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Mercedes-Benz to show the GLK at Detroit
By Yoann Besnard on 6 January 2008 | 
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Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the first pictures of the concept car it will display next week at Detroit. Called GLK Freeside Concept, the compact SUV is nothing else than the future GLK set to compete with the BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander and the future Audi Q5.
Ignore the dual tone paint scheme, the specific wheels and the integrated exhaust pipes, and you will get the GLK production version. With the GLK, the company is not a pioneer in the compact SUV segment. Thus designer's task was to ensure that the GLK wouldn't be mistaken for any competitors and to remind consumers that Mercedes was a pioneer in off-road vehicles. There was no better way than taking design cues from the iconic G-Class. Combined with latest company's design DNA, the GLK features a overall shape made of taut lines and expansive surfaces.
The interior of the concept car is also very close to the production version. The dashboard features an unsuccessful attempt to mix the traditional panel instruments seen in the '80s company's models with the latest technologies. At 4520 mm long, the GLK will sit below the M-Class and will likely be roomy enough for five passengers.
Despite an attempt to revive the G-Class' filiation, the GLK will likely be road-biased although Mercedes-Benz says it will “perform exceptionally in all conditions”. The GLK features the in-house 4Matic transmissions which has a 45:55 percent basic distribution. Under the hood, as reported in a previous post, the GLK will offer a complete engine range. The GLK Freeside Concept is powered by a turbocharged 2.2-litre diesel unit which comes with the Bluetec technology. It has an output of 168bhp and its NOx emissions are cut by 80%. It is hooked up to a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
The GLK will go on sale in Europe at the end of 2008 and will cross the ocean in 2009. Unfortunately, we won't see the GLK in the UK as Mercedes doesn't plan to build a right hand drive GLK.