Can you hear the hollow thunk of your $500 Manolo Blahnik shoes trudging their way down Fifth Avenue for another glorious day of shopping? Do you somehow manage to afford to eat at the finest restaurants in New York at all hours of the day, yet never seem to work? Is your Swarovski Crystal-encrusted Pink Razor telephone constantly going off with calls from your boyfriend known only as “Mr. Big?”
Is this reality? No, but it is the life of fictional character Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker in this summer’s “Sex and the City” movie.
Are you wondering what in the heck this has to do with the automobile world? Sorry, we got side tracked wondering how Carrie affords those $500 shoes on a writer's salary.
In another case of fortuitous product placement, Mercedes-Benz is introducing the world to its new GLK 350 mini-SUV by having Samantha, played by Kim Kattrall, drive around in the vehicle during a number of scenes in the movie.
The new GLK is designed to go head to head against the aging BMW X3 and gain hold in the market before the launch of the new Audi Q5. It looks to us like the premium mini SUV market is going to be one of the most competitive segments in the near future. We are also pretty sure there is a pretty big market for vehicles like this out there. Sometimes the inside of a CR-V just isn’t fancy enough for some people—even with leather seats.
Motivation for the SUV comes from the tried and true 268 horsepower 3.5 liter 6 cylinder engine found in various C, E and ML class models. The vehicle will be available in rear wheel drive or 4matic all wheel drive configurations.
Wait a minute. What exactly is the point of a rear drive SUV? Shouldn’t an SUV have traction in the snow? We are sure the neighbors would snicker endlessly behind your back if they had to pull that shiny new Mercedes out of your driveway with their Suburban some snowy morning.
As is the norm with most Mercedes, the options list will be endless, much like the list of Samantha’s ex-paramours on “Sex and the City.” A panoramic sunroof, the COMAND navigation/hard drive system (think BMW iDrive but actually comprehensible), and myriad sound system upgrades will all cost extra. At least you get some fancy Sienna pine accents to brighten up the cabin!
As with the “Sex and the City” movie, we are confident that the new Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 will be a huge success with ladies who lunch. As for the rest of the population, we think there are plenty of fans of the TV show and movie who will be swayed enough by sassy and stylish Samantha to want the luxury SUV.
Our take? So there you have it! The “sexy” new GLK, coming to a “city” near you!