Confirming rumours of an additional model for Tuscaloosa (Vance), Mercedes-Benz has named 2015 as the year when a new sports SUV will be added to the Alabama plant.
The new model, under development with the C292 codename, is expected to be called ML Coupé, MLC-Class or GLS-Class.
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C292 will effectively take the place of the R-Class – discontinued during 2013 – which did not sell at the levels that the company would have hoped for.
This big crossover should come with just four seats, though a five-seat configuration might also be available. Turbocharged V6 and V8 petrol engines as well as a V6 turbo diesel should feature. This model is expected to be the first for Daimler’s MHA architecture: a rear- and all-wheel drive platform for large SUVs and crossovers.
C292 was previewed by the Concept Coupé which was exhibited at April’s Beijing motor show. Daimler quoted the concept as being 4,935mm long, 2,208mm wide (with mirrors), 1,739mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,916mm.
