Mercedes-Benz X-Class pick-up unveiled
Mercedes-Benz has a long history of building commercial vehicles, so a pick-up is a logical (and perhaps overdue) addition to the company's range. The new X-Class – which shares its underpinnings with the Nissan NP300 Navara and Renault Alaskan – should appeal to a broad customer base courtesy of three distinctive trim grades.
Firstly, 'Pure' is intended to be a workhorse. Users of this X-Class are likely to appreciate a load bed that measures 1,587 mm (62.5”) long by 1,560 mm (61.4”) wide, a 1,042 kg (2,297 lbs) maximum payload and a towing capability of up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs).
Next is 'Progressive'. Body-colour bumpers instead of black plastic items denote some added luxuries for this mid-market version.
Finally, 'Power' is unashamedly aimed at lifestyle customers who merely intend to haul mountain bikes or other leisure paraphernalia. Accordingly, the exterior gains extra chrome, while the interior boasts electrically-adjustable front seats plus Artico faux leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery. For a further outlay, black or brown genuine leather can be specified instead.
The initial powertrain choice is set to comprise X 220 d and X 250 d variants that share a 2.3 litre, four-cylinder, diesel engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. Outputs are 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 187 bhp (140 kW / 190 PS) respectively.
Both can be equipped with either rear-wheel drive or selectable 4Matic all-wheel drive. For rough terrain driving, the latter also benefits from low-range gearing and Downhill Speed Regulation as standard, but a rear-axle differential lock remains on the options list.
Later on, the X 350 d will cater to anybody requiring better performance. Its diesel V6 delivers 254 bhp (190 kW / 258 PS) with 550 Nm (405 lb/ft) of peak torque via a 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission and a permanent 4Matic system.
A petrol model is planned, too. However, the 162 bhp (122 kW / 165 PS) X 200 is only going to be made in left-hand drive form with rear-wheel drive for specific countries such as Dubai and Morocco.
Like the more sophisticated members of Nissan's NP300 Navara line-up, every X-Class features coil spring suspension on both axles (there are no old-fashioned rear leaf springs here).
European sales begin during November 2017, while launches in Australia and South Africa are scheduled for early 2018. X-Class production for those territories is to be sourced from the Nissan factory in Barcelona, Spain.
The Renault plant in Cordoba, Argentina is due to become the second X-Class manufacturing location in 2019. It will supply Brazil and Argentina.
Significantly, Mercedes-Benz is not intending to offer the X-Class across North America. That decision was undoubtedly determined by the 'chicken tax', a punitive and protectionist import tariff imposed by the United States on light trucks.
In Germany, the X-Class costs from €37,294 (including 19% VAT). UK prices have yet to be announced.
Related posts:
The NP300 Navara becomes Euro 6 compliant
Renault Alaskan pick-up launched
Firstly, 'Pure' is intended to be a workhorse. Users of this X-Class are likely to appreciate a load bed that measures 1,587 mm (62.5”) long by 1,560 mm (61.4”) wide, a 1,042 kg (2,297 lbs) maximum payload and a towing capability of up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs).
Next is 'Progressive'. Body-colour bumpers instead of black plastic items denote some added luxuries for this mid-market version.
Finally, 'Power' is unashamedly aimed at lifestyle customers who merely intend to haul mountain bikes or other leisure paraphernalia. Accordingly, the exterior gains extra chrome, while the interior boasts electrically-adjustable front seats plus Artico faux leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery. For a further outlay, black or brown genuine leather can be specified instead.
The initial powertrain choice is set to comprise X 220 d and X 250 d variants that share a 2.3 litre, four-cylinder, diesel engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. Outputs are 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 187 bhp (140 kW / 190 PS) respectively.
Both can be equipped with either rear-wheel drive or selectable 4Matic all-wheel drive. For rough terrain driving, the latter also benefits from low-range gearing and Downhill Speed Regulation as standard, but a rear-axle differential lock remains on the options list.
Later on, the X 350 d will cater to anybody requiring better performance. Its diesel V6 delivers 254 bhp (190 kW / 258 PS) with 550 Nm (405 lb/ft) of peak torque via a 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission and a permanent 4Matic system.
A petrol model is planned, too. However, the 162 bhp (122 kW / 165 PS) X 200 is only going to be made in left-hand drive form with rear-wheel drive for specific countries such as Dubai and Morocco.
Like the more sophisticated members of Nissan's NP300 Navara line-up, every X-Class features coil spring suspension on both axles (there are no old-fashioned rear leaf springs here).
European sales begin during November 2017, while launches in Australia and South Africa are scheduled for early 2018. X-Class production for those territories is to be sourced from the Nissan factory in Barcelona, Spain.
The Renault plant in Cordoba, Argentina is due to become the second X-Class manufacturing location in 2019. It will supply Brazil and Argentina.
Significantly, Mercedes-Benz is not intending to offer the X-Class across North America. That decision was undoubtedly determined by the 'chicken tax', a punitive and protectionist import tariff imposed by the United States on light trucks.
In Germany, the X-Class costs from €37,294 (including 19% VAT). UK prices have yet to be announced.
Related posts:
The NP300 Navara becomes Euro 6 compliant
Renault Alaskan pick-up launched
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