Senior members of the Mercedes-Benz engineering team would like the company to build a convertible version of its new GLC Coupé SUV, to rival the drop-top Range Rover Evoque.
Speaking to Autocar, Michael Kelz, chief engineer for the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Mercedes-Benz CLS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, said the rise in popularity of drop-top SUVs made a GLC Cabriolet viable and that he was a fan of the Evoque Convertible.
“It would be fun, and it’s actually not that much of an engineering challenge,” he said.
However, Kelz said that at present there was no space in the Mercedes line-up for such a model and for it to built, another model from the range would have to be axed.
The GLC Coupé, which would provide the donor car for any GLC Cabriolet, made its debut at the New York motor show last week and will reach the UK in September. The range will be topped by a GLC 43 Coupé model powered by a 362bhp twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine.
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@ahaus Probably haven't seen
I have no quaims about convertible SUVs, although they wouldn't be my first choice of car. If the standard hatch is being replaced by them (Qashqai outsold the Focus in Jan & Feb from memory), why shouldn't manufacturers try this? Lets face it, there will be more room for passengers, more space for the roofs etc
Why?
I'd rather see one of the gorgeous S-class 4-door convertible concepts come to market as a Maybach model. That would be a better fit for Mercedes' brand and probably more desirable, but definitely more attractive. We really haven't seen a production 4-door convertible for many decades, why not now?!