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Mercedes previews GLC crossover coupe concept for Shanghai

Say what you will about slant-backed crossover coupes: if the industry has learned anything from BMW and its X6, it's that they're popular... and profitable. Little wonder, then, that Mercedes followed suit with the release of the GLE Coupe. And now it appears set to follow the lead set by the BMW X4 as well with a smaller GLC Coupe... at least, that is, in concept form. Previewed in this latest teaser rendering is the Concept GLC Coupe, a design study which Mercedes is set to present at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. The statement that accompanies it (which you can read below) doesn't tell us much, except to say that it is "near-production-standard" – which is to say that it stands a strong chance of reaching showrooms. As it is, the GLC with a conventional roofline is set to take the place of the GLK in Benz's expanding crossover lineup. The emergence of this concept ought to preview that new model's styling, regardless of how steeply its roofline tapers off towards the back. The Shanghai show is, incidentally, the same venue Mercedes originally floated the idea of its smallest crossover with the presentation of the Concept GLA two years ago. And as we all know, that subsequently entered production – in a form closely following that of the concept. So we wouldn't be surprised to see a GLC Coupe emerge in close proximity to its more conventional counterpart (maybe even before), heavily influenced by the show car we'll see later this month. Related Video:

2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris hits US in October, priced from $28,950*

A Mercedes is hardly what we'd call a budget proposition for most, but everything being relative, what's the cheapest Mercedes you can buy in America? That used to be the C-Class, but not at the $40k it's pushing these days. The CLA or GLA start at over $31k, so one of those must be it... right? Keep trying. And the Smart Fortwo doesn't count. No, the most cost-effective Mercedes you can get in America is the one you're looking at here. It's the new Metris van, and it starts at just $28,950 (*plus a $995 destination fee). Joining the Sprinter (which starts at upwards of $35k), the Metris is Benz's new midsize van – filling a niche in between small vans like the Nissan NV200 or Ford Transit Connect and fullsize ones like the aforementioned Sprinter. It's about as long as the Dodge Caravan-based Ram C/V, but narrower, taller and with significantly more payload and cargo space. Mercedes calls it "right-sized," and evidently hopes commercial drivers and fleet operators will agree. Now if you've never heard the name Metris, you were probably distracted by all the glitz and glamor when Mercedes presented four of them at the SEMA show late last year. But that's alright, because it's a new nameplate: it's essentially the same as the Vito sold overseas, where it will continue carrying that same name, while being sold in North America as the Metris. Both cargo and passenger versions will be offered, the latter starting at $32,500 (plus that $995 destination fee). Power comes from a four-cylinder gasoline engine driving 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. It's also got all the electronic bells and whistles you'd expect from a Mercedes, including fuel-efficiency and safety equipment – but stopping short, of course, of the luxury features. This is not that kind of Mercedes, and the luxed-up V-Class version offered overseas won't be making it Stateside. The Metris is being showcased this week at the NTEA work truck show in Indianapolis, with deliveries set to commence this coming October through a network of over 200 Mercedes van dealers across America, who will offer it alongside the larger Sprinter. MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS MIDSIZE COMMERCIAL VAN MAKES ITS DEBUT AT NTEA WORK TRUCK SHOW - "Mercedes-Benz Metris": The next big thing is mid-sized. - Introduction of the "Mercedes-Benz Metris" nameplate for the U.S.

Driving the Kia K5 and Mini Cooper JCW GP, plus an interview with Jimmy Chin | Autoblog Podcast #637

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and News Editor Joel Stocksdale. They veer off right away into talking about their dream project garages. Next up is news, including some info on the next Nissan Z car, the Honda Fit being discontinued in the U.S., new Mercedes-Benz EQS details, and some talk about the new, electric GMC Hummer being adapted for the military. Then they talk about driving the new Kia K5 sedan and the Mini Cooper JCW GP, before they opine about the 1966 Pontiac GTO. Autoblog Senior Producer Chris McGraw interviews Oscar-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin about his collaboration with Ford for the Bronco reveal, and more. Finally, our editors help a listener in the U.K. pick a used vehicle in the "Spend My Money" segment. Autoblog Podcast #637 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Some thoughts on project cars News Nissan suggests the next-generation Z won't be electrified at launch Fit Is Gone! Honda drops subcompact hatch in U.S. Mercedes-Benz announces the electric EQS will offer over 435 miles of range GMC's electric Hummer could someday serve alongside the Humvee in the U.S. Army Driving the 2021 Kia K5 Driving the 2020 Mini Cooper JCW GP 1966 Pontiac GTO: Love it or hate it? We talk Ford Bronco and other adventures with Oscar-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: