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Rumormill: Mercedes BLK on the way
While there is a mad rush for automakers to make smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles for the U.S. market, many of the vehicles we crave are already available to European customers. Mercedes sells A- and B-Class vehicles were deemed too small for U.S. consumption. One product Mercedes doesn't have in either of its two biggest markets is a small crossover vehicle, but that could change in 2011. Autocar is reporting that Mercedes is looking to rectify its small crossover position with the BLK, which will be positioned to take on the BMW X1 and Land Rover LRX. If Mercedes does build the BLK, it will likely be on an all-new FWD chassis that will also accommodate the next-gen A- and B-Class, as well as other like-sized models. The guys and gals on team Benz were looking to strike a deal with another automaker to platform share, but talks apparently came up empty. Mercedes is still looking to partner up with BMW on engine development, which would help drastically reduce engineering and development costs. BLK engine choices are rumored to be between 1.6- and 2.2-liters, with direct injection gasoline and diesel variants.
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kumail891 5:39PM (8/20/2008)
ewww! and why? the x3 is bad enough, and with this, we can only now expect a x2 with a competitor, and x1 with a competitor...
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groves 5:43PM (8/20/2008)
The bacon, lettuce, and ketchup sandwich.
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Alvin 6:07PM (8/20/2008)
That would be the BLT, but I must say that it did sound a lot like some sandwich I would find on a BK or Mickey D menu...
ugg.tryptophan 6:18PM (8/20/2008)
@Alvin Bacon, Lettuce, and Ketchup; no Tomato. still, a fugly car
ChopperDave 6:24PM (8/20/2008)
Mercedes marketing: "America doesn't want a--oh, look, a MINI--premium hatchback--oh, look, there goes another one. And they hate small--is that a fleet of Honda Fits?--umm, small cars, especially ones with--huh, that's the 12th GTI I've seen today--hatches."
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ugg.tryptophan 9:49PM (8/20/2008)
ive also noticed an increase in gti sightings. i used to see about 1 a month, but now i see about 4 a day. then again, when your walking home you see more cars
dgduris 6:24PM (8/20/2008)
BLK...isn't that a burger from those Whopper guys?
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Duncan 11:02PM (8/20/2008)
No, they're that R&B group that P-Diddy put together on Making the Band. I think...
It's also proof that naming cars with letters and numbers can only go so far before it becomes somewhat meaningless. Long ago, these combos used to have a definition behind them (for example, SLK = "Sport Leicht Kurz").
And since we're looking at a shallow excuse for a motor vehicle, why not have a shallow excuse for a name to go along with it?
Justin 6:29PM (8/20/2008)
So huge wheels and a liftkit = more mpg? How about a sportwagon instead?
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3seriesisking 7:58PM (8/20/2008)
Dear Mercedes,
Please don't bring BMW into this debacle.
Thanks.
3seriesisking
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Duncan 11:05PM (8/20/2008)
Don't worry - they'll let Audi follow along instead.
Q3, anyone?
i_bet 9:41PM (8/20/2008)
whats gonna happen if gas prices go back down..everyone will driving these over priced vehicles with small engines,no horse power and no space/room in them?
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hankfidel 10:16PM (8/20/2008)
What if they had a BLK Black Series?
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Duncan 10:59PM (8/20/2008)
Is it just me, or do you hear Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz spinning rapidly in their graves?
M-B was a prestigious name at one point - but apparently, the good folks at Daimler have decided they'd like to set their sights much lower in the next century of their existence.
So congrats, M-B. Well done. You've finally built what the world has been breathlessly awaiting:
A better Kia Sportage.
And again, nice job destroying your once-proud brand name.
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Matt 3:22AM (8/21/2008)
Couldnt have said it better