Throwback Thursday: The Mercedes-Benz GLK At SEMA: The RENNTech GLK Pikes Peak Rally Racer

RENNtech's GLK was inspired by the winged, unlimited-class rally cars of the famed Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Inspired by the winged, unlimited-class rally cars of the famed Pikes Peak Hill Climb, RENNtech set about creating a GLK that could master the pack and leave the rest chewing gravel. But, this wild GLK has a few surprises beneath its menacing exterior.

Hybrid powertrains are generally associated with fuel efficiency and lower emissions. However, RENNtech has taken one more benefit of the hybrid principle to turn the GLK into a formidable performer. By combining an electric motor in parallel with the 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine, RENNtech has been able to capture the impressive torque that characterises electric motor drives, adding 54 Nm to enhance the GLK’s performance off-the-line and out of corners. Using a hybrid drive in a hill climb setting has the added advantage of maintaining thrust at higher altitudes, when internal combustion engines – which depend on ambient air – start to wheeze.

The specialist Mercedes tuning company has also worked its magic on the base 3.5 litre V6 unit, using components from the latest Mercedes-Benz high-performance 3.5 litre V6 Sport engine. These include a special intake manifold, cams and cylinder heads, to which RENNtech has added its own long-tube headers, composite air intake and RENNtech ECU software. Engine output is up to approximately 350 hp, augmented further by the electric motor from the hybrid drive.

The additional 72 volt drive is run by 12 volt plug-in batteries. RENNtech is currently working on a nickel-hydride solution with regenerative charging for additional range.

“The GLK Rally Racer Hybrid is a fully-functioning test bed,” explains Hartmut Feyhl, founder and President of RENNtech. “We will use this vehicle as a proof-of-concept, which we will develop and enhance throughout next year.”

“With the Rally Racer, we have really increased the car’s performance,” continues Feyhl. “Together with the more aggressive, sporting look, we have created a powerful and exciting package.”

It is also worth noting that, despite the performance enhancements, RENNtech has succeeded in improving the fuel economy of the Rally Racer compared with the original version, “proving that high performance and efficiency can coexist,” adds Feyhl.

Bearing in mind that the Rally Racer is built for speed on tough terrain, RENNtech opted to forego creature comforts, cutting the weight of the standard GLK by removing most of the sound insulation and replacing the Mercedes-Benz seats with lightweight carbon-fibre buckets. Engineers also fitted a full roll cage and moved several components towards the rear of the vehicle to create an almost perfect 50:50 front/rear weight distribution for improved handling on tight, demanding rally stages.

Another significant handling modification comes from the custom coil-over suspension. Made to RENNtech specifications by suspension supplier KW, the package allows for adjustments in height, rake, damping rate, camber and toe-in.

Extra stopping power is provided for the Rally Racer courtesy of an in-house RENNtech brake combo featuring massive 412mm, 2-piece rotors with 8-piston callipers at the front, and 356mm discs grabbed by 4-pot callipers at the rear.

Lightweight 20 inch 3-piece, 5-spoke RENNtech wheels in a “Sniper Gray” anthracite finish, clad in NT05 275/40 20 Nitto rubber at the front and NT05 315/35 20 at the rear, fill the prominent wheel flares that underscore this GLK’s performance potential.

Although extensive exterior revisions were made to accommodate the larger wheels and brakes and to widen the track, the focus of bodyshell modifications was enhanced aerodynamic efficiency. RENNtech used the latest in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to develop the package. The front splitter, rear diffuser and lower side skirts help direct airflow underneath the GLK Rally Racer to reduce drag and produce added downforce, while improving high speed stability at the rear. The rear wing elements also serve an important aerodynamic purpose and add emphasis to the aggressive edginess of the original GLK design. From a visual perspective, RENNtech engineers successfully melded their aerodynamic modifications with the flared wheel arches to create a powerful side line that highlights the dynamic thrust of the Rally Racer.

“The GLK was a great starting point for this project,” says Hartmut Feyhl, “It has excellent underpinnings for performance tuning and I think the overall look really suits it.”

“The GLK gave us a great deal of scope for bringing together form and function. For the RENNtech GLK, performance may have been the primary goal, but it also looks the part,” he adds.

Mercedes GLK350 Schwarz Edition Debuts in Japan

The Mercedes GLK350 Schwarz Edition brings a unique paint color and exclusive options to the Japanese market

If you’re a resident of Japan, Mercedes has debuted another special edition model for the Japanese market – a limited production SUV entitled the GLK350 “Schwarz Edition” (schwarz means black in German).  This follows up the Mercedes B180 Northern Lights Black Limited Edition, another model made exclusively for Japanese consumers.

Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4Matic Special Edition Schwarz

Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4Matic Special Edition Schwarz

As for what you can expect from the GLK350 Schwarz Edition, highlights include  glossy obsidian exterior paint, 20-inch AMG 5 twin-spoke aluminum wheels (with obsidian highlights to match the exterior), and an interior clad in Artico leather and black ash wood trim.  Other unique elements include a radar safety package with brake assist, stainless steel foot pedals and foot boards, and a driver’s seat memory package to store seat settings.

If you want one, you’ll have to act quickly.  Only 100 GLK 350 Schwarz Editions are set for production, with pricing set at 6.84 million yen (approx $68,000).  You can see more of the Mercedes GLK 350 Schwarz Edition in the photo gallery below.

Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car by RENNtech

RENNtech revamps Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak rally car for U.S. tour

In 2008, RENNtech unveiled the GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Peak Rally Car, a concept vehicle which won the 2008 SEMA Show Mercedes-Benz tuner build off competition. This vehicle was designed not only to turn heads as a show car, but to serve as a proof-of-concept and testament to their dedication to a core concept; performance without compromise. Fast forward nearly 3 years, countless automotive trade shows, numerous track events and extensive real world miles; the GLK Pikes Peak project has been completely revamped and restyled for a final tour in 2011 with Mercedes-Benz USA.

Upon completion of the US tour schedule, the GLK will retire to a place of honor in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Vehicle Museum located in Irvine, CA as part of their permanent collection. This will be the second vehicle prepared by RENNtech that has found its way into the hallowed halls of the Mercedes-Benz Museum Collection, the first of which was the E60 RS project car built for comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

When approached with the opportunity, RENNtech completely revamped the vehicles exterior and collaborated once again with 3M Commercial Graphics Division to complement the GLK’s aggressive exterior styling. This original body kit was entirely designed and engineered by RENNtech in-house, using the latest in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software and rapid prototype capabilities. The concept behind the restyling was to not only completely change the vehicles appearance, but utilize vinyl materials in finishes rarely seen in the automotive world. 3M chose the RENNtech GLK as the showpiece to revel their latest product line of 1080 Scotchprint ® textured automotive vinyl wrap. This preprinted, 3.5 mil dual cast film was applied to nearly every exterior surface of the vehicle in a stunning combination of brushed steel (1080-BR201) and black carbon fiber (1080 CF-12) with subtle red pin stripping to further accent the vehicles bold lines.

The GLK350 Pikes Peak Project was unveiled to the public during Mercedes-Benz’ first leg of their tour schedule at the Pittsburgh International Automotive Show February 10-13th, 2011. Additional stops on the tour schedule include Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Denver. After its time on the road, the vehicle can be seen at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Vehicle Museum in Irvine, California.

RENNtech worked with and was supported by several companies that can be seen below.

  • Mercedes-Benz
  • 3M
  • KW Suspensions
  • Geoff’s Curtain Walls
  • Nitto Tires
  • Optima Batteries
  • JRD
  • Schroth Racing
  • Technicar
  • Seibon

Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup: The 2010 Mercedes GLK350 4MATIC

Three publications weighing in on Mercedes' newest SUV – the highly publicized 2010 GLK350 4MATIC

Yet another batch of Mercedes reviews have managed to infiltrate the eMercedesBenz offices on this frigid Tuesday morning, with a grand total of three publications weighing in on Mercedes’ newest SUV – the highly publicized 2010 GLK350 4MATIC.

As is the case with all our Mercedes Review Roundups, you read excerpts highlighting precisely what reviewers thought of the new model immediately below, along with links back to the various publications’ full, action-packed articles.

Enjoy ladies and gentlemen.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC (via Motor Trend)

Reviewer’s rating: Unspecified

“Few Mercedes-Benz owners in the U.S. ever take their vehicles off-road, a reality the German automaker not only realizes but embraces. Thus, the GLK is targeted at affluent women — and it appears Mercedes has hit its mark. This baby Benz has clearly been refined for the on-road market.

Consider the evidence: The off-road package that Mercedes-Benz claims will allow the GLK to rival the Land Rover LR2 in off-road capability will not be available in the U.S. Neither will the two Euro-market diesel engines, despite their efficiency advantages. As if to drive the point home, our tester arrived wearing 20-inch wheels wrapped with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. While the sidewalls may have revealed a mud and snow rating, the tread hardly looked trail-ready. Clearly, the GLK350 is not meant to tackle much more than the occasional snowy drive to a condo in the mountains.

We’re okay with that, because while the GLK might not keep up with a Jeep Wrangler on the soft stuff, it will be far more pleasant to live with during the work week. Heated leather seats, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, and a superb stereo will make the office commute and jaunts to the mall and supermarket more than bearable. The fully adjustable seats keep your backside happy on long drives, and the COMAND infotainment system is easy to learn and provides quick access to stereo, phone, and navigation. While the COMAND control knob operates much like BMW’s iDrive, the system is more user-friendly. Unfortunately, Mercedes has placed the knob at an odd angle behind the gear select lever, requiring an uncomfortable reach. Moving it just an inch farther forward, away from the edge of the armrest, would help immensely.

While the satellite radio and iPod interface will keep you entertained in traffic, the superb drivetrain will put a smile on your face when you finally get out of town. In the hills above Malibu, the 268-horsepower V-6, seven-speed automatic transmission, and 4Matic all-wheel drive system make the GLK350 a surprisingly sporty ride. While the steering is, in typical SUV fashion, rather slow (2.75 turns lock-to-lock,), it’s accurate. The big Pirelli meats offer impressive grip, and even when they began to let go, stability and traction control quickly reeled in the errant wheels. At the track, all that grip, plus surprisingly flat cornering, translated to an impressive 0.80 g of lateral acceleration and an equally impressive 28.1-second lap time around the Motor Trend Figure Eight.

The transmission rocks. While the GLK’s seven-speed auto allows for manual shifting by rocking the shift lever left to right, driver input really isn’t necessary. Switch the vehicle from Comfort Mode to Sport mode and the seven-speed will hold gears longer, allowing quick bursts between turns without ever changing cogs.

On the track, the 3.5-liter V-6 hustled the Benz to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. Stops were equally impressive: 60 to 0 mph in just 124 feet. Brake-pedal feel left much to be desired, though. The first half of travel is mushy and provides little stopping power. Then, forces suddenly firm up considerably and the brakes bite hard. The GLK needs a more gradual, linear braking response.

To their credit, the brakes have a tough job. Despite its smallish size, the GLK tips the scales at 4214 pounds. Still, the GLK never feels like a porker. Merging and passing on the freeway are effortless, and the GLK can pull off a 15.0-second quarter-mile at 92.9 mph. The real penalty is fuel economy: The GLK carries an estimated EPA city/highway rating of just 16/22 mpg. And it only drinks premium.”

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC (via Car and Driver)

Reviewer’s rating: Unspecified

“Associations with Mercedes-Benz and sticker prices typically involve an adjective equivalent to the word “high.” So it’s a bit of a surprise to find out that the 2010 GLK350 4MATIC starts at a not unreasonable $36,775, which is $3450 less than a 2009 BMW X3 sport-ute. A two-wheel-drive GLK, coming in April, will shed another $2000 off the window sticker. The competitive pricing—an Acura RDX SUV starts $2320 below the 4MATIC—is meant to lure “conquest buyers.” Mercedes-Benz predicts that 70 percent of GLK customers will be new to the German luxury brand.

The cost-wary might want to avoid some of the $6670 worth of extravagant options on our test car. Highlights include the $3350 Multimedia package (which includes navigation) and a $970 appearance package with 20-inch wheels and tires and chromed roof rails. Running boards add another $660 and are positioned to soil clean pants upon exiting the vehicle.

Mercedes has hit the mark perfectly with the GLK. The 3.5-liter V-6 puts out 268 horsepower, eight more than the X3. The 4219-pound curb weight is on the heavy side of the class average, but the seven-speed automatic allows for shorter ratios in the lower gears, resulting in a 0-to-60-mph time of 6.5 seconds. That’s dead even with the RDX, which was quickest in our most recent small-luxury-SUV comparo.

Despite 0.82 g of grip, the GLK doesn’t offer the carlike handling of the RDX or the X3. A soft ride is backed up by one-finger-light steering, and uneven pavement results in pronounced head toss. Though refined, the GLK drives more like its G-wagen looks than its C-class underpinnings.

Cargo space—23 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 55 cubes with the seats folded–isn’t as much as you’d get in the RDX or the X3. The rear seat has plenty of kneeroom, which is an improvement over the C-class. Mercedes doesn’t sell the wagon version of the C-class stateside, but the GLK fills that role perfectly, as long as you’re not looking for driving thrills.”

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC (via SearchChicago)

Reviewer’s rating: Unspecified

“If I were ever going to own an SUV, it would be something like the all-new Mercedes Benz GLK350. It’s got a lengthy list of standards at a base level. It drives incredibly well. It’s small enough for comfortable city driving, yet large enough to have usable cargo space. And it’s attractive. Not to mention the Mercedes cachet. Oh, and the base price? It rings in at $34,775.

The five-passenger GLK-Class launches as a 2010 model, but the 4MATIC model is available now, and the base rear-wheel drive GLK350 appears at dealers in April. The GLK is slotted as the new compact entry-level SUV for Mercedes, with a price point to match. Upgrading to the M-Class increases the MSRP by $13K, and the GL-Class adds $24K over the GLK.

Without spending any extra money on options, a buyer is looking at standard features such as 19-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires, dual chrome exhaust tips, roof rails, Bluetooth, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control adaptive brakes, six airbags and Agility Control suspension.

What isn’t included are some fairly basic features I’d expect at a luxury level. However, this à la cart menu is typical of a Mercedes. Here’s a heads up for you on some of those items you’ll have to pay extra for: an iPod integration kit ($375), park assist ($790), heated front seats ($740) and any color of exterior paint other than red, white or black ($720). The test vehicle was the 4MATIC version, which was greatly appreciated in this hideous weather we’ve been having. Base price with the all-wheel drive is $36,775, and believe me, for an extra $2K over the base model, it’s so worth it.

Powering the GLK is a 3.5-liter V-6, and this engine is superb. It delivers 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Mated to the seven-speed transmission, the power is smooth seamless and fast. Fast to the tune of 6.5 seconds for a 0-to-60-mph time. Not bad for a 4,036-pound vehicle.

Whether I was navigating through the mounds of snow in my alley or zipping down the highway, the GLK was perfectly acclimated to both situations. From the engine power to the actual ride-and-handling, I have zero complaints with how the test vehicle drove. It did exactly what I needed in every situation, and I couldn’t have been more pleased.

I was also pleased with the looks of Mercedes’ newest SUV. The GLK has strong straight lines and the bold Mercedes grille. It’s more than just a sawed-off version of the ML-Class and GL-Class SUVs. It has a more angular profile, and, in my opinion, it’s more attractive. The long nose combined with the chiseled hood lines and fender flares are distinct and modern.”

American Express My Wishlist Giving Away Three 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Models December 18th

American Express will be giving away three of the new Mercedes-Benz GLK350 SUV's tomorrow via their My Wishlist contest

I probably shouldn’t be telling you this (seeing as how I’ll be attempting to procure one for myself), but if you’re in the market for a new 2010 Mercedes GLK350, American Express will be giving away three of the new SUV’s tomorrow via their My Wishlist contest. Assuming you live in the U.S., are an American Express cardholder and meet the various eligibility requirements, the rules to win are simple: head over to the American Express My Wishlist page, unlock the GLK350 by entering your Amex card info, and when the three GLK’s become available at 12:00 PM EST, 3:00 PM EST and 7:00 PM EST tomorrow December 18th, hit the “GO FOR IT” button and pray, pray, pray. You can press the button as many times as you wish, and if luck is on your side and you click at precisely the right time, the 2010 Mercedes GLK shall be yours.

Of course, before entering you should read the My Wishlist complete set of rules for yourself to ensure that I haven’t forgotten to stipulate anything, but above is the quick summary of what you need to know if you want to win.

As for what exactly you’re bestowed with if you are one of the chosen three American Express cardholders, the exact prize is a model year 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 in Arctic White exterior with black MB-Tex interior; a Premium Package which includes a 115V AC power outlet, compass in rear view mirror, auto-dimming mirrors, power driver’s seat and steering column with memory, rain-sensing wipers, SIRIUS Satellite Radio (with a 6-month subscription included) and power liftgate; and heated front seats. To avoid the tax problems that arise when you’re given a new vehicle – the problems that Oprah made famous not so long ago – American Express is also tossing in a check for roughly $35,000 to the winners, ensuring Uncle Sam gets his dues as well.

And that’s just about it ladies and gentlemen. Set your alarms, get your clicking finger ready and prepare to do battle with legions of American Express customers – it all goes down tomorrow.