The Mercedes-Benz GLK will come to Australia, but we probably won’t get the hybrid version until the second generation. Photo Gallery
Latecomer Mercedes Benz is joining the compact SUV party in Australia after all.
Its latest bonny baby, the compact four-wheel drive GLK is heading our way. But when the pre-shrunk version of the M-Class it gets here, probably late in 2010, it will be missing one vital ingredient _ all-wheel drive.
Benz has confirmed the Daimler-developed GLK compact will initially be sold here as a rear-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive won't hit our market until the second generation model, now under development, is released. It is also tipped to feature a hybrid diesel/electric power train.
By then Benz will have sorted out an oversight in the GLK's design. The right-hand drive versions can't be fitted with all-wheel traction because there is no room for the system without making costly engineering changes.
The GLK wasn't on the radar for Australia because it was designed for left-hand drive markets. For the rest of the world that left Benz without a contender in the booming SUV market to fight BMW's X3, Audi's Q5, VW's Tiguan and the Volvo XC60.
Now it appears Benz has had a change of heart after reviewing a business case study put up by Britain and Australia. When it does arrive there will be a choice of 3.5-litre V6 petrol or a 2.2-litre diesel with 400Nm on tap.
Meanwhile, Australians are being denied one of the more potent models in the Benz coupe line-up — the 4Matic version of the stunning C-Class CL500.
It's the first time the all-wheel drive system has been fitted to a luxury coupe and would have fitted the Australian market well, but it is also not made in right-hand drive.
The lightweight 4MATIC system splits drive between front and rear wheels through a planetary gear centre differential which also has a twin plate clutch to allow some variance in torque between axles.
Cheap tyres 
Credit crunch 
Ford Fiesta 
Hyundai ix35
