With the weekend nearly upon us, what better way to make the final hours of your Friday workday go a little quicker than with an amply-portioned Mercedes Review Roundup installment?  We couldn't agree more, so to oblige, we've assembled a total of four Mercedes reviews that scrutinize the new Mercedes GLK, the CLC Sport Coupe and the new-generation SLK-Class range. 

As always, you can find excerpts from each review as well as links back to the original articles immediately below.

Enjoy.


Mercedes-Benz GLK (via Inside Line)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"Relying on the same basic recipe used by BMW with the 3 Series-based X3, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK has been conceived around the existing platform from the third-generation 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. With its unit-body construction and compliant car-derived suspension, the GLK is the epitome of the modern-day SUV with a bias very much toward everyday on-road use. It does offer full-time all-wheel drive, however: an all-weather sort of system that nominally apportions 45 percent of the drive to the front wheels and the remaining 55 percent to the rear, with electronics taking care of stability and traction.

Aesthetically, the GLK is a bit of a challenge. Departing from Mercedes-Benz's current design lineage, it is clothed in an unusually edgy body that draws inspiration from the German carmaker's iconic G-Class. The steep screens and sheer body sides throw up some unhappy angles at times. Still, neat detailing ensures the GLK looks expensive and gives an impression of robustness — something that shouldn't be underestimated in this class.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK will be introduced to the U.S. market with the familiar 3.5-liter Mercedes V6. In the GLK350 it kicks out 268 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, only 8 hp more than the BMW X3's 3.0-liter inline-6, which is why Mercedes decided against the C-Class' 3.0-liter V6.  Though it has 4,034 pounds to haul around, the 24-valve DOHC V6 gas engine does an impressive job. Its smooth but gutsy nature combines nicely with the slick, quick action of the standard seven-speed automatic gearbox to provide brisk off-the-line acceleration and impressive in-gear performance.

Where the GLK really scores, though, is its cosseting ride. The suspension is extremely well controlled and retains its composure, with little noise being directed back into the cabin even on broken bitumen. There is none of the abrupt vertical body movement so characteristic of the BMW X3.  There is one caveat, though. Our impressions were gathered from a GLK flaunting an optional sport package, which brings such goodies as a ride height that's 0.8 inch lower, plus 235/50R19 front and 255/45R19 rear Pirelli P Zero tires."

Read Full Review »



Mercedes-Benz GLK 320 CDI (via Autocar.co.uk)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"What is it:  Mercedes-Benz’s edgy retort to the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander – the GLK.  The new mid-sized SUV sits on modified underpinnings from the company’s C-class 4Matic, and just like that car, the GLK has not been engineered for right hand drive and will not be sold in the UK. At least, not until 2011 when the German car maker says it plans to launch a right-hand drive version following what officials describe as 'a major modification to the four-wheel drive system and a repositioning of the steering rack.'  The GLK slots in at the bottom of Mercedes’ SUV hierarchy, below the ML, GL and G-Wagen.

What’s it like:  Surprisingly butch, considering its C-Class underpinnings. The moment your backside slides onto the GLK’s driver’s seat you are aware that the interior feels different from the soft-roader norm.

It all centres around GLK’s upright windscreen. Mercedes says it took inspiration from the G-class in creating its latest SUV, and this is not only reflected with the 50-degree rake of the windscreen but in many areas of the interior as well.

To call it old fashioned is probably going a little too far. The materials and trims are all very modern. But the shallow dashboard and upright seatbacks immediately remind you of 4x4s from the past. This is no real criticism, but it does mean that the Mercedes GLK takes a little getting used to first time out. That said, it is extremely comfortable over long distances.

Its prodigious 398lb ft of torque combines nicely with the slick action of the standard seven speed automatic gearbox to provide brisk off-the-line acceleration and impressive in-gear performance. Mercedes claims a 7.5sec 0-62mph time and a 137mph top speed, along with a combined fuel economy of 35.8mpg.

Predictably, it is the ride that impresses the most, though. Long travel and well matched spring rates ensure a first class ride, both around town and at higher speeds out on the open road.
A brief excursion away from the bitumen revealed the GLK is capable of delivering more in terms of off-road ability than most prospective buyers are ever likely to seek."

Read Full Review »



Mercedes-Benz CLC Sport Coupe (via evo)
Reviewer's rating: 

"CLC. That’s a Mercedes letter combination we haven’t seen before. It’s a coupe, but a small one. And it can’t be CLK because there’s one already.

The car is familiar, though. It’s the old C-class Sports Coupé, M-B’s one-time Golf GTI rival, in a new disguise to match the latest C-class, even if it lacks that car’s new underpinnings. Only doors and roof remain of panels past – there’s now a bluffer nose and a squarer tail – while underneath we find revised suspension and steering bushings for a crisper drive.

The engines are current-spec too, right up to the CLC350’s hefty 268bhp V6, Mercedes dismissing the GTI-rival notion almost as if it never existed. Matched to a six-speed manual, it makes an unexpectedly engaging driving machine, though unfortunately the UK gets the auto only. OK, so try the CLC230, also a V6 (with 2.5 litres and 201bhp) and lively enough if less smooth than a straight-six BMW.

Better-quality plastics and bolder colour schemes liven up the cabin, but you shouldn’t have to sit so high in a coupé. This is no hot hatch, but that’s not the idea. Rather it’s meant to draw buyers into the brand and turn a hefty profit. The accountants will love it."

Read Full Review »



Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (via CarPoint.com.au)
Reviewer's rating: 

"The drive program for the SLK got off to a slow start with a truck breakdown blocking traffic on a major freeway out of Brisbane for the best part of an hour. It was not an ideal start, but we did get to enjoy the SLK with top-down -- even if it wasn't quite in its natural element: surrounded by diesel fumes, with truckies shouting traffic updates to each other.  The brisk SEQ winter breeze was dispelled by the Airscarf feature, which was worth its weight in gold.

On the move once more, it became apparent that the SLK 55 was fast but the power delivery was 'soft'. The engine needed to be revving hard and it felt like the ECU wouldn't deliver full torque immediately on demand. This could be a safety aspect of the design or it could be a tactic to protect the driveline from abuse.  The V8 engine is a fairly peaky unit that was fitting for a sportscar, but needed a fairly good, hard prod of the right pedal for best results. It wasn't the sort of engine to thrive on part throttle.

The SLK 200K was also inclined to rev, needing more engine speed to deliver torque than one would expect from a supercharged engine. There was a very distinct whine once the engine was working harder, but the exhaust note lacked the ultimate excitement of the V8 in the SLK 55 AMG -- one of the most charismatic engine notes of any V8 sampled in recent times.

In some ways, the SLK 350 was the ideal balance. It had a little more punch than the Kompressor model and would rev as readily as the other two engines -- if not more so -- and it offered better midrange torque than the supercharged engine.  Shorter in length than either the Kompressor engine or the AMG V8, the V6 probably contributed to a slightly better weight distribution in the SLK 350. This manifested itself in its better handling and steering across a range of roads.

The SLK 200 Kompressor was a bit lighter on its feet than the V8 sibling, despite being fitted with slightly firmer sports suspension. The ride in the supercharged four was substantially better than the SLK 55's and, with its greater compliance, was less likely to be knocked off line. Lay some blame also at the 55's lower-profile tyres which exacerbated the unsympathetic ride.

All models provided good steering feedback, but the added weight in the nose of the V8 made for less consistent steering, which needed more adjustment through a typical corner than either the four or the six did.  All three were close to neutral in handling (although not as close as big brother SL, as we discovered the day after driving the SLKs) but the SLK 55 is slightly more like a go-kart than a sophisticated sportscar. With its magnificent engine and tied-down suspension, it would be fantastic for track days, but subjectively, a touch too uncompromising during the week."

Read Full Review »



And to Shiv:  many thanks for the tips my good sir; we sincerely appreciate them.