2010 Mercedes GLK-Class SUV

What Changed for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK:

• All-new model for 2010, arrived in early 2009
• 5-passenger compact luxury crossover
• 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 powerplant
• Available 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive (AWD)
• Standard 7-speed automatic transmission
• Manufactured in Bremen, Germany

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK Overview
Mercedes-Benz adds to its sport utility lineup with the all-new 2010 GLK-Class. Though labeled a 2010 model, the new compact luxury crossover initially arrived in showrooms in January 2009. The GLK350, the first model introduced, is slotted as the smaller SUV sibling to the midsize Mercedes-Benz M-Class and its big brother the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Significantly sportier than those two larger models, the 2010 GLK competes against the likes of the BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, Acura RDX, and the new Audi Q5.

According to Mercedes, each letter in the GLK’s nomenclature has a specific connotation. The “G” alludes to the archetypal cross-country vehicle, the “L” characterizes luxury and, as in other Mercedes model series, the “K” stands for compactness (German: Kompaktheit). Engineered to offer class-leading driving stability, low cabin noise, and a high level of passive safety, the GLK350’s bold styling may be a vision of the shape of Mercedes-Benz SUVs to come.

Instantly recognizable as a Mercedes, the compact 2010 GLK350 mirrors the company’s unmistakable design idioms of taut lines and large expansive surfaces. Typical of an SUV, the GLK features short overhangs, an upright front end, and slim roof pillars. Projector beam headlamps frame the prominent 3-pointed star set in the middle of the grille. A roof rack and rocker sills lend additional strength to the design, Mercedes says. Instead of exiting under the vehicle, the dual exhaust outlets are two rectangular pipes mounted high within the bumper itself, just below the rear reflectors.

Compared to the larger M and GL, the Mercedes-Benz GLK offers an edgier design language. More so than any of the other SUVs in the lineup, the GLK is boxy and blocky. "The bullish shape of the new GLK suggests power and agility," says the automaker. The interior continues the same theme. Inside, passengers will find retro-looking square shapes on the dashboard and door panels—a marked departure from the rounded interiors found in most other vehicles in this class.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK Model Lineup
Mercedes-Benz has announced two different GLK models for the 2010 model year: GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic. Both models share an identical 3.5-liter V-6 powerplant, 7-speed automatic transmission, unibody chassis, and 5-passenger seating configuration. The only significant difference between the two is found with the powertrain—the GLK350 is rear-wheel drive, while the 4Matic model adds full-time all-wheel drive.

All 2010 GLK models feature MB Tex (vinyl) upholstery throughout the cabin with genuine burl walnut trim accents on the dashboard. A leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard. In addition to the long list of standard power equipment expected on a vehicle in this segment, all models are equipped with automatic climate control and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The standard audio package is an 8-speaker AM/FM/CD radio with MP3 capability rated at 100 watts of power.

Major options on the GLK include leather upholstery, a panoramic glass tilt and slide sunroof, power-operated rear hatch, bi-Xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, GPS navigation with a 7-inch screen, and a 6-disc CD changer located in the center console.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK Powertrain
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 is powered by a 268-hp, 3.5-liter engine. The 6-cylinder powerplant is connected to a Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. Power is sent to the rear wheels, or optionally to all four wheels through a new 4Matic AWD system.

According to Mercedes, the innovative low-friction 4Matic AWD driveline is specifically engineered around a longitudinally installed engine, transmission and transfer case to reduce fuel-economy penalties at the pump. Under normal conditions, drive torque is split 45:55 between the front and rear axle with oversight from the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Automatic Slip Regulation (ASR) and 4ETS dynamic handling control systems ensuring predictable control, according to the automaker. A newly developed multiple-disc clutch in the center differential is able to partially lock the front and rear axles under low-traction conditions to improve vehicle responsiveness, Mercedes says.

Mercedes says the GLK350’s suspension system allows the vehicle to give a smooth ride while maintaining competence with off-road terrain. The solution was to configure the shocks to respond flexibly rather than lineally. Under normal driving conditions the ride is soft and comfortable for the occupants. If a situation calls for hard driving or abrupt evasive maneuvers, the suspension delivers harder settings to ensure stability. The steering is speed-sensitive to ease parking and slow-speed driving while retaining stability and road feel at higher speeds, the automaker explains.

When the GLK350 encounters off-road conditions, a “G” button in the center console activates a special transmission mode switching the transmission into “softer” acceleration characteristics. The ESP changes to a special off-road function, and a switch-activated Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) program is able to maintain a controlled descent on steep downhill inclines. The standard wheels are 19-inch, cast-in aluminum alloy, with 235/50 tires.

Mercedes-Benz is quoting 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway for the GLK350 and 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway for the GLK350 4Matic. At the time this model profile was originally published, the EPA has not yet released official fuel-economy numbers.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK Safety
Mercedes designed a high-strength passenger cell with energy-absorbing deformation zones at the front and rear to protect the GLK350’s occupants. In addition, every GLK is equipped with the Mercedes-Benz Pre-Safe anticipatory safety system. It is designed to activate protective measures if there is an imminent risk of a crash. Gathering information from the Brake Assist (BA) and stability control systems, Pre-Safe is able to tighten front seat belts, close windows, and move seats into more optimal positions to better protect passengers from injury. Other standard occupant-protection features include dual front air bags, side air bags, curtain air bags, and crash-responsive head restraints.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK had not been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when this model profile was originally published.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK Technology
The 2010 Mercedes GLK350 features an optional Mercedes-Benz COMAND APS system (the acronym stands for the latest generation “COckpit Management And Navigation Device”) with a navigation computer and a second DVD player in the trunk. When so equipped, the COMAND APS becomes the central hub for controlling nearly all of the GLK350’s navigation, entertainment and communication electronics. Integrated with Bluetooth for seamless hands-free mobile phone communications, COMAND APS also offers voice-recognition software for hands-free control. The COMAND APS system in the GLK350 has been designed to follow the control logic used in the S-Class, with additional shortcut buttons to make the most important functions easier to access.