Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes wants family of coupe SUVs

SUV boss confirms he wants a family of coupe SUVs and sees space for an upmarket Range Rover rival

Mercedes chief engineer for large SUVs has hinted that there is an opportunity for a family of coupe-shaped SUVs, following the design blueprint laid out by the Concept Coupe SUV, set to debut in Beijing later this week. He also expressed interest in apeing the Range Rover's success with a more upmarket model to sit above the seven-seater GL-Class

Advertisement - Article continues below

Speaking with Auto Express at the New York Motor Show, Dr Andreas Zygan said: "You saw how we developed the CLS and then the S-Class Coupe, and can apply this to smaller cars. The result has been a high percentage of new customers. This is something we can do with coupes and the SUV segment. In the end whether we build a car like the X4 depends on whether there's enough customers - you must be flexible to meet customer demands.

"People want new cars, people are obsessed with new things. Even if we don't know exactly what future holds, we have a modular platform strategy and out task is to develop new segments."

When asked about what made Mercedes' SUV strategy unique he added: "There is lots of choice, but if you want to be special it's about the design. Look at the iPhone, it's not just about functionality it's about the aesthetic and pureness of the design. The basic function of a car must be maintained, even one compromise and customer won't accept it, but the design needs to appeal emotionally."

With Land Rover pushing the Range Rover brand further upmarket, and new competitors like the Maserati Levante and Bentley's SUV on the horizon, Zygan conceeded that it was an area he is investigating. "If there are more competitors to GL, we need to react. There is definitely a market for those who want something exclusive, not just high-performance.

"There is no decision yet, we are analysing it all. It's interesting but a small segment. but our customers are expecting an answer - they want to be special."

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Kia EV9 named World Car of the Year 2024
Kia EV9 Air - front static
News

Kia EV9 named World Car of the Year 2024

It was more Korean success in the World Car of the Year awards this time, both Kia and Hyundai claimed wins alongside BMW, Volvo and Toyota.
27 Mar 2024
Fiery hot Genesis GV60 Magma Concept launches new name in EV performance
Genesis GV60 Magma Concept - front reveal
News

Fiery hot Genesis GV60 Magma Concept launches new name in EV performance

The GV60 Magma Concept will spawn a hot production car that will come to the UK
26 Mar 2024

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in
Skoda Enyaq iV - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in

Skoda’s family-friendly EV with 348-mile range is our Car Deal of the Day for 26 March
26 Mar 2024