OREANDA-NEWS. Following a sales increase of 47 percent in the first quarter, Mercedes-Benz is setting out its stall at "Auto China 2014" for further growth in the Middle Kingdom. Two world premieres see the star shine particularly brightly at Asia's most important auto show - the phenomenally sporty Concept Coupe SUV is in keeping with the long tradition of large Mercedes coupes. The fascinating study combines on-road performance with the typical off-road competence of a Mercedes SUV.

The dynamic gallop through the year of the horse is being reinforced by the locally produced long-wheelbase version of the new C-Class, developed specifically for China. With eight more new models for the local market, as well as the expansion of the distribution network by 100 dealerships in 40 cities, Mercedes-Benz is laying the groundwork for increasing its sales to 300,000 units by 2015.

"The Chinese word for Benz is 'ben-chi' and also means 'gallop'. And that is exactly what we have been doing here in China - in keeping with the 'year of the horse' - since the start of the first quarter, which we have completed very successfully with a sales increase of 47 percent. Today, we are presenting a very special car; our Concept Coupe SUV demonstrates that Mercedes is still galloping in the fast lane," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at Auto China in Beijing.

This extremely sporty study impresses as a typical representative of the long-standing coupe tradition at Mercedes-Benz, with a flowing side line, stretched greenhouse and striking radiator grille with central chrome louvre. At the same time the Concept Coupe SUV stands out with its muscular wings, large wheel arches, imposing 22-inch wheels, high beltline and generous ground clearance. Its dynamic handling on the road is also on a superior level. Not only thanks to air suspension, but also to the networking of the powertrain, suspension and interior that it realises. The variable dynamic control system "Dynamic Select Control" provides four fundamentally different transmission modes and an individually programmable setup.

"Sensual as a coupe - visionary as an SUV," is the succinct choice of words used by Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz, to describe the physiognomy of the Concept Coupe SUV. The four-door, all-wheel drive Coupe has a length of almost five metres, and an imposing width of a good two metres thanks to its broad shoulders and flared wheel arches. At the same time it has a modest height of around 1.75 metres, exhibiting the flat, extended roofline that is typical of a sports coupe. "The Concept Coupe SUV stands out thanks to its extreme proportions and in doing so interprets our hallmark Mercedes coupe design idiom perfectly. With its superior sportiness it conveys a sense of modern luxury and aesthetic aspirations of sensual clarity", continues Gorden Wagener. Like the recessed door handles, frameless side windows blend perfectly into the vehicle flanks to accentuate the coupe-like character even further. In line with a tradition and like all recent study vehicles, the Concept Coupe SUV is painted in the "ALU-BEAM" paint finish, which is also reminiscent of the technically ground-breaking Silver Arrows of the 1930s and 1950s.

The coupe-like nature of the Concept Coupe SUV is also emphasised by the design of the rear end with its obvious elements of the design line first presented with the S-Class Coupe, which will be followed by all coupe models from Mercedes-Benz in future. The styling characteristics of this include the slim band of rear lights with their ruby-like, three-dimensional look and the registration plate now incorporated into the rear bumper. Another feature that has for generations distinguished the large coupe models from Mercedes-Benz is the typical shape of the rear window which is rounded off at the top. A discreet SUV reference is made by the simulated underguard into which the tailpipes of the dual-flow exhaust system are integrated. Polished aluminium predominates here, as on the integral door handles, the side sills, the front air intakes and the edging of the greenhouse.