Aleksi A. said on Monday 4th of July 2011 06:37 PM:
Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI Blue Efficiency
So the GLK from Mercedes. I’ve got one now for two years, since 2009. With the GLK Mercedes introduced a “compact” SUV also aiming at lower fuel consumption, which has been a trend over the past few years.
But let’s start with the design. Mercedes who does have a legendary reputation for design during its history in my opinion produced some extremely dull looking vehicles (almost as dull as VW) during the late 80s and the 90s and even to the new millenium. The GLK was its first bolder effort in designing something new and something that deserves to be called a Mercedes. It’s edgy, it has angles, it has a design that immediately caught my attention. The first beautiful Mercedes since the 70s. But it has also been a bit controversial, since I’m sure some hate its design. As to the interior everything goes along the same line as the exterior. Clean, edgy, with a twist. And after GLK the same design patterns were also introduced in the E-series, C-series and soon the M-series will have a similar lining too.
In many ways the GLK is like the E-series, just a bit higher, which is the main reason why I wanted the GLK, and not the E-series. I’m too old to crawl in and out of an ordinary sedan. It ain’t big, but not small either, would say it’s perfect for singles and small families. For big families you’ve got to go a bit bigger.
The power then. Well I got the GLK 220 CDI model, which runs on a diesel engine. Engine which isn’t noicy at all. In fact on a highway you can’t hear the engine, just the tires on the road or the wind. Only when you accelerate can you hear its mighty sound. 170 bhp ain’t too much for a heavy car, but I’d say it’s sufficient and you get to speeds over 200km/h and the twin turbo helps a lot along the way. But it’s in the torque where the magic of a diesel engine is. 400nm of torque guarantees the car accelerates fast enough under any circumstance. In fact, compared to my previous petrol engine car, entering a highway for example is a whole different ballgame. Just step on the gas, the gearbox changes down, the engine roams and it goes like a rocket, easily achieving 130km/h by the time you hit the highway from the ramp.
The 7G Tronic automatic gearbox. You can feel the changing, especially in lower gears and especially if you’re not smooth on the gas, but in higher gears you just don’t notice. Not a perfect automatic gearbox, but definitely a good one. I think VW might actually make better ones?
Handling. Outstanding. You can feel the road very precisely, the car don’t tilt when bending, probably because of the agile suspension system, and the controls are all just a small move away. Even the multi-functional turning signal, which is where Mercedes get a lot of criticism, because they simply place it differently from all the others. But I think its lower position is in fact better while driving, and after you get used to it. So I guess someone at Merc has actually thought about it. The chassis and suspension are rigid, not wobbly like they tend to be in some other cars. Just saying it’s precise.
The most important thing: safety. Yes I’m sure it has all five stars in collision tests, so the body and chassis sure are as good as they can get at the moment. And the same applies to airbags and other basic features. What I admire though is the ESP, which has saved my day already a couple of times during the icy winter days. It don’t cut in immediately if the car slips out of control, so there is a healthy buffer, but as it does take control it also works. Nobody should drive without ESP, never. Except on the track maybe.
Consumption. I don’t really care because we need to fight the upcoming ice age, but yes, Mercedes has produced an excellent 4-cylinder 2,2 litre diesel engine. It’s a small engine with four pots, yet it has the power and torque one needs and still the average consumption is somewhere between 6,7 and 6,9 litres per 100km. Usually manufactures exaggerate these figures so I was quite surpised that the GLK actually can do what they promise, regarding the consumption.
Overall, the best car I’ve ever had and the problem is that if I start thinking about getting a new car some day there simply isn’t one that I would like instead of the GLK. BMW X3 is nice, and probably in terms of technology just as good, but it just don’t have the design and feel of a Mercedes. Audi is miles behind, the Americans can’t come close in terms of the quality… so what can I do. Stick with this GLK until they make a new one?
Oh, one more thing. My piece now has 55 000 km under it’s belt and it has never had any kind of technical malfunction. Basic maintenance has been done of course, but nothing has ever been broken. Mercedes has returned to quality after a decade or two of making rubbish. So for an ordinary family car there simply ain’t no better at the moment.
Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI Blue Efficiency
So the GLK from Mercedes. I’ve got one now for two years, since 2009. With the GLK Mercedes introduced a “compact” SUV also aiming at lower fuel consumption, which has been a trend over the past few years.
But let’s start with the design. Mercedes who does have a legendary reputation for design during its history in my opinion produced some extremely dull looking vehicles (almost as dull as VW) during the late 80s and the 90s and even to the new millenium. The GLK was its first bolder effort in designing something new and something that deserves to be called a Mercedes. It’s edgy, it has angles, it has a design that immediately caught my attention. The first beautiful Mercedes since the 70s. But it has also been a bit controversial, since I’m sure some hate its design. As to the interior everything goes along the same line as the exterior. Clean, edgy, with a twist. And after GLK the same design patterns were also introduced in the E-series, C-series and soon the M-series will have a similar lining too.
In many ways the GLK is like the E-series, just a bit higher, which is the main reason why I wanted the GLK, and not the E-series. I’m too old to crawl in and out of an ordinary sedan. It ain’t big, but not small either, would say it’s perfect for singles and small families. For big families you’ve got to go a bit bigger.
The power then. Well I got the GLK 220 CDI model, which runs on a diesel engine. Engine which isn’t noicy at all. In fact on a highway you can’t hear the engine, just the tires on the road or the wind. Only when you accelerate can you hear its mighty sound. 170 bhp ain’t too much for a heavy car, but I’d say it’s sufficient and you get to speeds over 200km/h and the twin turbo helps a lot along the way. But it’s in the torque where the magic of a diesel engine is. 400nm of torque guarantees the car accelerates fast enough under any circumstance. In fact, compared to my previous petrol engine car, entering a highway for example is a whole different ballgame. Just step on the gas, the gearbox changes down, the engine roams and it goes like a rocket, easily achieving 130km/h by the time you hit the highway from the ramp.
The 7G Tronic automatic gearbox. You can feel the changing, especially in lower gears and especially if you’re not smooth on the gas, but in higher gears you just don’t notice. Not a perfect automatic gearbox, but definitely a good one. I think VW might actually make better ones?
Handling. Outstanding. You can feel the road very precisely, the car don’t tilt when bending, probably because of the agile suspension system, and the controls are all just a small move away. Even the multi-functional turning signal, which is where Mercedes get a lot of criticism, because they simply place it differently from all the others. But I think its lower position is in fact better while driving, and after you get used to it. So I guess someone at Merc has actually thought about it. The chassis and suspension are rigid, not wobbly like they tend to be in some other cars. Just saying it’s precise.
The most important thing: safety. Yes I’m sure it has all five stars in collision tests, so the body and chassis sure are as good as they can get at the moment. And the same applies to airbags and other basic features. What I admire though is the ESP, which has saved my day already a couple of times during the icy winter days. It don’t cut in immediately if the car slips out of control, so there is a healthy buffer, but as it does take control it also works. Nobody should drive without ESP, never. Except on the track maybe.
Consumption. I don’t really care because we need to fight the upcoming ice age, but yes, Mercedes has produced an excellent 4-cylinder 2,2 litre diesel engine. It’s a small engine with four pots, yet it has the power and torque one needs and still the average consumption is somewhere between 6,7 and 6,9 litres per 100km. Usually manufactures exaggerate these figures so I was quite surpised that the GLK actually can do what they promise, regarding the consumption.
Overall, the best car I’ve ever had and the problem is that if I start thinking about getting a new car some day there simply isn’t one that I would like instead of the GLK. BMW X3 is nice, and probably in terms of technology just as good, but it just don’t have the design and feel of a Mercedes. Audi is miles behind, the Americans can’t come close in terms of the quality… so what can I do. Stick with this GLK until they make a new one?
Oh, one more thing. My piece now has 55 000 km under it’s belt and it has never had any kind of technical malfunction. Basic maintenance has been done of course, but nothing has ever been broken. Mercedes has returned to quality after a decade or two of making rubbish. So for an ordinary family car there simply ain’t no better at the moment.