MERCEDES BENZ X350D POWER
BACKGROUND
The Mercedes-benz X-class ute started life as a Nissan Navara. If that seems odd you need to understand that Mercedes wished to capitalise on the booming global ute market and turned to strategic partner Renault-nissan for its Navara D23 so as to fasttrack a design. Perhaps not everyone within the vast Mercedesbenz organisation thought that was a better idea than building a clean-sheet-design ute, but either way expediency won the day.
The X-class is however far from a rebadged Navara. Strengthening the ladder frame, reworking the suspension, increasing the track, widening the body and adding a whole new interior is just the start of the detailed re-engineering that Mercedes applied to Navara to create the X-class. And that’s just the four-cylinder model, which appeared in last year’s 4X4OTY.
In the case of the X350d you see here, Mercedes also threw out the Navara’s entire four-cylinder drivetrain and slotted in its own 3.0-litre V6 diesel, seven-speed automatic and full-time dual-range 4x4 system to complete what is a top-to-bottom transformation.
TOURING
The X-class’s 3.0-litre V6 diesel claims an impressive 190kw and lives up to that power promise with plenty of top-end zip, all helped with the relatively close ratios of the seven-speed automatic and not overly tall final-drive gearing. It has a strong midrange too but the X350d still feels a little soft off idle and at low speeds, a feeling exacerbated by the heavy, long-travel throttle. The gearbox also doesn’t have a ‘sport’ mode to help overcome – or at least mask – the slightly doughy bottom-end power delivery, but there are steering wheel-mounted paddles if you wish to use the gearbox’s ‘manual’ mode. For less urgent driving the engine remains effortless, smooth, quiet and refined, as you would expect of something wearing a Mercedes badge.
On the road, the chassis also feels solid and substantial and gives a sense of refinement far removed from the Nissan Navara. If the Navara feels like a whole lot of bits and pieces bolted together, then the X-class feels like it’s been carved out of a solid block of metal.
On most roads and at most speeds the suspension also provides a comfortable ride despite the relatively low-profile tyres. There’s good control too, although things head south at higher speeds on bumpier roads where the X350d starts to lose its otherwise good composure. Full-time 4x4 via the ‘4H Auto’ setting in the transfer case is however a notable advantage for touring in mixed conditions and brings both safety and convenience that part-time 4x4 can’t provide.
IN THE X350D, MERCEDES THREW OUT THE NAVARA’S ENTIRE FOUR-CYLINDER DRIVETRAIN AND SLOTTED IN ITS OWN 3.0-LITRE V6 DIESEL, SEVEN-SPEED AUTO AND FULL-TIME 4X4 SYSTEM