Just yesterday an image of Mercedes-Benz’s GLK Freeside concept was leaked, but now the German automaker has officially unveiled the SUV ahead of its Detroit Auto Show debut later this month. The GLK Freeside is essentially a pre-production version of the upcoming GLK SUV.
While not the same model that will soon roll off Mercedes assembly lines, the Freeside concept should give a good indication of what the final product will look like. Just last month, spy photographer caught the GLK on the set of the Sex and the City movie.
The newest Mercedes SUV takes many of its styling cues from the larger Mercedes-Benz GL SUV. However, despite the GLK’s direct lineage to the big GL, it only measures about 3 inches longer than a Ford Escape.
Power for the GLK concept is sourced from Mercedes-Benz’s turbo-diesel 2.2L four-cylinder engine — rated at 168 horsepower. Shifts are provided by Mercedes’ seven-speed automatic transmission. The GLK’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive system has been reworked to reduce friction to levels to that of a two-wheel drive vehicle.
The new GLK will launch in Europe during the second half of 2008 with U.S. sales starting in a year.
01/02, 12:50 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
1998 called, they want their styling back.
01/02, 1:02 PM
posted by:
Jake1
Its a Suzuki with a M grill. Looks as inexpensive also.
01/02, 1:13 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Kind of looks like a Forester for the bikini wax set.
01/02, 1:33 PM
posted by:
Veda
Edgy without elegance. The new Merc lines don’t work well with some of their models. Looks very japanese except without the fuel economy.
01/02, 1:49 PM
posted by:
Scarface03
The A-pillar and back does conjure CR-V images. The front end also reminds me of the previous gen Lexus LS sedan.
Where does the GLK fit in the lineup? Does it complement or replace the ML-class?
01/02, 2:12 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
FREESIDE? do they have to use stupid ford f-names?
01/02, 2:14 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
I think the G series mercs have been around longer than the ML and they are just two separate entities.
01/02, 2:16 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
Agreed by the way on the f-names, that **** is weak.
01/02, 2:55 PM
posted by:
LP640
what the hell is up with manufacturers inbreeding different types of cars???? i expect that we’ll soon get a crossover between a convertible 4×4 that’s also a hatchback and a luxury limo.
01/02, 3:05 PM
posted by:
corvette
wow Acuras sure are getting expensive, wait thats a mercedes
01/02, 4:01 PM
posted by:
autonut
It is cute looking “trucklette” for my taste. GLK is slotted below ML in CR-V and RAV-4 category. Benz figured that is were the next battle will be fought in $4/gallon gas days. Suppose to compete with Tiguan from VW as well. Also, on paper VW has a pair of excellent motors for their mini-SUV, I wonder what will motivate GLK: I don’t believe Benz has a 4 cylinder certifies for US. Perhaps Benz will be a top dog with 3.0L V6 diesel.
01/02, 4:26 PM
posted by:
MY Si
^^LOL Corvette
01/02, 5:42 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
lp640 that was pretty funny.
01/02, 10:21 PM
posted by:
jonmiles
Wow, is there anything else MB is going to “leak”??
01/03, 1:04 AM
posted by:
Brendino
i’m seeing waaaaay too much highlander to accept this vehicle right now
01/03, 10:38 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
MB would love to see have Highlander number for sure Brendino lol. Like everyone else said, this looks too much like other cars, and not enough MB. A supped-up Forester is not worth paying MB pricing…
01/03, 10:39 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
sales numbers*
01/03, 11:10 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
…ooh, white interior. Ladies: don’t spill your Starbucks and make sure Buffy takes her cleats off!
01/03, 11:17 AM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
They should name it the Freeside. To disassociate the model with the rest of the M-B line-up. It will be easier to forget about it when they kill it in 2-3 years.
Where is there room on the M-B lot for this? Id fire a salesman that could not get a client to buy anything else on the lot but this.
01/03, 12:18 PM
posted by:
LP640
^ yes i think it means Kompact, but the GL is way bigger than this. It should be GLKK
01/03, 12:44 PM
posted by:
lyndon_h
terrible
01/03, 2:38 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
‘autonut’, you MUST be blind … or your taste in vehicles is NADA. There is nothing ‘cute’ about this thing.
01/03, 3:10 PM
posted by:
autonut
OK, I’ll it is not be “kompact” then it stands for kurtz as in .380.
01/03, 4:56 PM
posted by:
mbgg099
I don’t really like it but I don’t hate it as much as I hate the x3. The GLK’s interior is great though.
01/03, 5:26 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
Eh, the exterior dimensions look better on a Land Rover, IMO.
01/04, 10:07 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Not THAT bad, but I can think of several small SUVs I would rather own before this: the Acura RDX, the Pilot, even the Escape itself.
01/06, 3:57 PM
posted by:
BLISS
this is just a sneak preview fellows……the design is appealing. great job mercedes….the world’s greatest car-maker…..facts.