Beijing 2008: Mercedes GLK

After two concept cars in Detroit and Geneva, Mercedes has finally unveiled the official GLK at the Beijing Motor Show.

There was no better way to tell Europeans that Mercedes doesn’t care anymore about them after unveiling the GLK in China. It is also a clumsy attempt to steal the media coverage from the new Audi Q5. As predicted the production version is almost identical to the previous concept cars. The GLK features the latest brand’s design with sharper lines and an interior which comes with a new dashboard styling also seen on the future E-Class.

Mercedes has only released the final specifications of the American version, the GLK 350. The small SUV is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine which delivers a power output of 268bhp. The GLK will be available with a choice of two transmissions, a rear-wheel drive system and the in-house four-wheel drive system called 4MATIC. The GLK sits on 19in wheels in standard which can be upgraded to 20in wheels. The SUV runs 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and achieves a low 23mpg.