Mercedes Vision GLK FREESIDE & TOWNSIDE Concepts @ 2008 NAIAS

[coolraoul]

LOL...you'll have to consult Wimmer on diesels. We only get the 3.0L V6 here so its hard to keep up with all 4-cylinder variants. I would guess this is an all new unit due to big numbers it generates, seems like the previous models were kinda weak IMO.


M

Yes an all-new four cylinder turbodiesel for the 200/220 cdi, I read mid-2008 for the C-Class but it could be a bit later.
It is high time, the current 2.2 cdi is now about 350 years old and can't be said to be very economical compared to the Beemers...

 

[justanthony]

Yep, January of 2009 as a 2009 model is the current word. Seems like forever, but it will be here in no time. MBUSA is getting ready for 2 important launches this year, the facelifted SL and the 50-state diesel blitz.

M

It's looking like diesels are all set to 'fly' in the states. Which is great for the US for in a sense they don't kno wht they been missing. The progress made on diesels here in europe is monumental compared to wht the states were used to back in the day. I know gas is relatively cheaper in the states but even they are being affected by upward prices. Is there real potential for sustained diesel growth or is it a faze u reckon merc1? You ARE our on the scene USA correspondent u know!

 

[Merc1]

Is there real potential for sustained diesel growth or is it a faze u reckon merc1? You ARE our on the scene USA correspondent u know!

I think so. Between BMW's obviously serious performance bias with diesels and Mercedes' efficiency slant I think the U.S. car buyer will catch on. I don't expect skyrocketing diesel sales, but instead a slow but steady swell of interest and sales. BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Honda all have plans in place to lauch diesels before the end of year so we'll know by spring of 09' if they are indeed catching on. The informed buyers will purchase those with their heads stuck in the sand of the 1980's diesels won't even glance which is a shame, but that is how the American consumer is.

There are 2 vehicles in particular I will be watching, the 335d and GL320 Bluetec. They'll be joining an already hot selling series for their respective makers so the take rate for the diesel will be interesting to watch, especially in California. The GL320 CDI is already decently popular in the current 45 states in which it can be sold.


M

 

[PanterroR]

So will Dr. Z have a role in the Sex and the City movie?

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Nope, he's marrying Kim apparently:

She likes those mustache wearin' mofos!

 

[cawimmer430]

Just read this report about this diesel engine for the glk and apparently other models. This would be an all new unit right? Haven't really heard anything about all new merc diesels. Have i missed something guys? If so how do those numbers compare for the class 2.2l diesels? Where's our techies? Wimmer, Rob, Merc 1.....?

Well the most common smaller diesel in Europe is the old 2.2-l 4-cylinder that is available in the C200 CDI, C220 CDI, E200 CDI, E220 CDI and CLK220 CDI. It currently makes 136-hp and 270 Nm of torque in '200 CDI form and 170-hp and 400 Nm in '220 CDI form. 369 lb/ft of torque translate into 500 Nm, so it basically offers 100 Nm more torque than the C220 CDI. That is impressive.

The A and B-Class diesels aren't worth mentioning here. You have the A/B160 CDI, A/B180 CDI and the A/B200 CDI.

 

[cawimmer430]

Nope, he's marrying Kim apparently:

She likes those mustache wearin' mofos!

And he apparently likes ugly women!

 

[PanterroR]

And he apparently likes ugly women!

Don't give me that ...

 

[cawimmer430]

Don't give me that ...

Not a big fan of Kim. There are way hotter MILF's out there.

 

[warot]

Eeek...look at the exhaust tips. Don't worry I just called Studdergart and they won't make production.

So there will be 2 versions, one for on road and one for off. Nice. This is really going to be a hit. Kinda makes you wonder what the ML's life will be like. People are going to see GL and GLK, suddenly "ML" doesn't fit. ML + facelift = needed right away.



I guess this isn't too bad for a squared off, boxy SUV, but it still needs wood on the right side in front of the passenger, around the center console surround and most of all beige or cashmere trim plastics. I'm getting tired of German charcoal bins being passed off as "interiors".

M

That dark grey one looks a hundred times better than the white one. This must be one of the few times a new car from this era does not look good in white.

Also, I never want to hear how BMW interiors are cold... if you looked up cold interior in a dictionary, this picture would show up. I agree that's supposed to be a Utility car, but that is a bit over the top

 

[bmer]

Sorry for the OT but I can't help it, he always reminds me of a seal :

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[Merc1]

CAR's take on the GLK:


When the pictures of Mercedes’ new small SUV concept were shown prior to Christmas, there were plenty of pained expressions in the CAR office. To be honest, the cars look little better in the metal.

Aiming to draw inspiration from the iconic boxiness of the legendary G-Wagon and the more car-inspired sculptural curves of the huge GL-class, the resulting melange does no credit to either. It just goes to prove that good-looking parents don’t always make an attractive kid – or in this case twins.

Why are there two GLKs at Detroit?

Mercedes chose to unveil two Vision GLKs – Freeside and Townside – to show how the GLK could look in rugged off-road and sleeker on-road guises. Of the two, the white Freeside – all roof rails, bonnet bulges and ridged front and side skirts – looks the more convincing but both look too fussy.

This is especially apparent on the silver-coloured Townside in side profile where the rising feature lines almost collide with the flared rear wheelarch and the oddly oval-shaped door handle scoops jar with the straight lines elsewhere. The Townside’s thicker and flatter razorblade front grille looks needlessly brash too.

Remind me why the UK isn’t getting the GLK?

The official line varies. Some say the 4Matic powertrain wouldn’t fit in a right-hand drive version, others say that it would but is too expensive to re-engineer given the sales volumes (which seems unlikely given the huge success of this sector: X3, RX and now Tiguan and Q5) while some industry insiders have even suggested that the RHD Merc markets might not have put their hands up for consideration early enough and were ultimately not considered.

That’s no great loss. Only one final model will be made, with the details of the two concept cars potentially available as options. The production version will be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show in April and go on sale in autumn 2008 looking extremely similar to these ‘Visions’ models. Just remove the glitzy alloys, front grille and interior appointments.

UK Merc fans can look forward to a new-generation SLK also unveiled at Detroit, and arriving in British showrooms in April 2008. It features a restyled exterior, modified interior plus more powerful engines and lower CO2 emissions.

They say: The Vision GLK Freeside and Townside are set to take the world by storm.
We say: The Land Rover Freelander has little to fear.
CAR verdict: 2/5


Mercedes GLK at Detroit


M

 

[PanterroR]

2/5?

Aiming to draw inspiration from the iconic boxiness of the legendary G-Wagon and the more car-inspired sculptural curves of the huge GL-class, the resulting melange does no credit to either. It just goes to prove that good-looking parents don’t always make an attractive kid – or in this case twins.

 

[Merc1]

Rob is going to love this article.

M

 

[SDNR]

Marcus, do you really think I would gloat about this?

 

[Merc1]

Not gloat, but more like saying that a faction of the press shares your point of view on the GLK.


M

 

[SDNR]

^ Please .....they think the Freelander is great, I have little faith in their judgment

 

[CorpusCallosum]

In the end who cares what journalist think... Will this thing sell well is the real question??

Yes, i think it will! Because its a mercedes benz ... They should really offer it in right hand drive but ... They are leaving out a few worthy markets who could take well to this vehicle and it's styling !!!

 

[bum-man]

We say: The Land Rover Freelander has little to fear.

So I guess they were able to drive around the auto show floor to come up with that? And then comparing it to a Ford Escape. Seriously are the editers at CAR ******* idiots?

 

[martinbo]

CAR - once the classiest, most desirable automotive puplication in the world.

Reduced to fashion-magazine status through a series of management, editorial and design blunders. Several years back in its hey day, I used to buy one every month (in ZAR's - I'll have you know) and loved reading every page. Nowadays it seems like some form of syndrome compensation with CAR. Every opinion is just sooo erudite and controversial. Real cutting-edge stuff.

CARsmopolitan - that's all it is these days. And what a shame too...

[Of course, they'd be the first to give the world their verdict on the GLK...]

 

[Wolfgang]

CDN talked with Gorden Wagener about the Freeside.

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