Mercedes-Benz bringing four custom GLKs to SEMA

The GLK crossover SUV hasnt yet reached the retail market, but already specialty aftermarket equipment companies are set to brandish their treatments of the new Mercedes-Benz at the upcoming SEMA show in Las Vegas. The RENNtech Rally Racer version has already been previewed, but today Mercedes revealed three others that will also be on display at the industry-only tuner extravaganza.

The first, an example modified by perennial Mercedes specialist BRABUS, will be called the Widestar, and features what the German customizers call a wide-track designer suit for the GLK. Front and rear wheel arches make way for the wider look, while redone front and rear bumpers give the car the quintessentially BRABUS look. The interior will also get a fully custom treatment, but so far no details have been released.

Florida-based tuners Boulevard Customs will be showing the second of the new design concepts, and it too will have a wide-body kit. In addition, it will feature 26 wheels and a massive stereo system. The interior is also expected to receive a unique look, but like the BRABUS car, well have to wait until SEMA to get a peek inside.

Finally, Legendary Motor Cars will try their hand at turning the GLK - a refined, urbane crossover - into a fearsome rock crawler called The Four Corners Rock Crawler. The primary features of this design concept include a winch system to help propel skate and wakeboarders up to speed so they can grind along the vehicles integrated side rails.

In an interesting twist, all four concepts will be pitted against each other in a customer-driven competition. Starting next month, each vehicle will be featured in a video and then combined with online response and feedback at the SEMA show, a winner will be chosen December 2, though exactly what the prize will be for the winning design hasnt yet been announced.

The SUV theyre all building on, the GLK350, features a 3.5L, 268hp (200kW) V6 engine and is fitted with 4MATIC AWD as standard equipment. The first of the GLK350s will hit showroom floors in the U.S. in January, 2009 as a 2010 model. For more about the GLK, read our previous coverage here.

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