Baby Benz set for Australia

Its latest bonny baby, the compact four-wheel-drive GLK, is heading our way.

But when the pre-shrunk version of the M-Class 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 version 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.

That left Benz without a contender in the booming Australian 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 of torque 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.