X hits the spot for pick-up luxury

Ford will introduce a pothole detecting system on its new Focus which will then be available on other models above it in the catalogue. The system works with Ford’s continuously controlled damping system that’s an option on the Focus (which we’re driving this week). Sensors see a pothole before the car’s wheel hits it and immediately selects the hardest damper setting which stops the wheel in question from dropping into the pothole. It’s most effective with the rear wheels because there’s more time for the system to react. It will be standard on continuously controlled damping-equipped cars. IT’S a toss-up whether a van is more useful than a pick-up truck or the other way around.

If you’ve owned either you’ll know that when they’re no longer in your life you really miss them. I’ve had both and of the two it was the pick-up I loved the most.

Mind you, it did have a 7.5-litre V8 engine and was made by Chevrolet in 1972. It was a very fast way of getting stuff to the dump, although a bit pricey on petrol.

If you like fancy pick-ups and, according to sales graphs, plenty do, then feast your eyes on this newcomer. It’s the Mercedes-benz X-class – the German giant’s first entry into the lucrative lifestyle pick-up market. It isn’t entirely Merc’s own work because it’s based on the Nissan Navara (as is next year’s Renault Alaskan).

The 2.3-litre singleturbo diesel engine in the X220d is also built by Renault and produces 161bhp. The X250d has a twinturbo version with 187bhp. We’re driving the latter in what Merc calls Power trim.

The entry level is the Pure with Mercedes-benz X250d four-door pick-up

2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel, 187bhp 11.8sec 35.8mpg the Progressive trim in between. It might have some Nissan metalwork underneath but almost all the body panels are bespoke, as is most of the interior.

It looks great from the outside and as you climb aboard you could be in any Mercedes car.

The central infotainment screen is standard in all Xs and ours has the optional COMAND system plus a long list of other features