Mercedes-Benz entered the small luxury crossover segment in 2010 with the GLK-Class, which seats up to five people in two rows. Offered in GLK350 form with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and either rear- or all-wheel drive, it features recognizable Mercedes styling cues and available high-tech features. The GLK350 competes with luxury crossovers like the Audi Q5, Acura RDX and BMW X3. With its angular exterior styling, the GLK350 bears a strong resemblance to its big brother, the GL-Class. The GLK350鈥檚 large front grille is divided by horizontal bars, and in the middle is a large Mercedes three-pointed star. Upright roof pillars make for tall side windows, and the back of the crossover is finished with a liftgate spoiler and twin exhaust outlets. Models equipped with Mercedes鈥?optional Comand system have a knob controller on the center console that鈥檚 used to navigate menus on the 7.5-inch dash screen. Among knob-based control systems, Comand鈥檚 interface is one of the more intuitive ones available. The system鈥檚 screen can show things like radio station information and map data from the navigation system. For 2012, the media interface moves to the center console.
The experience of the GLK interior is simply superb, and will immerse you in comfort and luxury. It is finished with soft-touch materials, and possesses an intuitive and clean instrument panel, Burl Walnut wood trim, and 8-way power-adjustable front seats. Option packages abound for the GLK-Class. There is the available Premium 1 Package, which features items such as a power lift gate, panorama roof, and media interface. Or, the optional Leather, Lighting, or Interior Ambient Lighting Packages might be to your liking as well. The available Multimedia Package is tough to resist with a 7-inch color screen, navigation system, rear view camera, 10GB of space for your music, and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound if you also order the available harman/kardon sound system. Further, it boasts improved Voice Control for navigation, telephone and audio. Plus, the optional Lane Tracking Package gives you Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist. Standard safety features include 9 airbags, Automatic Brake Drying, hill start assist, and NECK PRO front headrests which move forward and slightly up to help reduce the severity of whiplash injuries.
It's hard to argue with half a million sales. Mercedes-Benz is putting on a brave face by suggesting the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK is arriving at a very opportune time. The time is right for a utility vehicle that combines fuel-efficiency with the daily practicality that Americans want from a utility vehicle and then adds Mercedes-Benz refinement. Still, the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK will have to do more than simply out-point the BMW X3 if it is going to make any worthwhile impression on buyers. It will also have to rise above the recently introduced 2008 Infiniti EX35 and the forthcoming 2009 Audi Q5, not to mention the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. As you can see, things just got a lot hotter in the market for premium compact SUVs. Relying on the same basic recipe used by BMW with the 3 Series-based X3, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK has been conceived around the existing platform from the third-generation 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
With its unit-body construction and compliant car-derived suspension, the GLK is the epitome of the modern-day SUV with a bias very much toward everyday on-road use. It does offer full-time all-wheel drive, however: an all-weather sort of system that nominally apportions 45 percent of the drive to the front wheels and the remaining 55 percent to the rear, with electronics taking care of stability and traction. Aesthetically, the GLK is a bit of a challenge. Departing from Mercedes-Benz's current design lineage, it is clothed in an unusually edgy body that draws inspiration from the German carmaker's iconic G-Class. The steep screens and sheer body sides throw up some unhappy angles at times. Still, neat detailing ensures the GLK looks expensive and gives an impression of robustness 鈥?something that shouldn't be underestimated in this class. At 178.3 inches in length, 72.4 inches in width and 66.5 inches in height, the GLK is a clear class below the Mercedes-Benz M-Class in size. By way of comparison, the BMW X3 runs to 179.7 inches in length, 78.2 inches in width and 65.9 inches in height.
Step up into the GLK and you're instantly aware that the interior packaging is different from most rivals. This is because the windscreen is mounted at a rather upright 58 degrees, compared to the faster 50-degree slope of the M-Class' windscreen. It is a layout that has necessitated a totally unique dashboard with a higher-mounted fascia than you'll find in just about every current Mercedes-Benz model save for the G-Class. With instruments and switchgear from the C-Class, however, it is anything but unfamiliar. Gripes about the quality of some of the plastic trim aside, the interior of the GLK is well thought out. The seating position is set 6.3 inches higher than in the C-Class, providing a reasonably commanding view of the road. Still, it is not so high as to leave you feeling detached from the action. Mercedes-Benz originally planned to provide the GLK with the same front seats as the C-Class to lower production costs. However, the more upright windscreen requires a more upright seating position 鈥?a major conflict. As a result, the GLK boasts uniquely upholstered seats in which the upper section of the backrest receives added padding to help promote a more upright posture.
No comments:
Post a Comment