At a press event in Kitzbuehl, Austria, Car and Driver met with the head of Mercedes passenger car design Hans-Dieter Futschik to witness firsthand the Mercedes' newest addition to its SUV family:  the GLK-Class.  Although taking photos of the model wasn't permitted, a number of details of the model have been revealed, well ahead of its premier which is currently scheduled to take place in the second half of 2008.

As for what to expect, here's a quick rundown.  Power in the U.S. is expected to come from three engines: a 228 hp 3.0-liter V-6 in the GLK300 (the GLK280 in Europe), a 268 hp 3.5-liter V-6 in the GLK350, and a 224 hp diesel in the GLK320 CDI Bluetec; while Europeans will receive an additional variant:  a 204 hp gasoline V-6 in the GLK230.  In terms of sizing, the GLK measures 180 inches long, 68 inches wide and 71 inches tall, making the new sport-ute 10 inches shorter than an ML and 22 inches shorter than a GL. It rides on a 109 inch wheelbase, sharing the platform of the new C-Class (including axles and suspension).

As for technology, 4MATIC comes standard (although the GLK won't be equipped with an off-road package, meaning there's no low range and no conventional differential locks); the COMAND system; electronic stability control; seven airbags; and an agility control system, which automatically switches between the Comfort and Sport drive settings.  There's a few other details revealed as well, but this at least gives you the main points of what to expect from the GLK.

For the complete list of what Car and Driver discovered at their private GLK showing, you can check out their article in its entirety at CarAndDriver.com.

Enjoy.