Mercedes Vision GLK Freeside Concept: Luxury Crossover SUV

Motoring Channel Staff - 3/January/2008

Stuttgart, Germany — Much has been said about the rumoured AWD crossover vehicle from Mercedes, and we now finally have some concrete information.

German car maker Mercedes-Benz has come clean with a new concept vehicle - the Vision GLK Freeside - which is an early look at the new 2009 model GLK-Class.

Officially unveiled at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, the new model was recently spied on the set of the new chick flick, Sex And The City, which suggests that Mercedes wants to appeal to affluent, fashionable drivers.

The new vehicle features a far more original design than a lot of crossover SUVs, highlighted by its angular lines and squared off corners.

"The Vision GLK Freeside study, now close to series production, has a distinctive design and combines typical SUV characteristics such as robustness and off-road capability with refined motoring characteristics on “normal” roads," reads the Mercedes-Benz literature.

Designed to give Mercedes more traction in the mid-sized SUV market, the new model will be launched in Europe late in 2008. It will then hit roads in the USA in early 2009.

However, the luxury SUV is believed to be only a left-hand-drive vehicle at this stage due to the mechanical design of the vehicle. 

This means the new GLK has not been confirmed for right-hand drive markets, such as England and Australia.

As well as the sharp new design, Mercedes has equipped the Vision GLK Freeside with a range of interesting features, such as:

Agility Control: advanced suspension system ensures "excellent handling dynamics and agility, coupled with excellent ride comfort and pioneering active safety" says Mercedes.

 BlueTec Diesel Engine: this next generation 4-cylinder diesel engine sounds like 'BlueTooth' and is expected to be one of the most economical and environmentally friendly engines. 

7G-Tronic: this 7-speed automatic transmission combines with the Mercedes GLK's new 4Matic all-wheel drive system that "ensures highly appealing performance". 

The Vision GLK Freeside concept car is very close in design and construction to the final production version of the GLK-Class, and will also features things like the anticipatory Pre-Safe technology, the Intelligent Light System (ILS), the intuitively controlled COMAND APS infotainment center with two LCD screens and triple zone automatic climate control.

Mercedes says the Vision GLK Freeside concept will undergo its first test of character at the NAIAS in Detroit, where it will be judged by the press and the public.

"The Vision GLK illustrates the logical way in which our extremely successful model strategy can be continued in the SUV segment," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, the CEO of Daimler AG. 

Dr. Zetsche has a very close connection with the compact and distinctive Vision GLK Freeside, based on his time as a vehicle developer back in the mid-1980s. One of Dr. Zetsche’s areas of responsibility at that time was the development of the boxy G-Class, a rugged 4WD used by some military forces.

Looking back, he explained, "The needs profiles are different now. But there’s one thing that hasn’t changed: if a Mercedes has a G in its name, it has to perform exceptionally in all conditions."

Dr. Zetsche’s comments suggest that the new model will be a serious off-roader. While it is being pitched at well-to-do socialites and fashionistas, it's also expected to be a rock solid mud slinger.

It will come with driving aids like Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), an off-road ESP setting and there's also a 'G' button on the center console that activates the vehicles off-road persona.

The concept car in these photos, which will shown at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, sit on large 20-inch alloy wheels which probably wouldn't be very good for off-roading.

Power for the new GLK-Class will com from a range of petrol and diesel engines including the new generation, eco friendly BlueTec diesel engine. 

This 4-cylinder unit displaces 2.2-litres and "allows impressive performance figures" according to Mercedes, outputting 125kW (168hp) of power and what is expected to be around 400Nm of torque.

Petrol engines for the final 2009 production version of the GLK Freeside concept will include V6 and V8 engines. 

The Mercedes-owned performance group, AMG, is also expected to work on the GLK and will probably drop the 6.2-litre V8 into the SUV's engine bay which would output more than 330kW (450hp).

Based on the Mercedes C-Class wagon underpinnings, the new model will make its first public appearance at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS).

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