Does telepathy exist in the automotive industry? Arch rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz are showing two SUV concepts that are—at least partly—technological clones.
There is certainly no mistaking the boxy Mercedes GLK with BMW's well-established X5, but the technology under the skin of BMW's X5 Vision diesel hybrid concept and Mercedes' Vision GLK BlueTec hybrid is similar.
The GLK hybrid concept uses a 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel with the jointly developed hybrid module that incorporates start/stop functionality along with an electric motor that provides additional thrust as well as regenerative braking. However, the GLK can’t propel itself under electric power only, unlike many hybrids. There shouldn’t be many complaints about the power, though, with a combined output of 221 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque.
That translates into a claimed 0-to-62-mph time of 7.3 seconds, a top speed of 134 mph, and Euro-cycle mileage of 39.8 mpg. Acceleration and consumption are even better than in BMW's concept, but remember that the GLK is a smaller SUV comparable in size to a BMW X3 and that this GLK is rear-wheel drive only. The X5 concept has all-wheel drive.
Although the electric module is virtually identical, the diesel engine in the GLK concept is a milestone for Mercedes. It’s a preview of a new diesel-engine family that will have four-cylinder and six-cylinder variations. The new engines will be rolled out starting in 2009.
Like BMW, Mercedes says its hybrid technology won't be confined to SUVs.
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