G-Wagen Redux
Germany’s Auto-BILD thinks it knows how it will look when Daimler shrinks the G-Wagen. In 2015, Daimler will bring out a GLG based on the new A-Class, says the magazine. Auto-BILD hasn’t seen more than the own renderings, but that doesn’t keep the rag from bitching:
“The off-road characteristics are everything but distinctive: The base model is front wheel drive, and the 4Matic version can do little more than wet meadows and snow-covered farm tracks.”
While the GLG tries to be as boxy as the big G brother, the GLA will be a bit more rounded. Expected in 2014.
The GLK is expected in 2015.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Could two cars be any further apart than the G and A? RIP G
I believe I have purchased my last Mercedes-Benz product. They are simply cheapening the car too much. I've owned 7 including 2 W124s (with the possible exception of the W126, the best they ever built). Just for fun about 10 years ago I bought a 1967 230S (W111) fintail sedan. I could see that even in this 35-year-old (at the time) machine the "luxury" was in the engineering and execution of the vehicle - not in the bells and whistles. I was able to make an interesting comparison, though protracted and possibly not completely objective because of the passage of time, with my father's 1967 Cadillac sedan. Remember GM was at the top of its game in the 1960s and Mercedes-Benz was still trying to "figure out" the U. S. auto buyer. Nevertheless, my dad would have been much impressed with the handling of the swing axle Mercedes if not its "climate control." Two other Benz that have been in my garage were a 2003 ML350 (W163) which was traded for a 2010 GLK 350 (x204); both driven by my wife. She really liked the ML but likes the GLK even more. The ML was definitely a truck. Still I can see where more cost cutting has occured especially in the quality of the interior materials. Here's the killing thing though: My 2007 C280 (W203) makes a little chirping sound when one locks the doors with the remote 'key' which also sets the alarm. The new C-class (W204), which I drove as a loaner whent the GLK was in for scheduled maintenance, toots the horn to let you know the alarm is set just like a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Good grief! That is going a bit too far in cheapness for a $40,000 compact car.