Mercedes-Benz to reveal compact SUV in Detroit

"The Vision GLK concept illustrates the logical way in which our successful model strategy will be continued in the SUV segment," said Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East and Levant. "The new compact character is in the best of company just like the production model, which is to be launched in the Middle East in the autumn 2008."

The distinctive looks of the exterior are seamlessly continued inside the compact SUV study. A thrilling stylistic contrast is produced by the juxtaposition of two formally different worlds.

The new 4MATIC drivetrain in the Vision GLK FREESIDE is one of the most powerful all-wheel-drive systems. Thanks to the compact, lightweight and friction-optimised basic design, with a longitudinally installed engine and block-design main transmission and transfer case, it offers various advantages over other systems with a transversely installed drive unit.

The 45:55 percent basic distribution of the drive torque between the front and rear axle plus the ESP, ASR and 4ETS dynamic handling control systems ensure effortlessly superior and predictable performance in all conditions. Optimum traction, the greatest driving stability and the best handling are assured at all times.

The newly developed multiple-disc clutch in the central differential supports the system where the friction between the tyres and the road surface is particularly low, for example on snow or ice. A basic partial locking force of 50 newton metres between the front and rear axles produces a significant increase in traction, while maintaining the high level of driving stability.

The "G" button in the centre console increases the Vision GLK FREESIDE's aggression on rough terrain. Pressing the button activates a special transmission mode which varies the 7G-TRONIC's shift points, adjusts to "softer" accelerator characteristics and activates the ESP's off-road function. A manual shift mode is also available - gears are changed using the shift paddles behind the steering wheel. A further switch activates the Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), which automatically maintains a pre-selected speed on steep downhill inclines.

The Vision GLK FREESIDE's AGILITY CONTROL suspension resolves a conflict of objectives which particularly affects the SUV class, where chassis engineers want to create a vehicle which is both sportily agile and comfortably smooth yet one which can also cope with off-road terrain.

The Vision GLK FREESIDE is powered by a new-generation diesel engine. The four-cylinder unit, with a 2.2-litre displacement, reflects the study vehicle's dynamic basic concept and allows impressive performance figures with an output of 170 hp, plus reduced consumption and reduced emissions. The technical features of the extremely compact and smooth CDI powerplant with rear camshaft drive include fourth-generation common rail direct injection with an injection pressure of 2000 bar and a two-stage turbocharger system.

Since the launch of the Middle East favourite G-Class in 1979, Mercedes-Benz has been a leader in the off-road vehicle segment. With the first generation of the ML-Class, which appeared in the Middle East in 1998, Mercedes-Benz benchmarked the contemporary sports utility vehicle segment. Including the latest generation of this model, which made its debut in 2006, this model series is one of the most successful premium SUVs in the world, with around 900,000 vehicles sold. The GL-Class in turn has occupied the top spot in the overall SUV world since 2006, its occupants travelling first-class whatever the conditions.

The Vision GLK FREESIDE demonstrates how the expertise garnered in the course of creating this sequence of models can be translated into compact format.