First confirmed in October of 2011, the first spy photos of a Mercedes-Benz MLC chassis testing mule have made their way onto the web, and our good friends at GMotors have them. The MLC Chassis mule was spied testing in Europe against a BMW X6.
The MLC will use a modified ML platform, and if you look a bit closer you can see that the rear axle of the ML mules has been broadened, and that the rear wheel cases have been modified as well.
Still in the early stages of development, we will likely not see full body prototypes of the MLC for some time.
In order for Mercedes to keep up with the competition from the BMW X6, the Infinity FX and Audi’s reported SUV Coupe dubbed the Q6, the MLC will be a redesigned ML with a coupe styled roofline.
When it goes to market, engine options are expected to be very similar to the ML-Class, including the top of the range AMG model, which will use a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 with up to 550bhp. The MLC is expected to arrive sometimes in 2014 and will be produced in Mercedes’ Tuscaloosa plant.
