The first official pictures of the Mercedes Concept Style Coupe (CSC) have leaked on a German website ahead of its official unveiling at next week's Beijing motor show. The CSC previews Mercedes' upcoming CLA saloon, which is tipped to go into production in 2013 priced from around £19,000.
The pictures reveal the CSC sports styling inspired by the larger CLS. It evolves the look of the F800 concept from 2010, which has led the way for Mercedes' latest design direction.
Underneath, the concept is believed to use Mercedes' new MFA platform. This will also underpin the CLA production car, and has been seen so far on the A-class and B-class. Also planned to come off this platform is a small SUV called GLC, and a shooting brake version of the CLA.
The concept is claimed to be 4637mm long, which makes it 47mm longer than the current C-class. However, the next-generation C-class will grow in size, meaning the production CLA will still slot below it in Mercedes' product line-up.
Power for the concept is said to come from the same turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that appeared in the new A25 at the Geneva motor show in March. It produces 208bhp, the same as a Volkswagen Golf GTI.
