Mercedes-Benz will take the wraps off a new compact sport/utility model at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The little ute we'll see in Detroit will be a concept called the Vision GLK Freeside. The production version bows at the Beijing show in April.

"All the compact SUVs look exactly the same," said Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche, "and we wanted to be different." Mercedes definitely accomplished that. The GLK, codenamed X204, doesn't look like any other compact ute on the market; the edgy vehicle looks like a miniaturized Mercedes GL. At 180 inches long, the GLK is nearly two feet shorter than a GL.

The GLK rides on the new C-Class wagon platform, a car we won't get here. The GLK also uses the C-Class 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, splitting torque 40/60.

The car launches here in January 2009 and is set to compete with the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5. Two gasoline V6s (with 228 and 268 hp) will be available. Four- and six-cylinder diesels will be available in Europe; U.S. buyers will be offered a 224-hp CDI Bluetec. We also can hope for the mighty GLK63 AMG--likely to get a detuned AMG 6.2-liter V8 with the same 450 hp as the C63 AMG. Watch for that at the 2009 Detroit show.

The near-production Vision's five-seat interior looks funky, with white leather seats and black wood with white inlays.

This trucklet initially will be available only in left-hand-drive form, because of the driveshaft packaging. That means the GLK won't go to the United Kingdom, Australia or South Africa, at least initially. The word in Stuttgart is that a fix is on the way but probably not until 2010. Expect U.S. pricing to start at about $38,000.

Lil GL with BIG Attitude! I like it like that.

I continue to sustain my opinion:I like this car a lot!Though I am a little concerned by those small-looking exterior mirrors, which don't quite fit with the overall, muscular design of the GLK!I, for one, would prefer the mirrors from the C-Class, which look more proper for this GL Kurz!Otherwise, everything looks nice, especially the "glossy" interior!

WOW damn that interior is CRAZY..
to good for this class
in terms of looks

I've loved the interior ever since we saw the spy shot of it, and now I love it even more. The C-class interior doesn't stand a chance. It's flawless(don't like the Zebra inspired panel though):ic ondrool


$38 000 is less than the price of a C-class estate and more or less the same price as the C-class saloon. That's going to make it a huge hit. I have to say that the very American two tone Jefferson trim is not appealing at all.

I wouldn't get overly excited about the interior shot just yet as this is just a motorshow preview of the vehicle. The interior is obviously glossed up for this purpose. The two tone body is also ghastly as are those wheels!

At least they plan on offering it in RHD markets within 3 years, probably around face lift time. All initial production capacity should be easily absorbed by LHD markets.

The one thing I can't understand at the moment from Mercedes is why there interiors have to lack character and any real obvious sign of luxury appeal apart from the quality build they are going for. I mean. old schools bends were built like a bank vault and still looked amazingly well designed and luxurious. The current crop (C class and GLK and spyshots of upcoming E CLass) All llook like boxes. WHy can't they return to real form please with bank vault quality and an interior you step into and go 'holy cow', This is a mercedes benz and no one does it better!!!... That is sorely lacking in the current crop (S Class and CL are nearly perfect!!!! Why cant the rest follow that formula)

oh so this is a concept thingy..well that explain the fly interior..
damn i was hoping it was production

So they're still going to show a concept huh....I like it. This thing is going to be a hit for MB, but the ML may have to suffer in the process. Now
they'd better do the right thing and give the GLK the same 300hp V6 from the FL SLK350. I don't want read about 268hp anymore!

M

Looks like a Jeep, dressed & badged by Mercedes-Benz ...!