When we first mentioned the Mercedes-Benz plan to build an X-Class small sport/utility vehicle alongside the U.S.-bound Smart ForMore (Sept. 6, 2004), little did we realize the X-Class would be the car that lived to see another day.

But given Mercedes’ recent decision to pull the plug on ForMore for the United States (April 11)—though we’re told the next-gen ForTwo is still a possibility for the U.S. market—we can now concentrate our attention (and our spy photographer’s lens) on capturing ForMore’s sibling, the 2008 X-Class.

Positioned below the M-Class, the five-passenger compact sportwagon will take aim at the BMW X3 and the upcoming redesigned Land Rover Freelander. Developed on the next-generation C-Class chassis, the X-Class is expected to go on sale in Europe in 2007 with rear- and all-wheel-drive versions, according to our sister paper Automotive News.

Though the X-Class will have just two rows of seats, it is rumored the rear bench will slide back and forth, will fold down, and may even be removable for added cargo flexibility.

U.S. sales are likely according to sources in Europe, but several U.S. dealers told Automotive News they have not heard of plans to sell the vehicle in the United States.

Engine offerings will include a 2.2-liter four-cylinder, a variety of V6s ranging from 230 hp to 270 hp, and a 4.7-liter 326-hp V8 for the U.S. market.

Look for an official announcement of the X-Class later this year.

...a 4.7-liter 326-hp V8 for the U.S. market.

A new SUV, smaller than the new M-Class and based on C-Class componentry, will be built in Bremen, Germany, DaimlerChrysler officials announced on Thursday as they reported earnings for the first quarter. The new SUV had also been rumored for production at the DC plant in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, which recently lost out on producing the now-cancelled smart formore SUV. The Brazilian plant will build C-Class vehicles from kits; the Bremen plant also builds the SL convertible.

TheCarConnection has secured the first pictures of Mercedes' upcoming compact SUV - possibly named GLK - due in the 2008 model year.



The GLK is being pitched as a competitor to the successful BMW X3 and Audi's coming Q5. It uses components from the coming 2008 C-Class range, which will be launched in March 2007.



In terms of style, it will resemble the larger GL-Class, which is built in Alabama. However, this new vehicle will be built in Bremen, Germany, near the C-Class.



Power is expected to come from four- and six-cylinder engines, both gas and diesel. Later, a GLK55 version should emerge. Mercedes will offer the car in both rear- and all-wheel drive. All versions are expected to use a seven-speed TouchShift automatic transmission.



The chassis of the GLK is almost the same as the 4Matic version of the new C-Class station wagon, except for bigger wheels and longer springs. With an overall length of approximately 177 inches, the GLK will be about a foot shorter than the Mercedes ML.



Mercedes may build up to 40,000 GLKs each year, with a price around the $40,000 mark in the U.S.