2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 - Exclusive First Drive

bankhead submitted on 06/09/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:32 PM
from: www.motortrend.com

Tags: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, Exclusive First Drive

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2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

Exclusive First Drive

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 - Exclusive First Drive

You can count on one finger the number of U.S. journalists who've driven the all-new 2010 Mercedes GLK350 compact SUV. I'm the finger. Mercedes engineers provided Motor Trend with an early introduction to their new BMW X3 rival at the SIP off-road test center in the Pyrenees mountains about two hours outside of Barcelona, Spain. Though the drive wasn't optimal (the special off-road package on the test vehicle won't be offered in the states), it did provide an early and revealing glimpse at this newest and smallest of Benz SUVs, headed our way in January.

"Smallest" is a bit of a misnomer, as the GLK isn't small. Compared with its larger ML sibling, the GLK rides on a 6.2-inch-shorter wheelbase and stretches 10 inches shorter in overall length. Yet at 4400 pounds it's still a bruiser. Chunky, GL-like styling (which doesn't translate well in photos) adds to the impression of size; the GLK is nearly as square-jawed as the long-gone Jeep Cherokee. The chiseled edges continue inside the cabin, resulting in a serious, almost severe flavor. The message is clear: Mercedes doesn't want its new crossover to be thought of as a "soft-roader."

In Europe, that'll be an easier case to make. There, an available off-road package adds underbody skid plates, long-travel springs, and specialized electronics that enhance the GLK's asphalt-free performance (still, the take rate on a similar package offered on the ML is only about 15 percent). Among the off-road features U.S. buyers won't be able to enjoy is Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), which when descending steep grades automatically maintains a preset speed -- from about 2 mph to 11 mph, adjustable with a column stalk -- without driver input (the system even works with the transmission in neutral). On the SIP course, muddy after a previous night's rain, the GLK proved quite capable, climbing steep grades, articulating over widely uneven surfaces, and maintaining its composure on slippery descents. While the special off-road electronics no doubt improved the GLK's performance (certainly requiring less involvement from the driver), for most conditions the full-time 4Matic system (with 44/55 front/rear torque split) would've probably sufficed on its own (4Matic will be standard on all U.S.-bound GLKs, though a rear-drive model is planned for the future). Read Article

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Peyton18 - 6/9/2008 1:52:03 PM

-1 Boost

lookin good, 100 times better than the X3 hopefully the C gets the more powerful 3.5 engine

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EnnNorak - 6/9/2008 2:12:38 PM

-4 Boost

My main complaint is lack of initial diesel option and late launch in North America. I had to turn in my leased A6 Quattro and bought a Passat 2.0T as an interim vehicle in the hope of eventually getting a Q5 or diesel GLK. I do not like the fact that the 3.5 litre V6 engine in the launch GLK has an inherently-out-of-balance 90-degree configuration.

Kraut_god - 6/10/2008 4:28:02 PM

+1 Boost

hey that kia is about to drowned.

adamsaf723 - 6/9/2008 1:58:05 PM

+7 Boost

Why do people like this car, it's so ugly.
I'm sorry, I tried really hard to like it, but I think the current design scheme on the Mercedes line is terrible.
The last generation S-Class, E-Class, and C-Class are all gorgeous. Their SUVs are so ugly.

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EnnNorak - 6/9/2008 2:14:36 PM

-5 Boost

Ugly is only skin deep and in the eye of the beholder. I happen to like that industrial look. The interiors appear to be gorgeous, comfortable and practical.

Hantra - 6/9/2008 2:50:30 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Every time I see a profile, I think "Subaru Forester".

I don't mind the new C, but the new SL is really hurt compared to the last one. . . I finally got to see one in person, and it's just as ugly as the pics.

I think the last SL might well be the most beautiful production car ever made.

S4cabriofoxone - 6/9/2008 2:55:53 PMView My AgentSpace

-5 Boost

I think the CL and S are absolutely stunning, but neither of them are so "straight-edged" like this car. That carries through to their interiors--I don't know why Mercedes didn't try to downsize the S-Class interior for its new models. That is a stunner. The C and GLK have very cheap-looking interiors. I do like the way the C looks on the outside, though.

S4cabriofoxone - 6/11/2008 11:59:44 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Why did "adamsaf723" get +7 and I got -4 when we basically said the same thing? My post was actually nicer to Mercedes. This is a weird site sometimes...

bmwdrvr - 6/9/2008 2:10:15 PM

0 Boost

it looks straight out of the 80's especially the interior.....

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JUGNU - 6/9/2008 3:23:12 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Looks like MB wanted GLK to look different than the direct competitors. Something unconventional and therefore didn't go the rumoured and expected 'baby GL' route and made it something like Land Rover LR2, but I think they missed the mark. The final product, GLK is neither sporty nor tough looking. It's ugly and odd looking.

JUGNU

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Chip - 6/9/2008 4:54:55 PM

-6 Boost

Funny how Mercedes is trying to hype this car up in that new piece of sh*t movie "Sex in the City" and targeting the demographic of 40-50 year old women with nothing else to do except spend their husbands money. I think that sums up exactly who will be buying this car. Shameful that Merc is actually using this as a launching point...go to their website, its pathetic.

As far as small SUVs go, I would most def take a Q5 or wait for a redesigned X3 before I bought this thing.

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Willis - 6/9/2008 5:02:02 PM

+9 Boost

You're wrong. I am a marketeer by profession and Mercedes is doing what is "in" these days: marketing cars through movies. Obviously "Sex and the City" is the movie aimed at a female audience - but you're forgetting that these females will bring along a boyfriend, a husband, a brother, another female friend or go with their family and THIS means broader appeal and reach in terms of marketing.

Should we assume that 12-16 year olds are the target market for the Audi R8 just because it was featured in the movie "Iron Man"?

Chip - 6/9/2008 5:12:28 PM

0 Boost

"but you're forgetting that these females will bring along a boyfriend, a husband, a brother, another female friend or go with their family and THIS means broader appeal and reach in terms of marketing."

Yeah, Sex and the City is such a family friendly film. I'm taking my 12 year old niece tomorrow. We're going to have cosmos before it.

Even if your correct, this particular male wouldn't be caught dead in a GLK.

"Should we assume that 12-16 year olds are the target market for the Audi R8 just because it was featured in the movie "Iron Man"?

No, the Audi R8 isn't trying to grab buyers (they don't need them) The film features that particular car to showcase the futuristic styling and technology that correlates with the film and the ego of the billionaire Tony Stark. Also, Audi didn't use this film as a pre-launching pad for the car. I would say the Super Bowl ad was their "show off" moment.

Happy now Marketeer.

Willis - 6/9/2008 5:14:10 PM

0 Boost

Your points are valid and so are mine.

Happy now, Chip?

Chip - 6/9/2008 5:18:10 PM

0 Boost

No, deboost me 5 more times and we'll call it a day.

I love how in a matter of maybe 30 seconds, I had 5 deboosts and you got 5 boosts. How many accounts do you have Willis?

P A T H E T I C

Willis - 6/9/2008 5:56:27 PM

+1 Boost

I only have one account and it's all I need as I don't spend too much time on this site. If you seriously think I will be wasting my time deboosting/boosting people on this site then you have some maturity issues.

There are plenty of people reading these boards boosting and deboosting. I see I have a +5 rating here. Guess that means people agree with me.

Chip - 6/9/2008 6:04:32 PM

-4 Boost

Maturity issues?

Coming from the loser who boosts themselves to be taken seriously.

Your whole comment above reeks of denial and bullsh*t.

"I see I have a +5 rating here. Guess that means people agree with me."

Well there gee now, I guess that DOES mean people agree with you. Dork.

Willis - 6/9/2008 7:04:58 PM

+4 Boost

I wonder what I said that ticked you so off? You think I am going to boost myself up with fake accounts? What's the point?

Maybe you can nicely ask people to boost you up if it makes you feel better, moron.

Chip - 6/9/2008 7:39:06 PM

+2 Boost

I apologize to the Autospies users reading through this crap. I think all of us know not to engage in stupid arguments, but sometimes it just happens.

85bmw745i - 6/10/2008 3:35:57 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

GM markets their cars in movies alot more than anyone else. Transformers, and the matrix 2 I think, every car on that movie was GM on the freeway scene.

S4cabriofoxone - 6/11/2008 1:02:22 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Chip, you're smart but that's asinine. It's pretty obvious that Willis doesn't use more than one account.

SixxFive - 6/9/2008 11:11:20 PM

0 Boost

Thanks for the apologies Chip.....but I agree with Willis: you really do have major maturity issues.

reply to this comment

Chip - 6/9/2008 11:27:34 PM

-2 Boost

Honestly SixxFive, had you been in my situation, you would of been pissed as well.

A few minutes after Willis' comment went up, I had -5 and he had +5. There was either some shady BS going on or Willis had multiple accounts. I have never in my 3+ years on Autospies seen that happen. People get deboosted all the time, including myself, but that generally takes at least half an hour to start accumulating. Plus, why was my post offensive? Sorry are there a lot of GLK or Sex and the City fans on here? Jesus,

Call me immature or whatever, I just call out bullsh*t when I see it. I wouldn't of gotten angry had I not thought that something wasn't right.

Autospies allows people with multiples e-mails to set up multiple accounts, so I firmly believe Willis is a liar.

He also says he doesnt frequent this site a lot, which by the number of his posts, is a total FLAT OUT LIE.

Signed the immature yet "at least I'm honest" Chip

MichaelTaylor - 6/10/2008 7:25:59 AM

-3 Boost

Chip,

When I make a post I am oftened deboosted to really depressing numbers in a number of minutes. Welcome to Autospies where the German fanboys deboost us Japanese fans and boost up their own.

Audi4Life - 6/10/2008 10:25:33 AM

+3 Boost

dudes...just get over it

minhvunguyen - 6/10/2008 3:45:09 AM

0 Boost

As someone who just entered into this topic and having no opinion on the main topic of the car itself, I do consider Chip's comments as reflecting a maturity problem. Who in their right mind would care about (-) or (+) boost unless this is significant in your life on the net? And Chip, you're not the only one who's "honest".

reply to this comment

MichaelTaylor - 6/10/2008 7:26:38 AM

-4 Boost

I would rather drive a RAV4. The RAV4 is very sexy and doesn't take extreme risks in terms of design like this monstrosity!

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Audi4Life - 6/10/2008 10:27:09 AM

+1 Boost

i even like the x3 more than this

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mmeecc - 6/10/2008 10:28:33 AM

0 Boost

People who get deboosted should just shut the fu** up. If you're not happy and don't feel welcome on this site, leave and don't come back. Why would you keep taking this abuse unless you like it? This is like those losers who can't get into a club because the bouncers don't like how they look.... Who cares? Why force it and just go to another club where you're wanted.
So just go to a site where you feel that your comments are taken seriously and stop your bitchin'!!

reply to this comment

85bmw745i - 6/10/2008 2:17:17 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

lol mmeecc I feell ya. I am a bouncer and I get all these whiny people wanting to get in with a t-shirt or tennis shoes. I'm like damn, if you are going out dress for the occasion! And for Michael, you are not getting de-boosted because of German fanboys, lots of lexus fanboys de-boost you. you do nothing but make ignorant and biased comments that make no sense, like when you said the ISF could beat anything german, including a formula one car. And trying to comare this to a Rav4. say something realistic and you won't get de-boosted. Even I have actually agreed with you once and I boosted you.

KeyserSoze - 6/10/2008 3:35:36 PM

+1 Boost

745, You are very naive! do you really in your honest right mind take taylor seriously! just add up the numbers, he is just mocking toyota lexus.

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85bmw745i - 6/10/2008 5:41:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

No, of course I don't take him seriously, I'm offneded that you actually think I take him seriously! But seriously it's funny, comedic, and sometimes entertaining seeing his ignorance, just when you think it can't get any worse, another even more ignorant comment pops up. No I am not naive, trust me. I was being sarcastic.

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