Mercedes Benz GLK Gets Environmental Certificate

Now here's something every manufacturer chasing after tree-huggers' approval dreams of. A piece of paper that certifies, once and for all, that your car loves green. And this is what Mercedes Benz has got for its GLK range.

The Environmental Certificate is actually the recognition that the GLK meets the requirements and provisions of ISO standard 14062. It is based on a complete life cycle assessment of the GLK which comprises some 40,000 different processes.

"The environmental quality of a vehicle is determined by more than its fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. It's necessary to look at the entire life cycle from development through production and use to disposal," Herbert Kohler, Daimler chief environmental officer said in a release.

As a basis for calculating a range of parameters (including the energy requirement and emissions over a distance of 200,000 kilometers), Mercedes Benz and the certification body used a Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. Of course, a conclusion was reached upon completing the testing and here is the result.

The GLK 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY uses up to 6.7 liters of diesel every one hundred kilometers. With CO2 emission rating standing at 176g/km, the small SUV managed to perform better than the EU 5 emission limits require.

Apart from these figures, the GLK boasts several ecological materials. Some 27 components, weighing 20.7 kg, are made with renewable raw materials. In addition, olive coke is used in the charcoal filters to prevent hydrocarbon emissions resulting from fuel evaporation.

"This is a striking example of Mercedes-Benz's comprehensive commitment to the environment. The Environmental Certificate for the GLK confirms the success of our strategy in this important are," Kohler added.