Mercedes-Benz plans a rival for the Tesla Model X

Mercedes-Benz will unveil an electric SUV concept car at the Paris Motor Show in September, signalling its intentions to deliver a fleet of all-electric vehicles.

Autocar picks up the tip, saying that high-ranking insiders have described the concept as the company's "first step into a broad electric vehicle strategy".

The show car is currently being developed and undergoing construction at a Mercedes facility on the outskirts of Stuttgart and should resemble a near production-ready vehicle. It will provide a "clear insight" into how Mercedes' electric SUV will look.

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As for just when it will go on sale, Autocar says it's pitched for a tentative 2019 release - and will be followed up by a series of new electric vehicles, including a saloon to rival the Tesla Model S.

The cars would be new models – exclusive electric cars built from the ground up, compared to the firm's previous efforts, the electric B-Class, the Smart FourTwo electric drive and the older, all-electric version of the SLS supercar.

In total, Mercedes-Benz plans to deliver four brand-new electric cars by 2020.

Adding to this, Autocar also reports that the company is weighing up a potential entry into Formula E.

The likes of Jaguar have already outlined plans to join the sport in a bid to develop electric powertrains for future road cars and according to Mercedes marketing boss Ola Kallenius, the German marque could also be interested, so long as there is clear technology transfer from track to road car.

Mercedes currently dominates the F1 scene thanks to its V6-hybrid powertrain developed at the company's Northamptonshire outpost in Brixworth. An all-electric powertrain for Formula E could complement its current racing efforts.