How about this for a first? At the Mercedes GL550 and ML550 press preview, we're told that they are going to show us an upcoming vehicle and that we can talk about it, but not photograph it.
I immediately say to myself...WHAT?
So I show up at this garage at the appointed time where I am frisked and security wanded for electronic devices and then led into the garage behind the curtains.
And there it is…the Mercedes version of the BMW X3…to be called the GLK.
Saw it, touched it and was able to do a full walkaround and enjoy this exclusive moment.
They told us it is a ‘design study’ until they show the real concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
The exterior is camouflaged like in most spy photos you see but you can tell exactly how it will look when it’s done.
And the interior is fully finished like a concept you would see at the shows.
So what did it look like?
On the outside, it is a virtual copy of the GL only smaller and with the turn signal light row ABOVE the headlights.
So when your friends ask, just say it's a baby GL and more angular and cut than a BMW X3.
On the inside, it uses the gauge cluster from the C-Class and they showed it with expensive leather with deviant colored piping on the edges of the seats…ala Range Rover.
In our opinion, it is the cleanest and most functional interior they have ever made.
The dash, the door handle surrounds are very angular with lots of edges and they used a dark grey wood throughout the interior for accents and aluminum.
They tell us it will be a 2010 model year car so our guess is to look for it just before the snow flies in 2008 in USA dealers.
It’s 4 years too late and it should have come BEFORE the R-Class, but they have executed well on it and it should be a nice vehicle when it is finished.
It’s the perfect size for most people and it is way more practical than a straight wagon.
They showed an alcantara headliner in it but our guess is it won’t make it to production.
Our suggestions to Mercedes to make it perfect?
Put a killer diesel engine it that gets high 30’s mileage, the biggest panoramic roof in its class, slope the roof more like a CLS and price it just over a C-Class and they will fly off the lots.
By the way, we were not allowed to take photos but these AutoBild photoshops in the article link are EXACTLY how it looked.
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