The first debut of the compact SUV Mercedes GLK was held in January 2008 at the Detroit auto show, then in March the car was brought to Geneva, however, it appeared as a concept car. The presentation of the production model took place in Beijing. The Mercedes GLK is built on the C-class wagon platform, however it is heavier than the progenitor by 190 kg. The car perfectly combines off-road qualities with a compact size and a comfortable interior.
Produced at the Mercedes plant in the city of Bremen. Among the main competitors of this model are the BMW X3, Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60. The design is made with an eye on the "big brother" GL. The faceted appearance of the GLK looks deliberately angular. But streamlined at height - Cx 0.34. Overall dimensions: 4528х1840х1689 mm. The trunk in German is neat and functional, but its volume is only 450 liters, and this size cannot be increased - the back sofa is motionless, although the backs are folded.
As for the technical stuffing, in the car there are related "genes" of the C-class: for example, 4Matic all-wheel drive system without a blocking differential. An alternative option is a model with rear wheel drive. GLK is available in two versions. One is designed for off-road lovers. In this case, the car has a ground clearance of 210 mm, 17-inch wheels and a special off-road package, consisting of an all-wheel drive and directional control system configured for off-road, assistance systems during descent from the mountain and so on. Asphalt modification GLK can boast 19-inch wheels and ground clearance (200 mm). The angular interior is in complete harmony with the exterior.
Salon is replete with chrome parts and massive inserts of pine Sienna or walnut. On the dashboard catches the eye a large speedometer. There is also a navigation display, which can be controlled using a special "roundelier" on the middle console and keys. The Mercedes GLK has an electronic tempomat for distance control (ACC), which is capable of adjusting the distance to the nearest vehicle when driving in automatic mode. The car boasts a long list of standard equipment: a stabilization system, dual-zone climate control, full electrics, a CD / MP3 audio system, electric front seats, fog lights.
As additional options, five special packages are available, including the most popular “Premium 1” including: a panoramic sunroof, SIRIUS satellite radio and an electric tailgate. A more luxurious package “Premium 2” additionally includes: bi-xenon adaptive optics with a washer, a rain sensor, a driver's seat with memory, and much more. The Multimedia package includes a hard drive for the navigation system and a rear-view camera. The car is equipped with a line of two petrol and one diesel engine. GLK 280 is equipped with a three-liter engine producing 231 hp. The GLK 350 offers a 3.5-liter engine producing 272 hp.
The diesel version of the GLK 320 CDI has a three-liter power unit with a capacity of 224 hp. Transmission only automatic, seven-speed. Passenger safety is provided by front and side airbags, and curtain airbags for all side windows. In addition, active head restraints for the front seats, special pedals that break apart in case of an accident, three-point belts with pretensioners for all seats in the car and locks for attaching child seats ISOFIX. In 2012, in New York, the company Mercedes-Benz introduced a restyled version of the GLK. The car received a retouched appearance and interior, as well as upgraded engines.
The front part of the car has changed most of all - a new hood with a protruding inclined radiator grille, romob-shaped headlights with boomerangs of dimensions and an aggressive front bumper made the GLK both more solid and more dynamic than before. Behind the changes are much less - only new lights are thrown in the eyes, which made the stern more elegant. The rear bumper is also new, more expressive and sculptural.
The picture is completed with new design wheels. In addition, the AMG package is available for the car, with which the crossover takes on a more sporty look. Salon, as before, is largely unified with the C-class. Here is the same dashboard and center console with a 5.8-inch display system COMMAND, located at the top under the visor. Similarly placed blocks of the audio system and climate control. But the duct deflectors of the GLK are not rectangular, but round. The gearshift lever moved from the center tunnel under the steering column, as is done on most other models of the company.
In addition, the steering wheel has been updated and several additional trim versions have appeared that were previously inaccessible. Mercedes-Benz GLK has received a number of security systems that are available for E-and S-classes. As an option, the PRE-SAFE system will be offered, which brings the seat backs to a vertical position and pretension the belts in the event of a collision hazard.
As options, customers will be able to order the installation of a circular video review system, traffic sign recognition, marking tracking, dead zones and driver fatigue, as well as a multimedia kit with Internet access and adaptive cruise control on the crossover. The line of engines for the GLK 2012 includes three petrol and three diesel powertrains. The base engine is a 2.1-liter gasoline engine producing 170 hp. His more powerful version of the same volume after the upgrade began to give out 265 horsepower against 231 earlier. The top among gasoline engines is considered the "six", whose power is equal to 306 hp, which is 32 hp more than the dorestayling version.
Diesels are represented by 2.1-liter four-cylinder engines with a power of 143 (350 Nm) and 170 (400 Nm) hp, as well as a 3.0-liter V6, giving out 265 power and a peak torque of 620 Nm.
