chilledbenz

http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes...ss-future.html

Yes I know this doesn't exactly fit in this thread and yes I know someone already posted a similar link on another thread. If this GLK does bow at the Detroit auto show in January, I think that all but seals the fate of the w204 C class wagon making it stateside. Yes one is an SUV the other is a station wagon, but they both ride on the C class frame, both will have about the same interior room and both will probably be in the same price range. Wouldn't be sound business to offer two cars virtually the same. Not overly concerned here as I already bought a C300 Sport, but this GLK is quite nice looking. Don't think its in full production skin though, those mirrors are way off anything Benz has put out recently, but then again the C mirrors are nothing like anything to date either.

GDawgC220

The GLK looks like a jacked up Subaru Forester, IMO.

430752

ehhh...the offspring of a toyota rav4 anda bmw X3. It leave me cold. Of course, this won't stop it from selling well if MBUSA's marketing people can get it branded a crossover!

gocargo

Regardless what it looks like, it will have the superior Mercedes refinements, excellent traction control and diesel motor.. all UNLIKE the Subaru Forester. Oh, plus the mercedes smell

CarGuru

Worst looking MB ever, no thanks.

-Ryan

webada

omg, this can't be from the same design team as the w204!!

it looks like someone from the north america team took the w204 and doodle over it....

MBTex

No Estate in the US...not anytime soon.

Kieffer

I hope it's just that photo (and maybe the white color). But from that photo, this is the ugliest MB ever. And GDawg220 hit it on the head - it looks like a Forester on bad steroids.

webada

aren't they talking about next year for the US? look at the license plate: I "heart" nyc1... shooting a commercial for US?

PHYBENZ

They are using it on the set of the new "sex in the city movie."

MiKeSSw203

I may get it for the misses when the W204 lease is up.

chilledbenz

I like it, just maybe not in white. Boy does it look like the Subie from the front though, good catch. I will look at this when it comes out, probably spring/summer of 08, if it debuts at Detroit. I'm not sure it will do me well though, I have a ML now and will be looking for a new car around the summer/fall time frame, but this seems too small for my needs. It falls into that BMW X3 model range, BMW has a hard time selling those (although its quite old now) so why MB felt the need to jump into this segment I don't know.

webada

Really? didn't know that. This is the trend for this segment tho, audi has their a4 wagon, bmw has x3, infiniti will introduce the EX.......

caddies? we are missing one...

KIRA

trust me, it will be good, is a Mercedes-benz anyway, just like when the R-class came out, everyone would say THAT R is truely ugly, but when you get a chance to sit inside... you will feel bad saying is ugly...

chilledbenz

Lol hey I'm with you on this, I think my next one will be an R...if its still around. Talking to a salesman about it, current R classes are getting a 10k discount off sticker because of slow or no sales at all. Insider news says it could get the axe instead of getting a model make over (it got updated this year, has the AMG sport package standard, got a M.S.R.P. price drop and is now offered in 2wd to try and help boost sales)

As for my BMW X3 comment, to be fair the X3 was first in this segment, but as mentioned is really old now. It went through some updating this past year, engines, trim lines, colors ect., but I don't think its helped much. I'm sure they are working on something to either update it or take its place, BMW feels there is a market for an X6, I wouldn't think they would let a smaller version die off.

Krytech

That explains why when I was looking at BMW's before I bought the C, they sales person was trying hard to get me to look at the X3. I had to tell him more than a couple times that I already have an SUV and am looking to replace our sedan.

aowhaus

good lord that's ugly!!

Doesn't MB have enough SUVs already? ML, GL, G, and you could even say the R-class. With exception of the ML, these SUVs are selling relatively slow.

peabers

BMW sells the E91 alongside the E83, so there is no reason to MB cannot sell a W204 Estate next to the X204. The vehicles appeal to a different set of buyers and I don't think there is much overlap.

There are plenty of takers for the E83 here in Canada, who tend to be more pragmatic and go for smaller vehicles. With the Infiniti EX35 coming, along with the VW Tiguan, and Audi Q5, there is no reason to believe that this market is anywhere near saturated. People seem to love these CUVs.

For me, I would rather go for the wagon... but I might be an exception amongst the sea of SUV/CUVs in the mall.

My understanding is that the Canadian dealers are already taking orders for the W204 Estate.

radiance

It looks like a Grand Vitara buffed up. lol.
The picture from post #12 of the GLK, it looks alright actaully, =\..I see some resemblence of the BMW X3.

whatup?

Agreed - give me [the better-looking, presumably lighter and no less practical] C wagon.

As for CUVs in general - at least it seems I'm not the only one who sees these things for the bloated hopped-up station wagons that they are . . .

peabers

I find the CUVs to be the ultimate contradiction. It's got the bulk and high center of gravity like a SUV, and the off-road capability of a stationwagon.

How come people on this forum call AMG-wannabe's posers, but not the CUV drivers? I think those are the ultimate posers.

If I needed a truck, I would get a Geländewagen. But since I don't, I will continue to yearn for the W204 Estate.

iguess

i thought the R was ugly, but this takes the cake. I never liked the X3, this is even worse. I have a feeling this car will sell though. Unlike the R, it doesnt look anything like a mini-van. I dont understand why they need this new class. The ML does well, and looks great. I think i would rather have an estate.

Ianbiz

whats up with the door panels?

ffejalink

MOD: Please start a separate thread for the upcoming GLK and move this thread appropriately. Thanks!

chilledbenz

Lol well I started this thread here because it had to do with the C Estate. But as you can see its taken off to be more about the GLK.