Video: Mercedes-Benz GLK Concept

om, and we're here at a Mercedes reception, at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, with the GLK Freeside, even though the GLK Freeside, is technically a concept this is very close to the thing you'll see, when the real thing comes and hits dealerships, in early 2009. Now Mercedes says the GLK is styled, as a small version of the larger GL. There were a lot of GL class SUVs, parked outside, and in fact that pretty much looks to be true. You can notice the tall greenhouse, and that means there's a lot of glass which contributes to very good sight lines from the driver's seat. Now, Mercedes, has two free side concepts here in front of me, you see the on-road concept, and over there with a roof rack, and different wheels is the off-road concept. But in fact, the GLK is sort of intended to do the best of both worlds. It's got an adaptive suspension, at least the concept car does that sort of can adjust for different situations. That's something you usually don't find unless you're in a much more expensive price range. Now, the Concept Car, is a 2.2 liter diesel BlueTech engine. I spoke with the Mercedes engineer, who said, that engine isn't actually ready for prime time, quite yet. What's more than likely, is that one of the V6 gasoline engines from the C-Class, will make it in here. And the interior has a lot of good things going on. It's got the dual humps in the dashboard, it looks a lot like the S-Class, with the Navigation System, in the center. It's got some very upscale leather stitching across the dashboard, not something you typically find in the SUV in this class, and if all of this carries through to the production model, it could be very impressive. Transmission is a 7G-Tronic. It's basically a seven speed, automatic Mercedes, it's got a manumatic shift knobs, and it looks like paddle shifters on the steering wheel. So, this could actually be pretty fun to drive, with the V6 engine from the C-Class. Now the compact luxury SUV field, is getting increasingly crowded. We've got contenders like the Acura RDX, the BMW X3, and even the Infiniti FX35. And whether the GLK will hold sway well, that remains to be seen, but it looks very bold, it's got purposeful lines. It definitely stands out in this segment, and for Mercedes that votes pretty well. [Announcer] For more car related news, go to cars.com or our blog, KickingTires.