NEW MINI 4x4 FROM MERCEDES

[hawk20]

Car and Driver has some info on the 2008 GLK mini SUV expected in 2008 from Mercedes.
http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/...0-bluetec.html

It will be offered with petrol engines and the new Bluetec diesels.

 

[Andy Wr]

Cant see it.

 

[shadowninja]

It's that small.

 

[Eric Tilley]

Large stomach

 

[daveenty]

Could it be THIS one?

Mercedes-Benz is rolling out its BlueTec clean-diesel and gasoline-electric hybrid technology while adding a small SUV to its lineup as part of its bid to “build the most efficient SUVs in the world,

Another hybrid <grrr>

 

[Andy Wr]

Thanks for the link guys, wonder how much it will cost.

 

[BlackC55]

Another MB model. They need it like a hole in the head.

 

[shadowninja]

Ye gods. Is it to rival the X3 in the ugly mini 4x4 stakes?

 

[Eric Tilley]

I hope it looks a bit better when they get it out of camaflage

 

[Russell L B]

10 inches shorter!. hardly small then!

 

[hawk20]

They've moved it! This link seems better: -
http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/13189/2009-mercedes-benz-glk300-glk350-and-glk320-bluetec.html

 

[hawk20]

Another MB model. They need it like a hole in the head.

Why? The ML has been a huge success and a smaller 4x4 could be too, provided it still offers Mercedes type legroom (as the A and B class both do).

The ML is shorter than an E class which is useful for parking in modern bays and to be another 10 inches shorter still makes it really handy. Smaller MPV's like the Freelander, the Honda CRV, the Nissan X trail, and the Toyota Rav 4 have all been very successful. Not everyone has £40k for an ML and if it can be priced under £30k I reckon it will be a winner.

BUT ADD TO THIS the fact that the congestion charge in London will soon be £25 per DAY for Band G cars and all MLs even the diesel are Band G. And the 90% reduction for residents in the zone will be abolished for band G cars. So something that is band F (as the GLK could be) will have many supporters. Remember that 40% of the population of England live within 40 miles of London so it matters to lots of people.

Then look at taxation of company cars, which are two out of every three new sales. The higher the CO2, the more they get clobbered. It will sell. IMO

 

[Andy Wr]

I could be interested if it is is reasonably priced and still has some 4 x 4 capability for what I need a 4 x 4 for, slightly smaller does appeal to me perhaps the size of the new Honda CRV.

 

[Rory]

I'd be interested if it rides well (BMW X3 is terrible).

I love driving SUV's in the US - obviously the driving is more relaxed there anyway, but the higher driving position seems to make driving effortless.


BMW X3 and the previous X5 are very little different in size - apparently in the US, most buyer who went to look at X3 bought X5 instead.

 

[Schtum]

My, my, all that 4x4 technology borrowed from Land Rover has proved very handy it would seem.

 

[hawk20]

I'd be interested if it rides well (BMW X3 is terrible).

I love driving SUV's in the US - obviously the driving is more relaxed there anyway, but the higher driving position seems to make driving effortless.


BMW X3 and the previous X5 are very little different in size - apparently in the US, most buyer who went to look at X3 bought X5 instead.

I agree the X3 is poor and oddly the seat is quite low to the floor -unlike the X5- and not very SUV-like.

It would be odd if the Merc did not have their usual impeccable ride. The ride on the ML is amazing for a 4x4 IMO.

 

[Andy Wr]

The ride on the ML is amazing for a 4x4 IMO.

For a big motor, most definately.

Mercedes would do well to ask owners of 4 x 4's what they want from a car and then give the options of 2 wheel drive only for those who never leave the tarmac, I would like selectable 2 / 4 wheel drive, adjustable suspension for increased ground clearance, more storage for example a slide out drawer in the loading area, drawers under the front seats and a 2 litre diesel engine would be suffice in my opinion. A soft off roader with enough off roading capability to tow a trailer and to tackle a dirt track and wet field, lets face it, if we wanted more capabilities we would buy a Land Rover.

 

[Apial]

Car and Driver has some info on the 2008 GLK mini SUV expected in 2008 from Mercedes.
http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/...0-bluetec.html

It will be offered with petrol engines and the new Bluetec diesels.

Surely that should read "NEW MINI 4X4 FROM BMW"?


Note: Capitalisation of mini denotes the registered brand name owned by BMW.

 

[hawk20]

Surely that should read "NEW MINI 4X4 FROM BMW"?


Note: Capitalisation of mini denotes the registered brand name owned by BMW.

I don't agree. In a sentence that is all capitals, or in a title that is all capitals, it does not IMO. Anyway what happened to a mini-crisis, and best of all a mini skirt. The word is part of the English Language as is maxi.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

There's only me you and Television that remember what a mini skirt is Hawk...................