Mercedes-benz X-class: a first taste
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MERCEDES-BENZ is really drawing this one out. After being invited to the concept version’s unveiling in Stockholm last October, phase two of Benz’s strategy to reveal its X-class double-cab range occurred recently in Stuttgart.
We weren’t allowed to drive the X-class, unfortunately, but we did experience a passenger ride in a production-ready X250d with its 2,3-litre turbodiesel engine. It was still clad in detail-obscuring camouflage but, as you can see from these just-released images, Mercedes-benz has finalised the design.
Given the great interest in the vehicle and the fact that it is based on the Nissan Navara platform, there were several questions we were keen to find answers to. How close to that attention-grabbing design would this vehicle be? How would its engine line-up look? Would it share some of the Navara’s units? And what of the ride quality; would it be similar to the Nissan’s, which we recently tested and found a touch too firm?
OUTSIDE
As you can see, the front-end is similar to those concept designs shown in Stockholm, with a large and bold grille dominated by twin horizontal bars, each split with rectangular slots. The grille colouring depends on the spec level, with black, aluminium or chrome on offer. The headlamps differ slightly from the concept version’s and are a more elegant solution; taken right up to the bonnet, they sport LED daytime-running lighting in the form of eyebrows.
Those of you who were taken by the bold rear-light treatment that spanned the width of the tailgate on the concepts might be disappointed by the production version. The design team has opted for more conservative lighting on the corners, with dual LED strips and white reversing inserts. This was always on the cards, though, as the concept’s rear lights were hardly practical and would not have passed regulations. Talking of practicality, a step has been incorporated into the rear bumper, although the tailgate is rather heavy with no assisting springs. Sensibly, it can be locked, a key attribute in our market.
While the concept reveal showed no roof rails, these are now fitted and optional accessories available to customers include nudge bars, rollover bars, side steps and load-bay liners. Overall dimensions are 5 340 mm in length, 1 920 mm wide and 1 819 mm high. The wheelbase is 3 150 mm and the load bay size is 1 587 by 1 560 mm.
INTERIOR
Like the exterior, the X-class’ interior treatment is close to the concept’s. That means it lifts bakkie interiors up a notch. Top-end models get full leather upholstery and the front seats are spacious and comfortable. Legroom in the back is good, although the rear-seat backrest is rather upright and that compromises passenger headroom. I would describe it as sufficient rather than spacious.
The facia features a centrally mounted display screen with twin dials in the binnacle behind the steering wheel containing the instrumentation. Instead of the usual steering-wheel-mounted gearlever, Mercedes-benz has reverted to the traditional
placement between the seats ahead of a manual handbrake lever. Wheels are alloys with six split-spokes finished in graphite with six wheel studs.
There will be three specification levels: Pure, Progressive and Power. Pure will have a black frontal treatment, cloth seats and 17-inch wheels; Progressive trim has a satin-aluminium grille, leather upholstery and 18-inch rims; and Power spec has more chrome elements, a choice of aluminium or wood finishes for the concave facia strip and 19inch wheels. A 360-degree camera is part of the package, too.
POWERTRAINS
Initially, there will be two diesel options: an X220d and X250d. And yes, both are powered by derivatives of the Nissan Navara’s four-cylinder, 2,3-litre turbodiesel. The X220d has 120 kw and 403 N.m, while the X250d develops 140 kw and 450 N.m. Both are mated to seven-speed automatic transmissions.
These will be supplemented by a petrol derivative (although not in SA) and a range-topping turbodiesel V6 coupled to a permanent four-wheel-drive system with a series of on- and off-road programmes selectable via a rotary knob on the centre console. This V6 engine is being developed by Mercedes-benz and will have “more than 500 N.m of torque”. Unlike the Navara, the X-class has disc braking on all four wheels.
FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT
Sitting in the X250d, the engine has that typical diesel clatter at idle, but it disappears when on the move and progress is smooth and quiet. The sevenspeed transmission mates well with the engine to transmit the 450 N.m to the wheels. Like the Navara, the X-class’ suspension uses coil springs all round with a multilink solid rear axle. Mercedes-benz has retuned all settings to provide greater stability in cornering without making the ride too hard. Based on my experience from the passenger seat, I’d say the engineers have been successful .
You can select drive to the rears only, or to all four wheels. There is also a low-range transfer case for serious off-road stuff and a rear diff-lock is also fitted. We got a feeling for the X-class’ handling on a test track where we were driven at speeds of more than 100 km/h with fast cornering and slalom sections. With our test vehicle specced with the lower ride-height setting and 19-inch wheels, body roll was minimal for a bakkie.
The 2H-4H-4L selector knob is ahead of the gearlever and I was impressed by the speed with which it transitions from high to low range. As alluded to, in order to cater for both the on-road customers as well as the more serious off-road types, you can order your X-class in one of two different ride heights, 201 or 221 mm. SA will get the latter as standard.
On the safety side, seven airbags are fitted, as well as Isofix seat anchor points, five threepoint belts and stability control. Lane-change assist, active brake assist and tyre-pressure sensors will be fitted to the higherspec bakkies.
In terms of the local leisurebakkie market, our benchmark is the VW Amarok. Having spent a year with a 2,0 BITDI and having driven the impressive 3,0 V6 TDI on a 1 200 km road trip, I have to say that MercedesBenz will find it very difficult to trump the Volkswagen. That said, the X-class’ ride quality promises to be very similar to the Amarok’s, as will performance, but a definitive answer will require a CAR magazine comparative road test.
Pricing has been a big talking point around the X-class, with speculation that we could see it starting at R800 000 and heading north. While local pricing is yet to be announced, we know the X-class will start at €37 294 in Europe. To put that into context, the V6-only Amarok range in Europe sells for between €41 000 and €55 500, depending on the derivative.