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Next Mercedes GLK Won’t get an AMG Version  The Mercedes GLK-Class was unveiled back in 2008 and Mercedes is already planning the next generation for 2015. The model will be based on the next C-Class platform and rumors have been swirling about an AMG model for the first time. However, in a recent interview, AMG director of vehicle development, Tobias Moers, dismissed those rumors, suggesting that such a model does not fit on the market right now. Apparently, transforming the GLK into a real AMG model will cost a lot and such an investment makes no sense on the current market. Keep in mind, though, that things could change once Porsche drops the new Macan on the market. When asked about the new Audi Q3 RS, Moers said that Audi did not apply the right strategy and that the model does not deliver the right amount of power for an RS model. Translated, he does not think the RS Q3 would be a real threat for and SMG variant of the GLK-Class. Mercedes GLK Coupè will be Unveiled in 2016 Mercedes is preparing to expand its SUV lineup by at least two new models, according to previous rumors. Along with the new GLA already caught testing, it looks like Mercedes will also offer a Coupè version of the GLK. The model is internally known as the GLC and will be unveiled in 2016, right after the new-generation GLK arrives on the market. The upcoming GLK Coupè will be built on the company’s new MRA rear-wheel-drive platform and will be offered with a much sleeker and more stylish body when compared to the current GLK. Under the hood, you should expect both the 2.0-liter and 2.2-liter petrol and diesel engines, with an AMG version rumored to be powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 with an output of about 462 horsepower. The model will target SUVs like the upcoming Porsche Macan and will be put on sale at a price of about £29,000 ($46,000 at the current exchange rates) in 2016. It is still unknown if the GLC name will make it to production or if it will be called the GLK Coupè. 2013 Mercedes GLK-ClassThe Mercedes GLK went on sale in 2009 and after a few years on the market, it was just about due for a facelift. The final production model of the revised edition was caught testing various times, but Mercedes finally unveiled the new GLK ahead of its official debut at the 2012 New Your Auto Show. Sales will begin later in the Summer 2012, with the GLK350 being the first one to be offered on the market. A GLK250 BlueTEC model will arrive in early 2013. The new 2013 GLK received a few exterior changes that make it look even more aggressive and dynamic, along with the use of better quality materials, new equipment, a fully redesigned trim, and a new infotainment systems. Mercedes is offering nearly 1,000 new parts in total, parts that help the GLK offer outstanding driving dynamics, excellent safety, and superlative ride comfort. The GLK350 is powered by a fuel-efficient 3.5- liter direct-injection V6 gasoline engine generating 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 130 mph. UPDATE 03/22/2012: This review has been updated with the official images and details of the Mercedes GLK-Class. Hit the jump to read more about the new 2013 Mercedes GLK. Full story First Drive: 2012 Mercedes Benz GLK 350
In the world of mid-size mom mobiles, style is often a hard thing to find. When you examine the field most fit in the background as opposed to the centerfold. As Benjamin Franklin once said "A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body." Most of the luxury mid size SUV’s fail to deliver this food and fire to the consumer. This precedence of indifference ended when we walked to the parking lot and gazed at the 2012 Mercedes Benz GLK 350. What struck us about this is the graceful angles of the GLK that set it apart from the rest of the field. Although the GLK has only been in production since 2009, it has taken lessons from others in the field. The interior looks like it can stand up to your Lab and yet also haul the kids to school in the morning. The teflon interior is very comfortable which makes that early morning commute with kids in tow that much more bearable. On top of all this utility, you actually get some sport in your SUV (imagine that!). The GLK makes the most mundane tasks like merging onto the interstate quite fun. When you press the loud pedal you are pleasantly surprised and the engine emits a raspy bark akin to Tom Waits impersonating a seal. More details on the 2012 Mercedes Benz GLK 350 after the jump. Full story 2011 Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car by Renntech
Three years ago at the 2008 SEMA auto show, noted tuning firm RENNtech, together with Mercedes-Benz, unveiled the GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car where it subsequently won the 2008 SEMA Show tuner build-off competition. The vehicle’s amazing debut at SEMA resulted in it becoming one of the most-sought after performance-modded racers in recent times, appearing in countless automotive trade shows while also partaking in a number of track events and extensive real world driving miles. This year, the car is finally serving its last legs and to give it the fitting swan song it deserves, RENNtech, together with its partners, decided to give it a complete styling overhaul in time for its last tour-of-duty with Mercedes USA here in the US. The first leg of the tour was held at the Pittsburgh International Automotive Show a few weeks ago where the revamped GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Project was officially unveiled to the public. From Pittsburgh, the award-winning vehicle will make stops in a number of US cities, including Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Denver. As soon as the tour concludes, RENNtech’s masterpiece will officially be enshrined as a permanent collection at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Vehicle Museum in Irvine, California, making it the second RENNtech-tuned work to be officially designated with this honor. In the meantime, keep checking out RENN-tech’s website to find out the tour schedule for GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car. It might end up in your city so you better be prepared to give it a warm welcome. UPDATE 03/10/2011: Renntech has revealed the first video of their GLK350 project which shows both the exterior and interior of the vehicle. Check it out after the jump! Details on the Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car by Renntech after the jump. Full story Mercedes prepares diesel GLK for the US market
While most of the manufacturers are considering hybrid and electric vehicles, Mercedes is considering a diesel version of the GLK crossover for the US market. During an interview at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz USA President Ernst Lieb said: "We’ve got the GLK coming. And the next-generation C-Class sedan will share the 2.2L 4-cylinder clean-diesel engine that bears the brand’s Bluetec trademark. The C-Class will feature diesel availability right from the start when it arrives in 2013." The E-Class will also get a new diesel engine starting 2011. All of these new engines will include Mercedes new BlueTec technology. You can see that Mercedes has big plans for diesel engines in the US market: "Overall, our goal is to be somewhere in the range of 15% to 20%,” he says. “And we’re slowly growing this." This is quite an impressive move considering Mercedes recently had to recall about 2,300 2011 diesel models, including the M-Class, GL-Class, E-Class, and R-Class, due to leaky fuel filters. 2010 Mercedes Benz GLK 350
The Mercedes Benz GLK is the German automaker’s entry into the compact crossover segment and with its swept back two box body, the new CUV is clearly derived from the rugged G Wagen, offering the same bold features that made the mighty Geländewagen so popular, except in a much smaller package. We joked about how our Mars Red GLK 350 looks like a red hot roller skate with its optional oversized 20 inch alloys pushed to the far corners of its chassis, but the GLK is certainly nothing to laugh about. The GLK offers new car shoppers a luxurious option when looking to buy into this new segment. Despite its compact nature, our out of this world GLK has styling to spare and is a welcome addition to the Mercedes Benzlineup. The GLK’s size not only makes it easy to park, but also quite maneuverable in traffic and combined with the safety of 6 airbags, makes it a great choice for new car buyers. The inside of our GLK 350 features an Almond/Black Leather interior along with the Full Leather Seating Package that, as the name suggests, includes cow hide derived upholstery and a leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel as well as elegant Burl Walnut trim to go along with the standard brushed aluminum pieces. The infotainment system is made up of a Harman/Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system that will play everything from MP3s being stored on an iPod to Sirius Satellite radio as well as a hard drive based navigation system and a 7 inch LCD screen to let the driver in on all that is going on. The GLK 350 is powered by a 3.5 Liter V6 sending 268 HP straight to the rear wheels through a seven speed automatic transmission allows the GLK to accelerate smoothly and get an estimated 16 MPG in the city and as much as 22 MPG on the highway. This sporty red GLK is a more affordable alternative than the last one we saw, especially when you consider the $3,150 Premium Package that includes just about power everything at a savings of over $1,200 if purchased separately. Tack on a very reasonable $970 for the brushed roof rails and plus sized wheel and tires amongst a few other items, this $34,600 GLK added up to a nicely equipped $45,645 premium CUV. Continued after the jump. Full story Video: Brabus GLK V12 at NardoJust last week we brought you details about the Brabus tuned GLK V12 and its claim at being the fastest SUV in the world, well today we have the evidence to back it up. The German tuner started off by taking one of Mercedes Benz’s luxury rides and shoehorning one of their red and black specials known as the SV12 R Biturbo 750 power plant under the narrow confines of the GLK’s hood. The result is a compact crossover that makes 750 HP from a V12 being fed compressed air by a pair of snails sending 995 lb-ft of torque to the wheels. The complete package is good for a 0 to 60 MPH sprint time of only four seconds and a top speed of 211 MPH. Watch and enjoy. Brabus GLK V12
Brabus has done it again, the German tuner has taken one of Mercedes Benz’s luxury rides and shoehorned one of their red and black specials known as the SV12 R Biturbo 750 power plant. We have gotten to know the GLK quite well over the past year, and as good of a compact crossover as it is, we always felt a bit feminine behind the wheel. However knowing that there is a 750 HP V12 being fed compressed air by a pair of snails sending 995 lb-ft of torque to the wheels and the fact that you can now go from 0 to 60 MPH in only four seconds and reach a top speed of 211 MPH, making the Brabus GLK V12 the fastest street legal SUV in the world.  Now before GLK V12 the only other baby Benz that we deemed to be manly enough for daily use was the rally racer built by Renntech. But Brabus’s black on black treatment along with wider arches at all four corners, louvers in the hood and vents in the fenders go a long way towards the night and day transformation that the GLK received and can be yours for 397,000 Euro. Press release after the jump. Full story Initial thoughts: 2010 Mercedes Benz GLK 350
A familiar face just rolled back into the Top Speed garage, but unlike the fully loaded chrome clad bright white baby Benz this GLK is more of a red hot roller skate. You could never imagine how much a color change and a few less options can completely transform the way the compact crossover looks. Aside from the Mars Red paint and lack of running boards this is the same vehicle that we had before, minus a few pricey interior amenities. However the little G Wagen looks less like an off road luxury vehicle fit for a diminutive South American import/export specialist and more like a sporty crossover, and yes with its 20 inch rims pushed far to all four corners and the swept back two box body it is hard to deny the roller skate similarities.  The inside of our Mercedes GLK comes equipped with the $1,750 for Full Leather Seating Package that obviously includes the seats incorporates a leather wrapped steering wheel an Burl Walnut trim which we think is well worth the expense. This time the front buckets don’t have oversized monitors hanging off the backrests, and it is honestly a bit easier on the eyes, but the German design team did leave the dual glass sunroof which goes a long way towards opening up the GLK’s interior. Keeping occupants informed and entertained is a $3,350 Multimedia Package that includes everything from a rear view camera to the Logic 7 DolbyDigital Surround Sound system and a $300 iPod interface.  Powered by the same 3.5 Liter V6 that came in our last GLK350, but unlike mini Pablo Escobar’s four wheel drive Mercedes the roller skate strictly sends power to the rear wheels. As most SUV owners won’t ever take their vehicles off road it shouldn’t be an issue. This does mean that the power plant can send all 268 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque to the drive wheels more efficiently. This sporty red GLK is a more affordable alternative to the last one we saw, especially when you consider the $3,150 Premium Package that includes just about power everything at a savings of over $1,200 if purchased separately. Tack on a very reasonable $970 for the brushed roof rails and plus sized wheel and tires amongst a few other items, this $34,600 GLK added up to a nicely equipped $45,645 premium CUV. | Mercedes GLK-Class latest reviews:Mercedes GLK-Class tuning:
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