Mercedes-Benz is keen to get a hold of the growing small SUV market with its new GLK, shown in concept form as the Vision GLK at Geneva earlier this year and revealed as a production model at Auto China 2008. Competing against the BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander and the new Audi Q5 (which also made its debut in Beijing) the production GLK is virtually identical to the concept car. Its design harps back to the now defunct G-Wagon, a model the Stuttgart-based company calls the ‘founding father of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family'.

The GLK's chiseled, wedgy design combines with straight lines, which are clearly vastly different to what is currently seen on other vehicles within the Mercedes range. But the GLK is considerably smaller than its proportions indicate. Standing 1689mm high, it is 126mm shorter than an M-Class and 151mm shorter than the GL-Class. When viewed in profile there is the impression of a clamshell hood - a nod to its predecessor - and the upright windshield, indent in the side body panels and flat wheelarches all clearly pay homage to the original G-Wagon.

The angular exterior theme is continued into the GLK's interior. The IP visually extends to the door panels to give the impression of a spacious cabin. It will be available with various wood or aluminum highlights which continue onto the door panels around the door handle and the typical Mercedes seat adjustment controls. The center console includes an armrest and storage compartment as well as the (optional) 'Comand' infotainment controller with a display screen recessed in the center of the IP.

The introduction of the new GLK at Beijing indicates the German automaker is taking the burgeoning SUV market in China seriously. It will be interesting to see if the Chinese are more receptive to the taut traditional SUV design or to the softer form of the latest offering from Audi, the current luxury market leader.

Dimensions: Length 4528mm; Width 1840mm; Wheelbase 2755mm

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Mercedes-Benz GLK concept - Detroit 2008

In one of the most underappreciated concept car debuts at the Auto China 2008, Guangbin - a joint venture between GunagZhou Auto and Honda expected to launch in 2010 - revealed the Li Nian SUV concept.

Painted lilac purple to showcase its design, this compact SUV/CUV was located at the obscure edge of the Honda booth in Hall E2, with some journalists actually realizing its presence only after their visit to the nearby restroom. Although it can't possibly be, it's almost looked as if neither GuangZhou Motor (located at Hall E1) nor Honda (Hall E2) was too thrilled with the car's presence, with Honda's CRZ taking up the concept car center stage and the Fit and FCX being pushed into the spotlight. There was no fanfare, no center stage, and not even an unveiling for the car. But by early afternoon word of mouth had spread, attracting a number of designers who came over to appreciate its styling.

Overall, the Li Nian displays an exceptional stance, with broad shoulders, wheelarches and wheels located far to the corners, giving a solid stance to an already well defined proportion and profile expected of a pure concept study. Its gaping front grille and slanted headlamps running well above the front wheelaches adds more aggressiveness and excitement to the car. Though we weren't allowed to take photos of the interior, it appeared to lack refinement and the brand's identity was also absent in the exterior detailing. It seemed to possess more of Ford's Kinetic design identity than that of a Honda.

This concept is undoubtedly a great idea and a fine result, but why GuangZhou and Honda were so reluctant to promote both the forthcoming brand launch and the concept still remains a mystery.

Chery is China's top selling domestic brand, with sales of over 300,000 last year. The company is best known for its small cars, and is already exporting cars to markets such as Russia and Southeast Asia, particularly the successful QQ model that bears a striking resemblance to GM's Chevrolet/Daewoo Matiz model. But Chery is changing fast and has become one of the first Chinese makers to realize that it needs to embrace design in a more professional way in order to develop their image, both in China and for export markets. The new Faira range is a key component of that strategy, as is the larger Pininfarina-designed A3 model, also launched in Beijing this week.

The Faira is a whole new family of seven B-segment models, styled by Torino Design in Italy, and represents a clever use of rationalized parts to produce different derivatives with many shared components. The basic Faria NN model offers a three-door and five-door bodystyle not unlike that of the original Toyota Yaris, with the addition of an upswept shoulder line in the rear fender and distinctive door handle in the trailing edge of the rear door. The Faira HH is a four-door sedan version with extended rear overhang, while the Faira JJ is a highrider wagon, similar to Honda's old Civic Shuttle idea. Then there's a neat, sporty three-door Coupé version with a lower roof and all-new skin panels called Faira YY, complete with a cabrio version, also displayed here at Beijing.

All these variants share the same 2330mm wheelbase but a final version, the Faira BB, chops this down by 280mm to produce a short but tall city model, with just two seats and a large trunk. All models share the same basic interior and IP with a central digital instrument display, while sporty versions gain an add-on upper IP with analogue instruments.