Mercedes-Benz GLK concept: first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

03 January 2008 15:03

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the concept that isn’t really a concept. This is the Vision GLK Freedside study, or if you change the wheels and some trim details, the new GLK.

To be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in mid-January, the (ahem) concept previews Merc’s BMW X3 competitor. However, the GLK will only be a competitor to the X3 on the Continent because Merc’s new 4x4 won’t be coming to the UK. The GLK’s four-wheel drive system is left-hand drive only, and Mercedes doesn't see any economic benefit in making the conversion to right-hand drive.

Indeed. The boxy shape is supposed to remind potential buyers of Merc’s 1980s robustness, and the fact that nothing soldiered on like the Geländewagen. The GLK’s names alludes to that; the G refers to the mud plugging, the L to luxury, and the K apparently signals the car's compactness… Well, it’s shorter than a BMW X3, but it’s not exactly small at 4.52m long.

But to the luxury, and the GLK concept features Merc’s Command entertainment system, twin headrest-mounted screens, and three-zone air-con. There’s also (deep breath) matt, anthracite-coloured cebrano wood with white grain. That’s fancy wood trim to you and me, and it splits the upper and lower parts of the cabin, which are trimmed in black and white leather respectively.

By Ben Pulman