With winter almost here, Mercedes thought about GLK owners and has decided to release a range of genuine accessories for their latest SUV. The range includes a 450 liters easy-fit roof box XL that matches the original GLK paintwork shade, lockable New Alustyle ski and snowboard rack that holds up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, New Alustyle bicycle rack, over 50 different mobile-phone holders (including the Apple iPhone and iPhone 3G), iPod Interface Kit that integrates the Apple iPod fully into the on-board audio system, high-sheen chromed styling products (chrome strips for the front bumper, fog lamp surrounds, exterior mirror housings and door handle), plus individual light-alloy wheels, such as the two 5-twin-spoke models. There are a lot of other accessories for the GLK, so if you’re interested, you can ask for more details from your local dealer or from Mercedes partners.

Photo Gallery: Mercedes Benz GLK genuine accessories

Read More: "Genuine accessories for the Mercedes Benz GLK"

Every year, the Las Vegas SEMA Show is a great opportunity for carmakers to show that their cars are premium material for tuning programs. This year, to market its GLK SUV that will go on sale in the United States in January, Mercedes has announced that it will bring four modified versions of the mid-sized SUV. The four companies that are ‘responsible’ for this creation are Brabus, RennTech, Boulevard Customs and Legendary Motor Cars. What’s interesting is that we’ll be able to vote our favorite one, and the winner will be announced on December 2, after the LA Auto Show.

The Brabus Widestar is based on the GLK300 Bluetec and it features wide front and rear wheel arches and bumpers, Brabus wheels and a completely customized interior. The RennTech Rally Racer GLK concept is built on a hybrid powertrain and was inspired by the unlimited-class rally cars at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb. Despite the long name, this is the most stylish one, if you ask us.

The Boulevard Customs ‘Urban Whip’ seems to be especially built for P.Diddy or Pharrell, because it features a wide-body styling kit, 26-inch wheels and a new interior with a customized…guess what…stereo system. By far the most extreme model is the Legendary Motor Cars’ ‘Four Corners Rock Crawler’, which, besides the obvious mods (huge wheels and tires, two-tone color, four lights on the hood, front rollbar) also includes a winching system for extreme sports enthusiasts.

Check out all the models after the jump. Read More: "Mercedes preparing modified GLK fleet for SEMA"

Only a month after the first orders, it seems that the new Mercedes Benz GLK figured out the recipe of success, because 10,000 cars have already been reserved only in Western Europe. 1000 units from the 10,000 models ordered, are GLK Edition1, a model available exclusively at the time of getting out, with a particular exterior design, a different interior and an AMG leather steering wheel. The first deliveries will begin in October, and first US owners will get their cars in 2009.

The compact crossover market segment will be really disputed in the next period, most manufacturers preparing one player for this class. What is the GLK? If you analyze the acronym GLK with the German-English dictionary, you will find that letter K stands for “kurz” which means “short”. So the model will be a “miniature” of seven seats Mercedes model and inherits many features of bigger brother, including the quadrate profile.

With 4.52 meters, GLK is shorter than the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5, but longer than the Volkswagen Tiguan. If we compare strictly the german quartet we’ll have to wait until we see them all on the roads, but in manufacturers class Mercedes is in top, having the most diverse group in the crossover premium group.

The GLK was seen in videos, so mystery surrounding the release of the series has pretty much dissapeared. The commercial version does not differ much from the concept that was presented at the Auto Show in Detroit.

Mercedes says that GLK is one of the best SUVs on the road. All versions are equipped with 4MATIC full traction and the power distribution ratio is 45:55. The secret skills outside the road lie in the specific program activated by the “G” button placed on the central console. With a single click of a button accelerations becomes more soft and enable off-road ESP, which improves the control.

The top of the line is the GLK350 which comes with a 272 hp 3.5 liter V6 and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (60 mph) in only 6.2 seconds. Europeans will also get the 170 hp 220 CDI diesel, the 320CDI BlueEfficency and the 231 hp 2.8 liter V6.

The GLK comes with chrome-plated elements, 20” alloy wheels, a navigation system that saves the route travelled so the driver can easily find the track back. The model also provides a revolutionary intelligently tri-zonal air-conditioning system. The well-known luxury interior will not be missed, having noble materials such as Sienna Pine wood, leather and chrome, all depending on the level of facilities. It also will not be deprived of panoramic roof, Sirius audio system and the display from central console.

Prices for the German market, without VAT, are:
• GLK 220 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY: € 33,900
• GLK 320 CDI 4MATIC: € 38,700
• GLK 280 4MATIC: € 36,600
• GLK 350 4MATIC: € 38,700

More photos after the jump.
Read More: "Mercedes Benz GLK, official pictures and details"

With global sales starting to decline, China is becoming a more and more important market for car makers and a proof of that is the attention China gets from them. The upcoming Auto China Show in Beijing will mark the debut of the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes Benz GLK crossovers.

This move is very important to Audi, because, with an increase of 24.8 percent last year, China has become Audi’s second largest market behind Germany. And Mercedes is also aware of the potential this market has and wants to push more models to China.

Read More: "Audi Q5 and Mercedes Benz GLK to debut at Auto China"