2WD GLK for Oz

Mercedes-Benz's hit compact SUV, the GLK will almost certainly be built in right-hand drive and will come Down Under.

Launched in Europe in late 2008 and on sale in the USA this month, the GLK is already a hit in the northern hemisphere. Available in a range of four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel models, the five-seater is built on the same platform as the 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) version of the W204 C-Class. Though the configuration of the platform's all-wheel drive hardware will prevent Mercedes from building a 4x4 right-hand drive version, the company is set to push ahead with a two-wheel-drive right hooker for the Japanese and United Kingdom markets. That decision opens the way for the vehicle to come Down Under.

"It's not locked in but we are very confident the GLK will come to Australia in two-wheel drive," Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman, David McCarthy told the Carsales Network during a ‘sneak peek' drive of the GLK on the US West Coast last week.

According to McCarthy the right-hooker GLK could be introduced at the car's mid-version facelift in around "18 months to two years time".

"Australia and other right-hand drive markets are working hard to get the GLK as soon as possible," McCarthy said.

"We believe the GLK's mix of rear-wheel drive dynamics, equipment level, performance and safety makes it a compelling package."

McCarthy suggested that the GLK would sell "for [BMW] X3 money."

"In today's terms we're looking at a starting price in the low to mid-$60s," he opined.

Though offered in six-cylinder petrol versions in Europe and the USA, it's possible the GLK would arrive Down Under in an all four-cylinder range.

"The sweet spot of the GLK is in the $60-80K range… That could rule out the six-cylinder versions," McCarthy said.

That shouldn't necessarily hamstring the GLK too much, however. In addition to an entry-level supercharged 200 version, the GLK could pack Benz's latest 250 CGI direct-injected turbocharged petrol four and the 500Nm twin-turbo 250 CDI diesel. Both engines will appear Down Under in the new W212 E-Class (more here) later this year, with the latter engine in particular well suited to the GLK application.

McCarthy believes the lack of all-wheel drive will not impact GLK sales volumes significantly.

"We'd obviously love to be able to offer both variants, but if people really need all-wheel drive then we will continue to offer the ML."

He says also that the decision to add the GLK will not mean an end to the C-Class Estate in Oz.

"We see Estate buyers as another customer group. Obviously there could be some substitution but we're confident the GLK represents a real incremental growth opportunity for us."

Look out for the Carsales Network's drive impression of the Mercedes-Benz GLK soon.