Officially Official: Mercedes calling new CUV the GLK
Is this the new GLK? While not an official shot, many seem to think so.
Well, we suppose MLK might have confused some people (and might have resulted in some lawsuits out of Atlanta). Mercedes has instead announced that its new compact CUV will officially be called the GLK. This new German-built crossover will debut in Europe late next year, with U.S. sales following in early 2009. M-B is said to favor marketing it as a compact SUV rather than a CUV, however, and apparently has butched it up. A boxy, but disguised prototype was shown to journalists recently who said it is much smaller and lower than a GL. The interior was uncovered and showed two-row seating, "white leather seats with black piping, black wood trim, the Mercedes COMAND-Plus single-knob controller for many electronically controlled functions, and a screen in the dash for a navigation system." The prototype was probably a high trim level, we guess. Guesses on pricing, however, put it under $40,000 to match the BMW X3's $38,775 starting price and fall far enough below the M-Class MSRP of $44,425. Predictions are that we'll see the GLK-Class debut in Detroit next January.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Don 2:35PM (8/08/2007)
I can't believe the X3 starts at $38k...ouch.
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Heydn 5:07PM (8/08/2007)
Talk about boring. I thought the GL was bad...
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RicardoHead 2:45PM (8/08/2007)
GLK = German Loser Kruizer.
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Mike 3:09PM (8/08/2007)
HA HA HA HA HA AH AH AH!
On a side note, if it ain't a G-wagon I'm not interested...
bri 8:00PM (8/09/2007)
Are these on the same platforms as the Chrysler Aspen and Jeep Cherokee? Sure looks similar.
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realitychk15 2:56PM (8/08/2007)
it looks like a mercedes (chrysler) pacifica
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Tool 2:57PM (8/08/2007)
The new GL 450 is a terrific vehicle that is equal in every way to the King of the Hill Range Rover. (Except maybe in cache)
If Mercedes can translate that success to the compact SUV segment, then it can grab some significant share.
Now freed of Chrysler, I'd keep my eyes on Mercedes doing some great things.
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AMGoff 6:01PM (8/08/2007)
"Now freed of Chrysler, I'd keep my eyes on Mercedes doing some great things."
Other way around pal.
Appropriate name, btw... you'd have to be a tool to think that. Who do you think was running that company for the past decade? If anything, without the Chrysler Group helping to bolster Mercedes bottom line I'd put my money on seeing less and less good things from Diamler. If they keep up with crap like this they won't even be able to remain the niche player they once were.
Chris Vitale 2:59PM (8/08/2007)
yawn.....
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justin 11:07AM (8/09/2007)
White leather? Gross!
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Max Merak 1:25AM (8/09/2007)
Do we need another one of these?
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why not the LS2/LS7? 4:36PM (8/08/2007)
Great another SUV. Won't this stupid domestic automakers wake up and realize they're destroying our Earth? They need to take some cues from the Japanese and European makers...
Oh wait...
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Richard 6:16PM (8/08/2007)
Why don' t they call it "Mein Tribute"
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Will 7:05PM (8/08/2007)
The name GLK is obviously marketed to wannabe rappers who will soon refer to it as their "glock."
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SocalObserver 7:15PM (8/08/2007)
The only way this vehicle might be relevant is if it somehow causes every hearse-crossed-with-a-manatee R-class ever produced to disappear off the face of the earth.
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Guenther 9:39PM (8/08/2007)
A midsize/small cross-over is just not deserving of the letter G. Those big tanks were at least good for something.
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