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Mercedes is no stranger to quirky and odd-looking test vehicles. More than one has left us scratching our heads wondering what Mercedes is developing, and its newest mule is no different. Our spy photographers captured this mysterious, high-riding Mercedes C-Class cold-weather test prototype, and it’s not your typical test vehicle.
The body of the C-Class W204 stands out in the high-riding chassis for being so old. The W205 debuted for the 2015 model year, so the vintage sheet metal of this test vehicle is a bit odd. Adding to the sedan’s quirkiness are the riveted black wheel arches, mismatched wheels, reworked side skirts, and light bars above the windshield. Looks like someone’s homemade aftermarket creation.
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A photo below of the rear of the car reveals a lot of congestion around the rear suspension. It’s fatter than you’d expect. It’s not clear what this test vehicle is for, but Mercedes does offer a lineup of small crossovers.
It could be an early prototype for the next-generation GLA- or GLB-Class crossover, or it could be a tiny G-Class baby, according to our spy photographer. Rumors of such a model date back almost a decade, and the big G-Class is selling well right now. The next-generation GLC is already in development, which only adds to the mystery surrounding this vehicle.
This isn’t Mercedes’ first wacky proportions test vehicle. In 2019, the body of the short-circuited E-Class sedan concealed the two-door SL-Class. The narrow rear passenger door reveals it. A year later, in 2020, Aston was caught hiding a DBX mule with an AMG E63 sedan body. The excessive dead cat space between the wheels and the wheel arches is similar between the prototype DBX and the new C-Class.
While the GLA and GLB are popular crossovers for the brand, they don’t embody the toughness associated with the G-Class. A smaller off-road-oriented crossover would be an excellent addition to the Mercedes lineup, especially as off-road and crossovers remain popular.
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