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NEWS
SPY PICS: Mercedes MLC 63 AMG
Three-pointed star takes aim at the BMW X6 M with its own take on the sports SUV-coupe genreMercedes-Benz previewed its upcoming MLC range via the Concept Coupe SUV at the recent Beijing motor show, and now the Automedia lenses have captured a test mule near the car maker's R&D centre in Sindelfingen.
Although swathed in funky camo, the basic proportions of the BMW X6 M-rivalling MLC 63 AMG are clearly evident in these images.
You'll notice the relatively short front and rear overhangs, high rump and low roofline vis-à-vis the ML that it's derived from. Also noteworthy are the trademark AMG cues, such as the single-bar grille, large lower air intakes, side skirts, 10-spoke rims and quad exhausts.
As with the ML 63 that it's spawned from, propulsion will come from a twin-turbo 5.5-litre that pushes out 410kW and 760Nm in base form, with the upsec 'S' version kicking out 430kW and 800Nm.
On paper, this will give the Benz a grunt edge over the BMW X6 M, which serves up 408kW and 680Nm.
Further down the track, it's believed the new M177/M178 family of engines destined for the likes of the new C63 AMG will also find their way into the MLC.
Created by mating together two M133 2.0-litre four-cylinders from the A, CLA and GLA 45 AMG into a V8, the new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 will eke out at least 350kW, while delivering far superior economy and emissions than the 5.5-litre thumper.
Drive will be relayed to all four wheels by the M-Class's standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive, but the MLC will sport Merc's new nine-speed automatic transmission to improve performance and lower fuel consumption.
No heavier than the existing seven-speed transmission, the nine-speed unit is destined to be slotted into all rear-drive Benzes in the next round of facelifts
The new sports SUV range is expected to launch in the second half of next year, but it may not be dubbed the 'MLC' as it's possible it may actually be referred to as the ML-Coupe or M-Class Coupe.
– with Automedia
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Written byGautam Sharma
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