Report: Mercedes working on an even smaller SUV, smaller than GLK

Pretty sad that Lexus fails to adapt to different markets and continues only to offer a small lineup with relatively no engine options across the range.

Lexus is playing catch up in Europe and the lack of smaller models and engines is one reason why they're flopping.

What we need is a smaller world population and not smaller vehicles.

ErichHartmann asks what is wrong with cloth seats. The answer is that most people wear cloth pants and similar materials rubbing together exhibit the highest degree of friction. It is easier to slide your bottom on a leather seat (even Mercedes Artico leather which is a decades-old proven durable material). On a long trip one can easily get tired of sitting in the same position all the time and that is why the seat has to be covered with a material that is easy to shift position on. This is especially true in the C-class which has overly firm seats.

Spellchecker001: Lexus are very very rare here in Brazil.They are known as Toyota luxury cars and their designs in general don´t suit the taste of Brazilians.Maybe if Toyota brought the ISF to Brazil their image would change a bit. Brazilians love the German cars : VW AUDI BMW Mercedes-Benz and Porsche

The S-class is the only luxury car that Mercedes makes and it is grossly overpriced in Canada. What sets the S apart from everything else on the planet are the front seats with their unique adjustments. Lexus tried to clone these seats but offered them for the driver only and Lexus came up short on seat cushions at their maximum length setting. Similarly, Lexus tried to clone the lounge rear seats of the LWB Maybach but again for one side only. I consider Lexus half a car.

By the way, Bentley Arnage RL offers optional front seats with an extra 50 mm of cushion length but at least one piece of Bentley information I saw stated that this option is not available in North America. In any event, the Arnage optional front seats have a fixed-length long seat cushion unlike the S-class Mercedes front seat cushion whose length is fully adjustable.

BMW and MB are basically German Toyotas"

Say what?

This is a perfect example of...you guessed it... FANBOYESQUE IGNORANCE

a model like that (smaller than GLK) would be a shame for a luxury brand. Looks like MB has no shame but is only after $$$.

What will it compete with? Suzuki, Dhaitsu....etc. Those are poor man's cars.

MB is ruining their name.

JUGNU

As Erich H. said, small premium cars are a trend in Europe. MB is not ruining their name. The Mercedes brand is known for offering luxury cars, commercial vehicles, buses, military-applicable and aircraft engines etc.

I would like to see your comments when the day comes where Lexus will offer such a car...

What image? BMW and Mercedes have an established image. Both these brands are something people aspire to own. They can literally do whatever they what since their image is top.

When Mercedes releases a new car it is seen as creating a new niche market. The Mercedes A class was the start of the subcompact premium market - or maybe that honor went already to the 190 series of the 1980s.

"They can literally do whatever they what since their image is top. "

Now u accepted it yourself. To u ignorants MB, BMW or all Germans...etc can do no wrong. They'll make arguably the ugliest car and will tell u that this is new style. This one got soul and character...etc and u'll belive them. U'll say that's the best design.

MB made a station wagon R class (as they knew some people will become blind after seeing the 3 pointed star badge) and called it's a new segment, GST.

They made A class, B class, Smart brand, Maybach and thought people won't question as "When Mercedes releases a new car it is seen as creating a new niche market"

i don't want to waste any more time. u guys won't change and so do we hopefully (the true all car's fans who says good to a good car and bad to a bad one).

a suv below GLK is 100% going to have negative effect on MB's image. Just imagine everbody driving one brand new Mercedes. Even in poor coutries there'll be tons.

"I would like to see your comments when the day comes where Lexus will offer such a car"

That day hopefully will never come. and after all Toyota and Scion is there for that.

JUGNU

I hate the R-class for one simple reason: it has the ugliest counterintuitive curve at the rear quarter window. The M is not much better. BTW, Mercedes is welcome to make any vehicle it wants, even an upholstered roller skate like the Smart. People are upwardly mobile and if you can catch them when they are poor with a competitively priced lower-end product of high-quality build, then you can retain them as customers for pricier cars when they get older, wiser and more affluent.