Spy Shots: 2008 Mercedes GLK-Class

The camouflage makes this car hideous, I am assuming Mercedes will make this car look nice though. Merc NEEDS something to destroy the Acura RDX.

I can't believe Mercedes will make this SAV in flat black!!

that's what I was thinking when I saw this on another website.

They were going to use MLK, as "K" for mercedes means kompact. CLK and SLK are compact versions of the CL and SL. But MLK can be referenced to Martin Luther King, maybe thats why they chose GLK instead.

Because it will be cheaper than the ML (but not by much). And you will be able to get a fully loaded or rather nicely loaded competitor for the same price as a entry level/mid level GLK.

But you will be paying for the chance to drive around in a MB. Plain and simple. Does MB need to produce this car, is it absolutely necessary for them to capture another flooded market?

My thoughts.....no.

It will be a downsized GL/ML. It will have no more or very slightly more room than the X3, or SRX, or even GX to say and even I don't truly understand those.

But guarantee it will be all MB inside and out. Will it be worth the extra money compared to the many other SUV's in it's class, for that luxurious and elegant MB interior and styling....if your a MB fan, yes.

You know, with this GLk and the new S-Class, Mercedes is nearly as upscale as Buick.

I have a major interior styling issue per my comments below re Mercedes having put the wrong interior in both versions of the GLK. I also hate the fat spokes Mercedes put on the rims -- they are among the ugliest in the industry.

I have to see the wheels physically when the car arrives in showrooms and I hope the tires protrude out enough beyond the rim to protect the spokes from curb damage.

Toyota can't make enough Ravs, and every other factory is racing to put out a small SUV/SAV. Mercedes, BMW. Audi can charge a premium price JUST because their name is on the back. The GL is a hit and the GLK will follow in the GL's slightly larger tracks.

what will the point of the m-class be then???

it's like with Ford, I am not comparing though, don't get me wrong...you got Expedition, Explorer, and Escape... with Mercedes you got GL, ML, and GLK..

I've always hated the look of the rear of the ML Series. It appears that this smaller SAV will get its influence from the larger GL series. This is a very good thing!

I agree. The ML has never been particularly stylish.

The GL is a little on the generic side, but the GLK will undoubtedly be competitive.

But you might have to be more than just competent in an ever-expanding class.

Huh, who in their right mind would buy a car with windows covered up?

Does Mercedes need this model? No. Do they need to fill in yet another market in the great world of automotive? Hell no. Do they need to slap on AMG on yet another 'class?'. I sure as hell hope not. I'm a big Merc fan but MB don't need a car like this. If it's relatively priced the same as the ML, then what would be the purpose of the ML be? More power? well definately not more luxury. GL/ML/R-class interiors are basically the same layout. Why would it be any different in the GLK?

They do need it- and they need it simply because BMW, Acura, Audi, Infiniti, Volvo and even VW are coming out with competitors. Mercedes ALWAYS needs to have a car in the newest, trendiest segment- and that just happens to be the small luxury SUV segment.

And yes, GL/ML/R interiors are boring.

This is exactly the same as the X3/X5 saga, or at least the last-gen X5. If you optioned up an X3 to like $43K, why not just spring for the X5? The X3 is the stupidest vehicle BMW has ever built. 3 Series wagon just makes too much sense.

There is too much misinformation out there. I just looked at Mercedes' German site and they have a fantastic presentation on the GLK including a video that you can watch in English. It seems that the Freeside (off road model) is in matte white (not matte black) and the Townside (an urban model without the roof rack and lower by 50 mm) will be in some sort of blue exterior color.

I'm upset that the interior trim in the off road model really belongs in the urban model and vice versa. An off road interior should not have a silly artificial looking wood trim -- they would have been better off to offer the buyer a choice between brushed aluminum and dark walnut wood in either model -- I don't know what Mercedes designers are smoking these days but it ain't the right stuff.