MLK Is On Way As Mercedes Joins Party, Too

Just as the Freelander adopts similar styling to the Discovery, Mercedes' new small SUV is looking to its larger M-Class brother for inspiration.

Auto Express Car Reviews

27th April 2005

The top-secret model is still unnamed, but it's thought it will be called either the MLK or X-Class. Ready to open up the three-pointed star to a wider audience, the new car will bring sleek styling and polished road manners to the premium compact SUV sector.

Engines are expected to be borrowed from entry-level M-Class variants, while the mechanicals are already under test and Mercedes engineers have been spied putting prototypes of the off-roader through their paces at the N΃¼rburgring in Germany.

Offering similar levels of practicality to the new B-Class compact MPV the newcomer will have seating for five with a versatile sliding rear bench. The rest of the interior will take on a similar style to the M-Class, with sharp design and plenty of luxury.

Company bosses are refusing to be drawn on the new model's schedules, but insist the project is still in its infancy. As a result, buyers shouldn't expect to be able to place an order before 2008.