Concept Cars Home
 
Image credits: © Mercedes-Benz.

2008 Mercedes-Benz GLK Urban Whip Boulevard Custom news, pictures, and information

The GLK Urban Whip set heads turning

When the word went out that Mercedes was running a tuner competition centered on the new GLK luxury SÚV, Boulevard identified immediately wîth the brief for the Úrban Whip and lost no time in getting to work.

'I've been a Mercedes fan since childhood,' says Boulevard President Chris Bradley, 'and when I reviewed the design brief for the Úrban Whip I said to myself, ‘we can do this better than anyone''.

While it may be one of the smaller competitors in the field, Boulevard is big on ideas. Taking its inspiration from a number of Mercedes models, the company set about creating a visual interpretation of the GLK that would put it at the very top of the food chain in the urban jungle.

The most striking feature of the Úrban Whip is what is doesn't have – a roof. Although the original brief required the design to retain the structural integrity of the GLK, the aggressive look of the custom-made wide-body kit - which was developed in cooperation wîth RoBrady Design – made the roadster temptation difficult to resist. Boulevard submitted renderings of its roadster ideas to Mercedes-Benz ÚSA and approval was received in double quick time.

Working wîth NBS Performance, Boulevard removed the roof, shortened the windshield and added the necessary structural bracing to create a roadster wîth cosmetic modifications to the door tops and pillars.

'It was the finishing touch to the whole design,' comments Bradley. 'The Úrban Whip has that extra wow factor to make it a true head-turner.'

Boulevard worked wîth Superior Auto Body on integrating bumpers, side skirts and fender flares to create a factory finish, while the factory grille was opened up wide and finished off wîth chrome mesh and accents hand-crafted by the artisans at STRÚT.

The front headlamps retain their factory look, wîth the standard bulbs replaced by custom LED units for added performance, while smoked treatment brings distinctive style to the rear light cluster.

The overall ride height has been lowered by 2.5 inches using a one-off set of custom lowering springs. And, when it comes to wheels and tires, Boulevard is in no doubt that, for urban cruising, there is no substitute for chrome – and that size matters. The Úrban Whip is fixed firmly to the asphalt wîth colossal 26-inch Asanti AF 150 chrome wheels wîth custom black accents and wrapped in 295/25 ZR26 Pirelli Scorpion rubber for a perfect ride. The stopping power is provided courtesy of a massive front and rear Brembo performance brake kit, featuring 15-inch 2-piece floating rotors and 8-pot calipers on the front and 13.6-inch 2-piece floating rotors wîth 4-piston calipers on the rear.

With flagship Mercedes performance models providing the inspiration for the interior, Boulevard worked alongside Mark Kraus and John Lancaster to create a look that is highly individual, yet still distinctly Mercedes. Úsing a striking black and white color theme, the design integrates both diamond-stitched and perforated leathers for a distinctive, upscale look and feel. Piano black wood grain trim works together wîth a custom §teering wheel and shift knob to create a cockpit that is as stylish as it is outspoken, while rear passengers are cosseted in twin hand-crafted bucket seats.

No cruiser can be complete without a powerful stereo. And the absence of a roof will help the GLK Úrban Whip share its sound wîth the rest of the world. Beneath the speedster cover lurks a mighty piece of kit from JL Audio. The custom stereo system pumps out over 5,700 Watts of ear-popping power in a visually stunning installation. Eight HD amps power the ZR component speakers and subwoofers, including six new JL Audio 13TW5 flat subwoofers, two of which are displayed in the rear of the Úrban Whip in a custom-made clear acrylic tube that adds emphasis to their compact dimensions and slim profile.

'The GLK was the perfect candidate for the Úrban Whip idea,' concludes Bradley. 'It has this incredibly powerful persona and shoulders broad enough to carry this kind of work. Working wîth it brought out the best in all of us.'

Source - Mercedes-Benz

MERCEDES-BENZ REVEALS FOUR TUNED GLKS

In late April, Mercedes-Benz announced a tuning competition based on the new GLK-Class, which is set to launch in January 2009. Four companies were selected for the challenge. The companies inputted their own ideas and design into the GLK and the results will be revealed at this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

Design concepts include:
The Úrban Whip – Florida-based Boulevard Customs is sure to turn heads wîth this topless version of the GLK, wîth a wide body styling kit, massive 26-inch wheels and tires, redesigned interior and ground-pounding stereo system.

BRABÚS Widestar – Developed by Mercedes-Benz tuning experts Brabus of Bottrop, Germany, this striking wide-track 'designer suit' for the GLK includes a reworked V6 diesel engine based on the 320 BlueTEC engine, flowing front and rear wheel arch flares and redesigned front and rear bumpers complemented wîth exclusive BRABÚS wheels and an interior to match.

The Rock Crawler – Exotic and muscle car restoration specialist Legendary Motor Cars design includes an innovative winching system to propel skate and wakeboarders up to speed and actually 'grind' down the vehicle's specially integrated side rails.

RENNTech Rally Racer – Inspired by the unlimited-class rally cars at the storied Pikes Peak Hillclimb, the GLK concept represents the Mercedes-Benz performance specialist's first hybrid powertrain to enhance acceleration off the line and out of the corners.

Vital Stats

The four GLK-Class vehicles will be displayed at this year's SEMA show, taking place November 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. During the exhibition, attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design via online and mobile voting. Following the SEMA show, the four vehicles will be displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show (November 21-30) providing showgoers wîth another opportunity to cast their vote. The votes from the show attendees and www.mbusa.com will be tallied and the winner will be announced on December 2, 2008.

Source - Mercedes-Benz
BENTLEY IS COMING TO BELARUS
 •Bentley to open first-ever dealership in Belarusian capital •New sales and aftersales point will open in Summer 2013 (Crewe / Minsk. 8 May 2013). Bentley will expand its presence in the fast-growing Eastern Europe region later this year, with the opening of its first-ever dealership in Belarus. Located in the heart of the capital, Bentley Minsk will open in Summer 2013, and will offer sales and aftersales services to customers of the luxury British brand. Bentley Minsk will pr...[Read more...]
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS ALPINE TRIAL CENTENARY COLLECTION SET FOR DEBUT AT AUTO CHINA 2013
• Alpine Trial Centenary Collection celebrates landmark moment in Rolls-Royce and automotive history – the establishment of the Silver Ghost as the 'Best Car in the World'
• First ever Bespoke homage to a heritage Rolls-Royce car
• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces entry of Works Team into the centenary 20-Ghost Club reenactment of 1913 Alpine Trial
A century ago this June, four Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts embarked on the Austrian Alpine Trials, the most arduous test of ...[Read more...]
RM AUCTIONS OFFERS UNIQUE RIVA TRITONE ‘SPECIALE'
RM AUCTIONS OFFERS UNIQUE RIVA TRITONE 'SPECIALE' AT ITS CONCORSO D'ELEGANZA VILLA D'ESTE WEEKEND SALE • RM Auctions secures fabulous 1960 Riva Tritone 'Speciale' Cadillac for its highly anticipated sale in Cernobbio on Lake Como, Italy, on the 25th of May • Custom-built powerboat represents the biggest, best, and most powerful Riva of the Golden Era • Auction to also lift the hammer on the only surviving 1956 Riva Ariston Cadillac • Exclusive evening sale held in conjunction with t...[Read more...]
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Honors The Genius Of Porsche's 911 at 50
Porsche's 911 has defied common wisdom, outlived its competitors and, from roots in the early Sixties, leads Porsche Cars into a new century as the only car built today that carries its engine behind the rear axle. At 4:00 PM on Friday, March 8th, 2013 in the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance presents 'THE PORSCHE 911 SEMINAR: PORSCHE'S FLAGSHIP at 50'. The Porsche 911 Seminar will be empaneled by a pride of Porsche 911 legends. Brumos Porsche's Hurl...[Read more...]
TOYOTA MOTOR SALES REPORTS INCREASE IN SEPTEMBER SALES
 • Camry Leads the Way with 38 Percent Increase
TORRANCE, Calif., (Oct. 2, 2012) – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported September 2012 sales results of 171,910 units, an increase of 41.5 percent compared to the same period last year on both a daily selling rate (DSR) and a raw volume basis, unadjusted for 25 selling days in both September 2012 and in September 2011. The Toyota Division posted September total sales of 151,524 units, an increase of 42.3 perce...[Read more...]

Arrow Right 2008 Mercedes-Benz models
Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz CL Class
Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
Mercedes-Benz CLC
Mercedes-Benz CLK Class
Mercedes-Benz CLS Class
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz G Class
Mercedes-Benz GL Class
Mercedes-Benz M Class
Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman
Mercedes-Benz S Class
Mercedes-Benz SL Class
Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Edition IWC
Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLK Class
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Tender Package
2008 Mercedes-Benz Concepts
Mercedes-Benz Four Corners GLK Rock Crawler
Mercedes-Benz GLK Freeside Study
Mercedes-Benz GLK Rally Racer
Mercedes-Benz GLK Widestar
Mercedes-Benz P8

Similar Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz GLK Rally Racer2008 Mercedes-Benz GLK Rally Racer
Mercedes-Benz GLK Widestar2008 Mercedes-Benz GLK Widestar
Mercedes-Benz Four Corners GLK Rock Crawler2008 Mercedes-Benz Four Corners GLK Rock Crawler

Similar Automakers
AudiBMW
InfinitiJaguar
Land RoverLexus
 
Mercedes-Benz: 2001-2010
Similar Automakers
Other models by Mercedes-Benz
Manufacturer Website

Related Articles and Event Coverage
2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association

Mercedes-Benz
Monthly Sales FiguresVolume
April 201325,490 
March 201326,175 
February 201323,268 
January 201323,578 
December 201230,376 
November 201231,945 
October 201225,644 
September 201223,156 
August 201222,686 
July 201219,311 
June 201222,231 
May 201224,556 
(More Details)

 
170
180 Series
190
200 W21
220
250
28/95HP
280
290
300
300D
320
37/90Hp
370 S
380
400
450
500
540K
560
600
630K
710 SS
770
B-Class
C-Class
CL-Class
CLK GTR
CLS
E-Class
G-Class
GL-Class
GLK Class
M-Class
McLaren SLR
Model S
R-Class
R107
S-Class
Simplex
SL-Class
SLK
SLS AMG
SSK
Vision S500
W123
W126
W154
W196 R Streamliner

© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.