Mercedes-Benz' new avant garde concept

The coupe has sinewy lines, striking indicators and a centre console flowing from the instrument panel. Photo / Supplied

Mercedes-Benz is using this week's Beijing Motor Show to reveal its move towards an avant garde design with its Concept Style Coupe.

The sporty four-door model highlights masculine looks with striking headlamps and innovative indicators while revealing the new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 155kW (211hp) and the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.

"The Concept Style Coupe is expressive and powerful in its design," said Dr Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management of Daimler and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

"This is the model against which sporty vehicles in the executive segment will have to measure themselves in future."

Among the coupe's most striking features are the way the bonnet with its powerdomes is set right into the front-end assembly, as well as its diamond-look grille, which follows through on design cues set by the Concept A-Class.

The paint finish of the concept vehicle is in Alubeam - which helps emphasise the sculptural quality of its lines.

The innovative headlamps of the Concept Style Coupe shine red when in standby mode while the indicators have individual points of light that light up in succession, like a piano keyboard.

Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side: the front structural edge over the wings flows towards the rear end in a characteristic dropping line.

Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third line extends upward in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. Together, these lines lend more depth and dynamism to the side profile. The ripple design of the prominent exterior mirrors takes advantage of the design freedoms enjoyed by a concept car.

A large panoramic roof creates a light and airy interior while a metal rib, the shape of which evokes a roll-over bar, separates the roof from the rear windscreen, which in turn flows down to merge smoothly into the tail end.

The avant garde lines of the car are further emphasised by the way the tail lights, with their metallic-red colouring, taper to a sharp point both to the front and toward the rear centre.

Inside the car, the instrument panel has a large carbon-fibre trim panel that spans its full width while standing out from the instrument cluster are the two tubes, similarly in carbon fibre and individually glazed. When the indicator is in use, a ring lights up in the tubes.

Flowing back in a long, continuous wave from the instrument panel is the centre console.

Embedded in this is an intricately designed fan module for the two rear seats, which also incorporates a stowage compartment.

The four integral seats with integrated head restraints are already familiar from the Sports version of the new A-Class. An electroplated insert in the upper part of the seat adds to the impression of lightness and is illuminated.

The Concept Style Coupe is powered by a 2-litre version of the new petrol engine generation with 155 kW (211 hp), combined with the efficient 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system and the seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

Among the highlights of the four-cylinder engine are its direct-injection system with exhaust gas turbocharging, an enhanced combustion system and multi-spark ignition according to need.