Re: Mercedes BLK on the way? The lifespan of the Mercedes A and B class will soon be coming to an end, the poor effort by the automaker in their mid-cycle facelifts was enough evidence to realise that Mercedes had bigger plans for the bottom of their product portfolio. These plans include a small soft roader which is expected to carry the label BLK, it is due for launch at the end of 2011 and will slot into Mercedes' product line up below the GLK. It will battle against the likes of the BMW X1 and Land Rover LRX in the brand new premium mini-SUV segment. It is also expected Audi will join the party with their rumoured Q3. Mercedes are currently in discussions with BMW about co-developing the engines which would be used in both the BLK and BMW X1. A range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are set to be offered, starting from a displacement of 1.6 liters rising to 2.2 liters. Optional four-wheel-drive will be available but the standard model is likely to offer just a front-wheel-drive system. There is then the decision of what to do with the platforms of the current generation A-class and B-class. Rumours state up to three new models could be launched, one of these is expected to be a three door coupe based on the A class platform and there could even be an electrically powered model in the pipeline. Source : WCF + autocar
Re: 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLA: New Compact SUV This is very reminiscent of the GLK and GL. I don't know if creating smaller SUVs is the way to go for both BMW and MB. I'm more psyched to see car concepts than SUV ones these days.
Re: 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLA: New Compact SUV The Germans were late to the SUV party so they're the last to get rid of their SUV hangover. At least they're not building bigger and bigger ones like they would have done if things hadn't changed. Mercedes would have done a GL600 for sure and BMW a X7 xDrive60i. M
Re: 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLA: New Compact SUV ^ True. An X7 was on the drawing board.....€100 a day just to fill the tank
Re: 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLA: New Compact SUV smae as a BLK? Generally speaking, Germany’s three largest automakers do their best to match eachother segment-for-segment. When it comes to compact crossovers, it appears Mercedes, Audi, and BMW will carry on that tradition. With the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 on the way, rumors are circulating about a comptitor from Mercedes-Benz, tentatively named BLK. So far, the BMW X1 is the only such model actually unveiled to the public, but our recent illustrations of the Audi Q3 shouldn’t be far off the mark. With rumors heating up in the European press about a BLK-Class, we thought it timely to turn our focus to the Mercedes soft-roader. The next-generation B-Class will form the basis for the BLK, providing an all-wheel-drive chassis and engines ranging in size from 1.6 to 2.2 liters. Larger than its predecessor, the new B-Class will be offered with a choice of all- or front-wheel-drive. It’s not known if BLK buyers will have the same choice, or if they’ll have to settle for AWD. In terms of styling, the BLK will borrow its boxy look from the larger GLK-Class in an attempt to give the small vehicle a distinct truck-like appearance. Our illustration, seen below, offers a speculative estimation of the BLK’s exterior.
Re: Mercedes BLK on the way? Mercedes BLK (2011): the scoop By Georg Kacher (artist's impression by Radovan Varicak) 14 November 2008 10:50 Mercedes is readying a baby crossover dubbed BLK for launch in 2011. It's a small SUV destined to join the swelling ranks of junior premium 4x4s; the BLK will be aimed fair and square at the likes of the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. And the new BLK – as its name suggests – will be spun from the next-generation A- and B-class family. Think of today's B donning its wellies and a Barbour, and you're not far from the mark depicted by our computer artists. Insiders talk of a smaller version of the chunky GLK. The new B-class: hatchbacks, mini-MPVs and a baby SUV Merc wants to expand its range of small cars, so the replacements will be available in at least three bodystyles: a three-door and five-door hatch, and this BLK baby SUV have all been confirmed to CAR. Beyond that, there could even be a B-class coupe (think a shrunken CLS). It's not clear yet what will underpin the new family. Mercedes has been evaluating three different options that include a reworked version of the package beneath today's models and a new alliance with a third party. The BLK is likely to be available in two different trims, dubbed internally Street (for the majority of urbanites) and Nature (a toughed-up mud-plugging spec). So Mercedes' new BLK off-roader will be 4wd, right? You'd expect so, wouldn't you? But even that's not certain in these carbon-obsessed times. Mercedes sources claim that four-wheel drive will add 100kg to the kerbweight – and the engineers are struggling to contain the bulk of the range-topping 2.2-litre diesel which comes in at 1600kg in five-door form. Blame climate control, 18in wheels, dual-clutch transmission and AWD – ballooning the weight into VW Tiguan territory. However, the lightest B will be the front-wheel drive three-door on skinny 15-inchers and without air-con, which weighs in at a somewhat slimmer 1340kg. Hence Mercedes' concerns over equipping the BLK with 4wd... What about the engines for the BLK? At this stage, Mercedes is planning a wide range of familiar, C-class derived direct-injection powerplants for the BLK: • BLK 180 1.8-litre, 136bhp, 140lb ft • BLK 200 2.0-litre, 177bhp, 214lb ft • BLK 220 2.0-litre, 224bhp, 258lb ft • BLK 180 CDI, 136bhp, 200lb ft • BLK 200 CDI, 170bhp, 295lb ft • BLK 220 CDI, 204bhp, 355lb ft There will also be a mild hybrid and Mercedes is talking of a new eight- and nine-speed dual-clutch automated manuals. The ratio race continues! Source: Mercedes BLK (2011): the scoop | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online
Re: Mercedes BLK on the way? Fly little car.. Like the rimms.. I love the fact that MB seems to go the Expensive way as they call it.. And make the car in house.. Thats what its all about..imo
On ^that^ photoshop, I like the rear, hate the front. I question the need for this car, however. The GLK is the right size and also available with the right trims and engines to appeal to people in a model class below IMO.
Maybe it is going to be a real deal... spotted this a few hours ago... Sorry for the crappy pics, but this were taken with my cellphone...
Looks like a U.S. market Dodge Caliber with some Mercedes interior pieces. I'd say we're looking at Dodge not a real Mercedes prototype. M
Wow... thanks for the pics. That's extremely odd, especially considering that MB doesn't own any more of Chrysler and the mule is a Dodge Caliber.....:eusa_thin
