Mercedes-Benz Vision GLK

At the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mercedes unveiled the Mercedes-Benz Vision GLK Freeside concept, an SUV that will be getting plenty of screen time when the Sex and the City movie debuts this summer. Starlet Kim Cattrall was on hand to help roll out the concept and many in the media showed up to witness this event.

Well, the Freeside concept is a “go” and the vehicle is expected to enter into production later this year, with the first vehicles available for sale in January 2009 as a 2010 model. It will be marketed with a much simpler name, Mercedes GLK Class, and incorporate most of the features show visitors saw including:

• Rear and all-wheel drive options.
• Standard engine will be a 268 hp. 3.5L V6 with a diesel engine also being readied.
• 19-inch 10-spoke wheels with 235/50 tires.
• Two-zone automatic climate control system.
• Ajustable steering column.
  Front seats with electrically adjustable height and backrest angle (including seat inclination adjustment) and manual lumbar support with two-way adjustment for the driver’s seat are all standard on the GLK.
• Standard integrated Bluetooth interface for mobile phones, a microphone for the hands-free system and a central 5-inch color display round out the list of interior appointments.
• Adaptive, two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger.
• Front side-impact airbags.
• Windowbags across both seat rows from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.
• Active head restraints for the driver and front passenger.

Projected fuel mileage for the gas engine could be a problem as the GLK will offer a projected 23 mpg. Look for a diesel option to be rolled out ASAP, even if diesel fuel prices remain much higher than gas.