World’s poshest pick-up
Mercedes takes trucks to the next level with new X-class
MERCEDES has a history of producing vans for the commercial vehicle market – but now the firm is branching out further with its new pick-up, called the X-class. It’s due on sale by the end of this year.
The X-class is the result of a parts-sharing deal between Mercedes and the Renaultnissan Alliance – so it’s based on the ladderframe platform of the Japanese brand’s Navara pick-up. The X-class’s side profile is close to that car’s, but the front end is distinctively Mercedes, with an oversized grille and a large three-pointed-star badge.
The engine line-up is based on four and six-cylinder diesel motors. The X 220d (161bhp) and X 250d (188bhp) use Merc’s 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel in single and twin-turbo form respectively.
Both of these engines get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but a sevenspeed dual-clutch automatic is offered as an option on the higher-powered unit.
By next summer a V6 diesel will have joined the line-up, offering 255bhp and paired up with permanent four-wheel drive. A part-time four-wheel-drive set-up will be fitted to the remainder of the range; UK buyers won’t be offered rear-drive editions.
All X-class models are rated for loads of up to 1.1 tonnes – sufficient for 17 full 50-litre beer barrels, Mercedes claims, and more than enough to make the car eligible for commercial vehicle tax classification. All UK X-classes will be capable of towing up 3.5 tonnes, too. Inside, the X-class gets plenty of familiar Mercedes cues, along with some harderwearing materials. The firm’s 8.4-inch infotainment system (as seen in the V-class) is mounted in its usual position in the centre of the facia, offering Garmin-based navigation across the range. On mid and high-spec models, there’s a further 5.4-inch display between the instrument dials. Mercedes has already taken several hundred reservations for the X-class in the UK, despite there being no official confirmation on pricing yet.
However, the car – which will be built by Nissan at its plant in Spain – is expected to cost from around £28,000 excluding VAT. The first British customers should get their cars in January 2018.
Based on Nissan Navara First deliveries next year “X-class is the result of a parts-sharing deal between Mercedes and Renault-nissan”