Mercedes-Benz GLK Urban Whip Concept to debut at SEMA
By Andrew C., 30 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
Mercedes-Benz GLK Urban Whip
The most outstanding feature of the Urban Whip is that it doesn't have a roof. While the original brief required the design to preserve the structural reliability of the GLK, the powerful appearance of the custom-built wide-body kit, which was designed in collaboration with RoBrady Design, made the roadster enticement quite difficult to refuse. Boulevard forwarded models of its roadster concepts to Mercedes-Benz USA and approval was quickly received. Collaborating with NBS Performance, Boulevard detached the roof, reduced windshield height and put in the essential structural bracing to produce a roadster with superficial changes to the door tops and pillars. It was the finishing touch to the whole design, Bradley comments. The Urban Whip has that extra wow factor to make it a true head-turner. With concentration on urban life, the design of the wide-body kit is smooth and other-worldly. Boulevard, with Superior Auto Body, worked on integrating bumpers, side skirts and fender flares to produce a factory finish, while the factory grille was modified and finished off with chrome mesh and hand-crafted highlights by the art experts at STRUT. The front headlamps preserve their factory appearance, with the factory bulbs replaced by special LED units for heightened performance, even as smoked treatment brings unique style to the rear lights. Total ride height has been reduced by as much as 64mm utilizing a single set of custom lowering springs.
Boulevard used huge chrome wheels for urban cruising. The Urban Whip is tightly hugs the road with huge 26-inch Asanti AF 150 chrome wheels with custom black highlights and clothed in 295/25 ZR26 Pirelli Scorpion tires for the ideal ride. The stopping power comes from an enormous front and rear Brembo performance brake kit, presenting 381mm 2 piece floating rotors and 8-pot calipers on the front and 344mm 2-piece floating rotors with 4-piston calipers on the rear. With top model Mercedes performance variants providing the stimulation for the interior, Boulevard worked with Mark Kraus and John Lancaster to produce an appearance that is extremely individual, yet still noticeably Mercedes.
Utilizing a striking black and white color scheme, the design incorporates both diamond-stitched and perforated leathers for a truly unique, upscale appearance and experience. Ebony black wood grain trim works simultaneously with a custom steering wheel and shift knob to produce a cabin that is as trendy as it is candid, while rear passengers are secluded in twin hand-crafted bucket seats. The urban cruiser is equipped with a serious urban audio system. Having no roof, the GLK Urban Whip share its powerful music with the rest of the world. Under the roadster cover hides a powerful piece of kit from JL Audio. The custom stereo system generates over 5,700 Watts of earsplitting power in a visually striking set up. Eight HD amps power the ZR component speakers and subwoofers, plus six new JL Audio 13TW5 flat subwoofers, two of which are flaunted in the rear of the Urban Whip in a custom-made clear acrylic tube that adds accent to their dense dimensions and slim profile.
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