Test drive Mercedes Benz GLK class X204 since 2008 SUV

Cupcake in the big city

When a Mercedes 190 appeared on the market in 1984, many considered him female. Although the most compact car of the brand for many years with its sharp faces of the body conquered not only female, but also male hearts. And who would have thought that after almost a quarter of a century, Stuttgart masters would give a new content to the old form?
Where are those needles living in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades that woke up each time, it was worth the three-beam star on the hood to appear because of the turn? Where is the slightly audible sweet smell, which was an integral part of the dear Tolstoy, a slightly rude finished skin in the cabin? Where is the rough plastic, which was erased over the years, but did not know the word old age?
Now everything is wrong. Motors with a three-beam star on the cylinder block are still reliable, but will the mechanic in the service be the same as 10 years ago, respectfully stroke the oiled mitten with a hundred thousandth mileage, a tambourine under his breath: are the running-in? Who now, taking up the rim of a solid Korean or Japanese D-class, will nod approvingly: almost a Mercedes!
Now the company from Stuttgart is just you imagine! In the role of catching up. In a world where there are fewer off-road daily, and there are more and more crossovers, Mercedes finally decided to say their word. A weighty equipped mass of 1,830 kg, but relatively compact: 4.53 m in length.
The idea of \u200b\u200bMercedes GLK as a car that does not graze in front of off -road is embodied in the SUV package. It provides for the Off Road-Abs movement: this is when the anti-lock system works in optimal braking mode on the slopes or poor (slippery) sections of the road. In addition, in this mode, the automatic transmission algorithm changes, which in manual mode inhibits the engine more actively.
The SUV package also includes external changes. These are chrome linings on exhaust nozzles, black relings and protective elements of bumper. From below, the protection of not only the crankcase, but also the front bumper is provided.
 
For the first time, Mercedes Glk light up his rectangular headlights in front of the audience in the tape sex and the big city. The title of such a debutant obliged to be at least bright, unexpected, catchy
Well, the one who found charm in the brick forms of the 190th (body of W-201) will appreciate the dignity and GLK. It looks like a confectionery, but not to the custard cake, where the whole taste is enclosed in the filling, but, if you want, on a cupcake or roll, where the whole product is important.
A memorable salon? No, this is not about GLK, although inside it is thought out from and to. Just one example. You can name a hundred cars with convenient inner front handles, but in which car are the rear handles are just as good?! And Mercedes made it seemingly obvious: they lowered them a little lower and now the elbow easily finds a wide armrest, and the hand of the handle on the door. It seems to be a trifle, but comfort is made of such trifles.
Using a washer on the central tunnel, it is more convenient to wander along the on -board computer menu than to look for a joystick on the console or to press the keys on the steering wheel.
Excellent devices delight with a thin edging, the screen of the audio system is framed by an ivory color; There are also spectacular fabric inserts
You get used to even a complex combination of keys and regulators on the central console quickly. The salon is very high quality and very convenient, although perhaps GLK designers can be reproached for the absence of a common style.
Prices
Model GLK 280 with a 231 hp V6 engine It costs 1,609,500 rubles, with a diesel engine 3.0 (224 hp) 1,720,500 rubles, and the most powerful version with a 3.5-liter, but gasoline, unit will pull the same: 1,720 500 rubles.
Standard equipment is seven airbags, including the knee for the driver, the active headrests of the Neck Pro for the driver and the front passenger. Thermatic dual-zone automatic climate control system, Agility Control suspension with a damping electoral system, anti-lock system (ABS) in combination with an emergency braking system (BAS) and an anti-cost system (Hill Start Assist).
 
And the Mercedes shed comfort is incomparable. The new Agility Control suspension is a powerful weapon in the fight against pits: large and small. But you will not feel all the subtleties of working out bumps with adaptive shock absorbers. The harsh, collected, working without swing and unnecessary sounds, the suspension does not make it clear in what mode it works at the moment.
By the way, about the C-class, on the basis of which the crossover was developed: the rigidity of the shock absorbers could be adjusted by yourself. But here the developers, apparently, considered that for GLK, with its higher center of gravity, it is unsafe.
But behind the client they leave the right to choose a motor. Moreover, from the moment of starting the model there are gasoline (2.8 and 3.5 l) and diesel (3.2) versions.
We took the most powerful, 272-horsepower six, can this cupcake hide just under the hood? The seven -speed machine transmits a little more than the moment to the rear axle than to the front, but stabilization is unlikely to feel the driver’s prospects for this decision.
The steering wheel at low speeds is light like a fluff, which has already become a hallmark of almost the entire lineup. On the highway, this makes management transparent. And yet where is the delight and emotions?
Mercedes-Benz GLK 3.5 automatic transmission
Specifications:
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm (d x w x c) 4 528x1 840 x1 689
Road clearance, mm 201
Equipped mass, kg 1 830
Trunk volume, l 450
Engine volume and power, l (l. P./Rpm) 3.5 (272/6 000)
Maximum torque, NM at rpm 350 (2 400 5 000)
Acceleration to 100 km/h, from 6.7
Maximum speed, km/h 230
Fuel consumption (average), l/100 km 10.4
 
A powerful motor gives excellent dynamics and impeccable smoothness, but good sound insulation will not let any extra decibel into the salon. It is incredibly difficult to feel the character of the motor, hearing only a light whisper of winter tires on asphalt. Well, in Stuttgart they put full comfort at the forefront, for which we give the car and its creators the due.
Mercedes cupcake culinary masterpiece, but for not too sophisticated in a high kitchen. The magnificent performance and powerful technical potential have always been strong sides of the machines from Stuttgart, but we did not work out to see a piece of the living in the contours of the monolithic-grated body of the crossover. Maybe we have not tested GLK for a long time?
On the other hand, future buyers of the crossover have no reason to doubt the exclusivity of this car, although premium competitors almost simultaneously put up new items in this class. But everyone else is not like the old days of the 190th, and GLK looks like. And if you once stood in your garage, and you, of course, loved it, the Mercedes kitchen is guaranteed not to seem fresh.

Text: Alexander Mikhailov
Photo: Roman Ostanin and Daimler AG

 
 
 

 

Source: Wheel magazine [December 2008]