Bucking the trend: Mercedez-Benz GLK-class

Only last summer, the prospects for gas-guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks looked dim in the US and Europe as skyrocketing oil prices and the subprime market imploded. Oil prices are dropping now, but good economic news is proving hard to come by lately. Given that automakers are starting 2009 by treading cautiously, is there still a viable market for a premium SUV?

Mercedes-Benz and its Philippine distributor, CATS Motors, seems to think so as it now has the striking GLK-class to further entice affluent buyers. With prices starting at P4.48M (POA), it is by no means inexpensive. What it does offer is a more compact alternative to its bigger brothers, the M- and GL-Classes , as well as the rival BMW X3 and Volvo XV90. In just its first month in Europe, the GLK won 10,000 orders, with a thousand of those being for the exclusive (read: pricier) “Edition 1” model. Mercedes is onto something here.

The hard-edged styling, dominated by the leering grille with its centerpiece tri-star emblem, is representative of the new generation of Mercedes products. The flanks sport a distinctive crease raking sharply rearward, while the angular fender bulges emphasize the uncharacteristically huge 19” wheels (20” if you spring for the “Edition 1”. From the back, it shamelessly flaunts the de rigeur dual tailpipes, a braggadocio styling measure that seems to be the trend these days with pricey, sports-inclined automobiles.

Indeed, the GLK bears more of a resemblance to the sporty C-Class sedan than the M-Class SUV, making that model look just a bit frumpy by comparison. The cabin, while continuing Merc’s tradition of a functional, slightly angular cockpit, has been rendered in classy aluminum and wood accents depending on the model. The dashboard has a pleasingly low cowl that, combined with the chair-like seating position, gives a commanding view of the road.

The basic model is the GLK 280 4MATIC, sporting full-time four-wheel drive and a 3.0-liter V6 shared with the C280 (170 kW/227 HP @ 6,000 rpm, 30 kg-m @ 2,500-5,000 rpm). The transmission is a high-tech 7-speed automatic, which should benefit the driver with fast acceleration, high top-end speed, and good fuel economy. Mercedes’ quoted fuel economy is 9.8 kpl in combined city/highway driving. Even reducing that by 20% in real-world driving with a heavy right foot, it should still be impressive for a 3-liter motor.

The GLK’s 4MATIC system splits torque between the front and rear wheels 45:55 through a multiple-disc clutch in the center differential. Combined with Electronic Stability Control, Acceleration Slip Regulation, and 4-Wheel Electronic Traction System, the GLK is one of the most surefooted compact SUVs yet. Its front strut-rear multilink suspension also features Agility Control (amplitude-dependent damping) to keep the tires in optimum contact with the ground under all conditions.

Like all Mercs, the GLK comes with a battery of active and passive safety features. ARAMIS, the central control unit for the restraint systems, can detect impact type and severity in a matter of milliseconds, triggering the restraint systems as required. In the event of a crash, it can even activate individual functions to defuse the situation, such as isolating the electrical network from the battery, shutting off the engine, switching on the emergency lighting, unlocking the doors, and even lowering the side windows by 50mm. Needless to say, the GLK’s basic structure employs Mercedes’ trademark “battleship” philosophy with ultra-high-strength sheet steel and reinforced structural elements such as the body pillar links, firewall, and propshaft tunnel.

Meanwhile, the brakes utilize an all-new Adaptive Brake control system. Incorporating the basic ABS, Acceleration Skid Control, and yaw control functions, Adaptive Brake diagnoses critical situations and applies the brakes and controls drive torque to maintain or restore traction and directional stability.

PRE-SAFE is also available for the first time in this compact SUV. Conceptually a pre-emptive safety system, it detects “warning signs” of an impending crash such as emergency braking, heavy understeer or oversteer, or sudden steering wheel movements, and primes the vehicle and occupants for a possible impact. It can pull the seatbelts taut, close the sunroof and windows to prevent foreign object intrusion (or occupants from getting flung out), and even quickly adjust the optional power-adjustable front passenger seat for a safer position with respect to the airbags and seatbelt system.

Since Mercedes-Benz anticipates that the GLK will also be used as a glamorous hauler, the cargo hold has a few tricks up its sleeve. Total volume is 450 liters with the rear seats upright; the loading width is at least 950 millimeters. The rear seatbacks are split 60-40 and can be folded to create a flat load floor. Folding the entire seatback yields load capacity of 1,550 liters and a length of 1,674 millimeters. There’s the requisite load compartment cover, tie-down rings, bag hooks, coat hooks, and a 12-volt power outlet. An additional stowage compartment under the load floor has a capacity of 86 liters, and it’s split into smaller partitions by a removable tub. An optional EASY-PACK tailgate provides electric convenience, opening and closing at the push of a button.

For comfort, the usual Mercedes staples of leather and wood are extant (aluminum for the “Edition 1”), with a dual-zone climate control system, power-adjustable front seats, and premium 8-speaker stereo. In the “Edition 1”, the COMAND interface lets you access stereo, phone, and onboard computer using a console dial, while also throwing in a raffish AMG steering wheel. More goodies like High Discharge Headlamps, auto-dimming heated mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers further sweeten the deal for both the basic GLK and the Edition 1.

Given all this, does the future still look bleak for SUVs? On the contrary, it must look rather sharp for Mercedes-Benz.