Mercedes GLK on track

A right-hand-drive Mercedes-Benz GLK is moving closer to our shores.

Daimler-Benz executives are in favour of a model for right-hand drive markets, including Australia.

After saying the car would not be built in right-hand-drive, Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche says there is a good chance it will reach our showrooms, but won't say when.

Zetsche confirmed that no right-hand-drive GLK had been planned, but Australia, South Africa and the UK had asked for the car.

“That was the initial situation, but we're working on it and I'm pretty confident we will solve it,” he says.

Other Mercedes executives at this month's Beijing's Auto China Motor Show say a right-hand-drive GLK could arrive when the car is updated in 2010 or '11.

The GLK goes on sale in Europe this year and will have a new performance-oriented twin-turbo 2.1-litre CDI four-cylinder engine among its engine options. The engine is expected to be available in the C-Class here next year.

The GLK CDI is aimed at the Audi Q3 and Q5, BMW X3 and Volkswagen Tiguan. In its most potent state of tune, the twin-turbo Benz engine develops 150kW at 4200 revs and 500Nm from only 1600 revs while consuming 5.4 litres/100km.

Europe will have a 200 CDI, 220 CDI and 250 CDI, in three states of tune.

The 200 CDI model develops 100kW at 3000 revs and 330Nm from 1600 revs and the mid-range 220 CDI develops 125kW at 3200 revs and 400Nm from 1400 revs.

Performance is a strong point.

Mercedes says the car will hit 100km/h in 7.7 seconds in its most powerful state of tune