One awesome engine, many cars – this seems to be what Mercedes is planning for us. The news we received today even managed to catch us by surprise, as an Affalterbach version of the humble GLK-Class compact SUV is reportedly on its way. Let us elaborate!
According to American magazine Car & Driver, Mercedes-Benz are going to launch an AMG version of the next-generation GLK, due out about a year from now. And get this: it will use the same 4-liter twin-turbo engine as the GT C190 sportscar and the next C 63 AMG.
The GLK is the only Mercedes SUV without an AMG version. Even the GLA baby model of the range has one that uses hot hatch technology. The next-gen GLK-Class shares its platform with the new W205 C-Class and will probably have a similar wheelbase. Implementation is thus not that big of an issue, but the market case is, which is why there's never been a performance SUV this size.
No work on power yet, but it's reasonable to expect somewhere around 450 PS. Keeping all its ducks in a row, AMG is likely to offer the exact same (rumored) 462 PS output on this and all the C 63 AMG models (sedan, coupe, cabrio and estate).
Compact in size, but practical, and powered by the same engine as the successor to the SLR and SLS… that sounds like the perfect combination. Mercedes are not, however, alone in this. BMW has just started work on a new model called the X4 M40i. It will have a de-tuned version of the biturbo 3-liter in the M3/M4, brought down to about 370 PS. Audi, meanwhile, still offers two versions of the SQ5, with 313 PS (diesel) or 333 PS (supercharged petrol).
But those are like semi-slim milk compared to the full-fat, extra flavor monster that the GLK 63 AMG should become.
The GLK is the only Mercedes SUV without an AMG version. Even the GLA baby model of the range has one that uses hot hatch technology. The next-gen GLK-Class shares its platform with the new W205 C-Class and will probably have a similar wheelbase. Implementation is thus not that big of an issue, but the market case is, which is why there's never been a performance SUV this size.
No work on power yet, but it's reasonable to expect somewhere around 450 PS. Keeping all its ducks in a row, AMG is likely to offer the exact same (rumored) 462 PS output on this and all the C 63 AMG models (sedan, coupe, cabrio and estate).
Compact in size, but practical, and powered by the same engine as the successor to the SLR and SLS… that sounds like the perfect combination. Mercedes are not, however, alone in this. BMW has just started work on a new model called the X4 M40i. It will have a de-tuned version of the biturbo 3-liter in the M3/M4, brought down to about 370 PS. Audi, meanwhile, still offers two versions of the SQ5, with 313 PS (diesel) or 333 PS (supercharged petrol).
But those are like semi-slim milk compared to the full-fat, extra flavor monster that the GLK 63 AMG should become.