Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Parent company	Daimler AG
Production	2009-
Assembly	Bremen, Germany Mexico City, Mexico São Paulo, Brazil
Class	Compact luxury crossover SUV Compact
Body style(s)	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Engine(s)	2.2L CDI I4 3.0L V6 2.8L V6 3.3L V6 3.2L CDI V6
Transmission(s)	7-speed automatic
Wheelbase	108.5 in (2756 mm)
Length	178.2 in (4526 mm)
Width	79.4 in (2017 mm)
Height	66.9 in (1699 mm)
Related	Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLK (code name X204) is a compact crossover competing with the Infiniti EX, Acura RDX, BMW X3, Volkswagen Tiguan and Land Rover LR2/Freelander, as well as the upcoming Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Saab 9-4X, and Cadillac BRX. The model sits below the M-Class in the lineup. It is set for release in the United States at early 2010 and as informed by magazines, it should be wearing a price tag around $37,000, which is very close to one of its rivals, the BMW X3.

The GLK-Class was launched in 2008 and is built in Bremen (Germany), the first Mercedes SUV to be built there. Its design is heavily influenced by the GL-Class.

On 2008-01-12, actress Kim Cattrall (photos)appeared at a special unveiling ceremony at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, confirming that her Sex and the City character (Samantha Jones) would drive the SUV in the movie version of the popular TV show.

The GLK was presented for the first time in 2008 in Detroit under the form of the Mercedes-Benz Vision GLK Freeside concept.

MBUSA partnered with four tuners to develop custom designs for the newly released GLK for the 2008 SEMA show in Las Vegas. Boulevard Customs, Brabus, RENNtech, Leegendary Motorcar Company were the four tuners that had this unique opportunity to design their vision.

The GLK-Class shares the C-Class (W204) platform, and production plans continued after the demise of the similar Smart Formore.

Safety

Comprehensive restraint system for the best possible occupant protection

In combination with the front and rear deformation zones, the high-strength passenger cell of the GLK-Class provides a highly efficient foundation for the occupant protection systems. The intricate restraint system is capable of offering the greatest possible protection potential. As many as nine airbags are fitted, which are deployed selectively depending on the type of collision and its severity to reduce the forces exerted on the occupants eMercedesBenz said - The all-encompassing approach taken to achieving a high standard of safety evinces itself particularly clearly in the Integral Safety concept, that Mercedes-Benz has once again implemented in the new GLK.

Engines

• 2.2 L diesel I4 190 PS (187 hp/140 kW)
• 2996 cc V6 228 hp (171 kW)
• 3498 cc V6 268 hp (201 kW)
• 3.0 L diesel V6 224 PS (221 hp/165 kW)

Range

At launch in Germany, the car was offered in all-wheel drive only, though there has been media speculation of a possible rear-wheel drive only version.

The range at launch comprised:

• GLK 220 CDI - 2.2-Litre-I4 - 190 PS (187 hp/140 kW)
• GLK 280 - 3.0-Litre-V6 - 231 PS (228 hp/170 kW)
• GLK 350 - 3.5-Litre-V6 - 272 PS (268 hp/200 kW)
• GLK 320 CDI - 3.0-Litre-Diesel - 224 PS (221 hp/165 kW)

Gallery

GLK 350 4MATIC Front

GLK 350 4MATIC Rear