Tiguan, GLK and Q5: BMW X3 rivals on the way

[Andrew 30]

When it comes to compact German SUVs, the BMW X3 steals all the light; simply because there is no other substitute or competitor for the car. Well that’s all about the change and BMW has three new things to worry about. The Volkswagen Tiguan, the Mercedes-Benz GLK and the Audi Q5 are on their way and all will definitely give the X3 a run for the buck. So what’s the update on these 3 compact SUVs?

Volkswagen Tiguan: While it may not be from the upper-class auto makers, the Volkswagen Tiguan will offer a 2.0 liter “Clean TDI” BLUETEC diesel engine in the US when it debuts in 2008, forcing BMW to offer a greener X3. While we haven’t seen the total production version of the Tiguan, the concept is expected to closely resemble what the production version will look like.

Mercedes-Benz GLK: Expected to debut in August of 2008, the Mercedes-Benz GLK will be based on the platform of the 2008 C-Class (much like the X3 is based on the 3-Series) and will be powered by a 2.0 liter standard all-wheel drive and will eventually have a 2.2-liter turbodiesel that produces 204 horsepower the following year. A V6 engine is also in the works. The car is expected to be priced around 36,000 euros, with an expected output of 83,000 units per year.

Update: Mercedes to unveil compact SUV in Geneva next year.

Audi Q5: While the Audi Q5 is yet to be officially confirmed by the folks at Audi, it is apparent that the company is working on a compact SUV after the debut of the Audi Cross Coupe concept at the Shanghai Auto Show. The Audi Cross Coupe quattro is powered by a four-cylinder inline TDI engine with common-rail fuel injection that produces of 204 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Using the Bluetec system, the 2.0 TDI needs just 5.9 litres of diesel per 100 km.