CONFIDENCE in the economy must be returning as Mercedes-Benz finally catches up with the pre-recession bling championed by BMW’s X6 coupé-inspired SUV.

Some seven years after the big Beemer hit the roads and tested our ability to manoeuvre through truck width restrictions, its Munich rival has unveiled any even flashier concept in the form of its GLC Coupé.

But before you start thinking this concept is more ‘hip-op-and-happened’ than truly contemporary, the Merc is a whole lot smaller weighing into the crowded SUV market at just 4.73-metres long with a wheelbase of 2.83-metres.

Yet styling is classically ballsy muscle car with a twin-blade radiator grille, ‘powerdomes’ on the bonnet, a bellowing four-pipe exhaust system and enormous 21-inch hoops for wheels. It also boasts genuine off-road kit including front and rear underbody protection, increased ground clearance and side running boards.

To match its butch looks, there’s a V6 motor delivering 367hp and 520Nm promising a highly sporty level of performance. Straight out of the AMG sports bin comes direct-injection bi-turbo injection teamed with a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive.

In a statement the factory said it has room for this beefy little crossover within its model range so expect to hear about production models later this year.