The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

The new Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class sport utility vehicle made its North American dealer showroom debut in January 2009.
Powered by a 268-horsepower, 3.5-litre V6 engine the 2010 GLK350 4MATIC™ will form the basis of the lineup, and will be riding on standard 19-inch 10-spoke wheels with 235/50 tires. The GLK features a 2,756 mm (108.5-inch) wheelbase and boasts unique design language which sets it apart from the rest of the highly successful Mercedes-Benz family of SUVs that includes the M-Class (which spurred the trend toward more car-like SUVs), the larger GL-Class, the R-Class and the iconic G-Class.
Showcasing bold exterior design, generous cargo capacity and 4MATIC™ all-wheel-drive, the GLK350 combines the perfect balance of styling, versatility and performance. The 2010 GLK-Class will be produced exclusively at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen, Germany.

Aggressive Styling and a Unique Personality
With its poised, confident presence, the GLK-Class leaves no doubt about its intent to conquer the compact premium SUV segment. In sharp contrast to the relatively soft forms of other similar-sized vehicles, the striking, angular profile of the GLK sets it apart from the competition. From its steeply-raked windshield to the integrated rear spoiler on its tightly styled roof section, the bullish shape of the new GLK suggests power and agility, and echoes the G-Class -- the iconic pioneer of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family.
Mercedes-Benz Design Chief Prof. Peter Pfeiffer adds: “With the G-Class we created a style icon that has been a benchmark in SUV design for the past 30 years. Combining this bold concept with the latest Mercedes-Benz design idiom makes the GLK a vehicle of genuine character.”
Beautiful proportions (length 4,528 mm (178.3 in.), width 1,839 mm (72.4 in.), height 1,699 mm (66.9 in.)) and styling combine classic angular shapes together with the distinctive design features found in contemporary Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. Taut lines and large, expansive surfaces mix with the traditional characteristics of a proper off-road vehicle, such as short overhangs, an upright front end, slim roof pillars, and a steeply raked windshield. Generous angles of approach and departure combined with impressive ground clearance allow the GLK to handle light off-roading with ease. On-road, the clear layout of the exterior and good all-around visibility, combined with a commanding seating position, enhances everyday practicality and relaxed driving, even in dense city traffic.


A Luxurious, Feature-Rich Interior
The GLK boasts a long list of standard equipment, including details not typically found in this vehicle class. Inside, a two-zone automatic climate control system, adjustable steering column, front seats with electrically adjustable height and backrest angle (including seat inclination adjustment) and manual lumbar support with two-way adjustment for the driver's seat are all standard on the GLK. Standard integrated Bluetooth interface for mobile phones, a microphone for the hands-free system and a central 12.7 cm (5-inch) colour display round out the list of interior appointments.
The 2010 GLK features all the impressive design and safety technology found in other Mercedes-Benz models, including standard front and side air bags as well as window air bags. Among its many comfort and convenience features is an available rear-seat entertainment system featuring two 20 cm (8 in.) screens, wireless headphones and an integrated dual-source DVD player.
The distinctive looks of the GLK exterior are seamlessly continued inside, with luxurious materials and precise detailing. The taught, sculpted lines of the dashboard dominate the interior, visually extending into the door panels to lend additional width to the generously dimensioned cockpit. Luxurious Burl Walnut wood with chrome trim highlights the dashboard and door panels at the front and rear, while the upper section of the dashboard encompasses the instrument cluster and the standard 12.7 cm (5-in) colour display). The driver's armrest features integrated cupholders and the standard controller for the audio functions and the optional COMAND multimedia system is located in ergonomically ideal positions between the front seats. Control of the individual menus is intuitive, following the familiar and well-proven layout used in the current C-Class and S-Class models. Additional shortcut buttons provide direct access to the most important main functions. Front and rear headroom figures are 1,010 mm (39.8 in.) and 1,008 mm (39.7 in.) respectively, while the cargo area boasts 660 litres (23.3 cubic feet) of storage. Cargo capacity balloons to 1,549 litres (54.7 cubic feet) when the 1/3:2/3-split rear seats are folded forwards.

4MATIC™ All-Wheel-Drive System
The all-wheel-drive powertrain at the heart of the GLK350 4MATIC™ is one of the most capable systems on the market. The dynamic ESP®, ASR and 4ETS driving systems work in concert to ensure top-notch longitudinal and lateral control and superb handling stability both on and off-road. Thanks to a compact, longitudinally designed engine, transmission and transfer case arrangement, the system offers various advantages over its counterparts equipped with a transversely installed drive unit.
The 45:55 torque distribution between the front and rear axle – along with the ESP®, ASR and 4ETS dynamic handling control systems – guarantees effortless and exceptional performance. Loss of traction on snow or ice is compensated for by the newly developed multi-disc clutch in the centre differential, which provides a basic partial locking torque between the front and rear axle. This arrangement produces a significant increase in traction while maintaining directional stability.

For more information, visit or call our Experienced Sales Associates at Rusnak Mercedes-Benz Arcadia, 55 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 (888) 829-3912.

The 2009 Rose Parade

In the spirit of the theme, Passport to the World’s Celebrations, the 120th Rose Parade was led by Grand Marshal Cloris Leachman on Thursday, January 1, 2009. The festivities kicked off at 8:00 a.m. with an explosive opening show featuring dancers and flags from around the world and culminated, for the first time, with a flyover by Navy F18 hornets. Outwalkers representing various countries and cultures entertained crowds as the floats transformed before people’s eyes. The international array of bands and equestrians amused the viewers with their display of talent and dedication. As a whole, the Rose Parade featured magnificent floral floats, high-stepping equestrians and spirited marching bands, displaying the tradition and pageantry for which it is renowned.
The parade started off at the intersection of Colorado Blvd. and Orange Grove Blvd., right next to Rusnak/Pasadena. What a glorious Southern California morning!

Happy New Year!

Rusnak Volvo Supports the 2009 PGA Awards

The 20th Annual Producers Guild Awards was held on Saturday, January 24th, 2009 at the Hollywood Palladium.
“Slumdog Millionaire” Christian Colson earned top honors at the Producers Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles.
Colson was honored with the Darryl F. Zanuck producer of the year award at the Hollywood ceremony, beating “Milk,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “The Dark Knight,” and “Frost/Nixon.”
The Mumbai-based drama earned the Best Picture award at the Golden Globes, and is up for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture of the Year.
In television, the HBO mini-series “John Adams,” the drama “Mad Men” and the comedy “30 Rock” were also recognized with producer awards.
Michael Douglas, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and David Chase were honored with Career Achievement awards for their work in production.



Traditionally, the Guilds are a better indicator of the Oscar nominees than the critics. It’s been quite common over the last ten years for at least three out of five Oscar Best Picture nominees to be selected by the PGA. They tend to favor big films, animated films, and groundbreaking films. Past nominees include “The Incredibles” and last year’s “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.”
Volvo of North America and Rusnak Volvo Pasadena were proud sponsors at this black tie event.

Rusnak Supports Chinatown's
“Year of the Ox” Celebration

The 110th Annual Golden Dragon Parade took place on Saturday, January 31 from 2pm- 4pm along Broadway and Hill Streets. Over 100 floats, bands, marching bands, dignitaries in cars, and costumed organizations with Chinatown roots paraded through the streets. Also featured was a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Broadway opening of “The Flower Drum Song,” the award-winning Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. A number of the original film and stage actors rode in the parade including Nancy Kwan, Alvin Ing, Tamlyn Tomita, and others.

Actress Nancy Kwan served as Grand Marshal for this year’s parade. Discovered at age 19 and cast in the starring role opposite William Holden in “The World of Suzie Wong” (1960), Nancy Kwan went on to become one of Hollywood’s most visible Asian actresses, appearing in over forty films and numerous television and stage productions. One of her most endearing roles was in the film “Flower Drum Song.” Today, Ms. Kwan continues to work as an actress and producer and has been honored by the Chinese American Museum, the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, and was appointed Hong Kong’s film ambassador in 2002. She recently served as the Jury Chairperson for the Women’s International Film and Television Showcase Film Festival in Los Angeles.

A free Chinese New Year Festival (with food booths and children’s activities) took place throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, January 31 and February 1 at the corner of Broadway and Cesar Chavez streets. There were two entertainment stages featuring cultural performances - one at the festival area (Broadway and Cesar Chavez) and one in Central Plaza, (943-951 N. Broadway St., just 3 blocks north of Cesar Chavez Street).
Located in the historic heart of Chinatown, the Central Plaza stage featured the Shaolin Warriors of Chinatown in a new choreographed show complete with live Chinese musicians. Through the use of Chinese acrobatic arts and dance movements, the production evoked themes of the Chinese zodiac and the concept of Yin and Yang culminating in the arrival of the mythical Ox (for which this year is named). Skillfully choreographed martial arts feats, contortion twists, and pole climbing acts crescendo into a finale featuring all the performers in a salute to Chinese New Year. For the past eight years, the Rusnak Auto Group has been a proud sponsor of the Chinatown Golden Dragon Parade. Both breathtaking and beautiful, the show was designed to please the whole family. For more information visit www.chinatownla.com.

From Sweden With LÖV Tour Featuring The Volvo XC60

Raffle Benefiting Five Acres

Distinguished Speaker Series

On Wednesday, March 18th 2009, Distinguished Speakers Series of Southern California will present Ken Burns. It has been said “more Americans get their history from Ken Burns than any other source,” while the New York Times has called Burns “his generation's greatest filmmaker.” This award-winning documentary filmmaker has been making films for over thirty years. He is the creator of such beloved PBS film projects such as The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The West, and Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson. His newest hit series, The War, aired in 2007 on PBS. One of the greatest speakers of our time, his electrifying and unusually moving words remind us of the timeless lessons of history and the enduring greatness and importance of the United States in the course of human events. Rusnak Auto Group has been a proud sponsor of the Distinguished Speakers Series for the past 8 years. To purchase your season tickets, please visit them online at www.speakersla.com or call Kathy Winterhalder at 310-546-6222.

From The Rusnak Mailbox

Numerous letters of gratitude were received this month. Here is one we would like to share with you.

We start off this month’s mail with a wonderful letter to Liz Rusnak Arizmendi:

Dear Liz,

A small favor to ask: Could you please have your staff send me 2 sets of Rusnak Pasadena license plate frames? I am running for Pasadena City Council, District 7, and I want to emphasize a Buy Pasadena program. As you know, our city depends upon sales tax revenue, and Rusnak Auto Group is a highly prized asset of our business community. My husband, Judge Lance Ito, and I have purchased 5 Audis and 1 Jaguar from Rusnak Pasadena, and we service our cars there as well. Our present license plate frames are a bit faded. I want the voters of District 7 to know that I practice what I preach.

Very truly yours,
Margaret York
Pasadena

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