Carmaker targets growing global demand for midsize pickups with passenger car characteristics and comfort features. Pitches new X-Class as ‘the Mercedes among pickups’.
19 Jul 2017 | 3985 Views | By Autocar Pro News Desk
Mercedes-Benz has taken the covers off the production-ready X-Class, the first pickup from the premium vehicle manufacturer.
At first glance, the design of the Concept X-Class remains unchanged and has gone on to see standard production. The X-Class is being positioned as a rugged, all-terrain pickup but also as ...
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Mercedes-Benz has taken the covers off the production-ready X-Class, the first pickup from the premium vehicle manufacturer.
At first glance, the design of the Concept X-Class remains unchanged and has gone on to see standard production. The X-Class is being positioned as a rugged, all-terrain pickup but also as a vehicle for urban lifestyles and families.
According to the carmaker, the X-Class complements the strengths of a midsize pickup with typical Mercedes-Benz characteristics of driving dynamics, comfort, design, safety, connectivity and an extensive scope for individualisation.
There are three design and equipment variants to choose from as well as four or six-cylinder engines, rear-wheel drive and engageable or permanent all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed automatic transmission. In addition there are six different seat covers, including two leather variants, three sets of cockpit trim parts and a diverse range of accessories developed by Mercedes-Benz. These allow the X-Class to be modified to suit personal tastes and requirements like no other pickup, both visually and in terms of functionality.
The Mercedes-Benz pickup is available in Germany from 37,294 euros (including 19 percent VAT). The market launch in Europe is scheduled for November 2017. At the beginning of 2018 is when the X-Class will be introduced in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand followed by Argentina and Brazil in early 2019.
Targeting the modern pickup buyer
The X-Class has been developed with the changing requirements of the international pickup markets in mind. The demand for midsize pickups with typical passenger car characteristics and comfort features has been steadily on the rise for years. At the same time, the number of pickups for private use is increasing. They are no longer viewed purely as workhorses, says Mercedes.
The X-Class is aimed at very different customer groups: land owners and farmers in Argentina, business owners and building contractors in Australia, families with an affinity for premium products in Brazil, trend-conscious individualists in South Africa and Great Britain as well as sporty adventurers in New Zealand and Germany.
The manufacturer is billing the X-Class as ‘the Mercedes among pickups’ – a tough performance pickup with driveability and handling that matches driving dynamics and ride comfort. This is attained thanks to a comfort suspension with the fine tuning expected of a Mercedes. It consists of a ladder-type frame, rear multi-link solid axle, front independent wheel suspension and coil springs on both axles.
The X-Class can haul a payload of up to 1.1 tonnes. Able to tow up to 3.5 tonnes, it can also pull a trailer containing three horses or an eight-metre yacht. With its long 3150-millimetre wheelbase, the short and cladded front overhang, the backward shifted passenger compartment and the very long rear overhang, the X-Class has an elongated vehicle body.
The design of the side windows with their dynamic kink along the beltline and taut lines contrasting with muscular, sculpted surfaces also allude to the longitudinal dynamics. Widely flared wheel arches, the commanding front and the purist design of the rear all accentuate the impression of width. Together, they give the pickup a powerful on-road presence.
Interior: new benchmark in comfort, quality feel
In the interior, the X-Class elevates comfort and quality feel to a new level within the segment for midsize pickups, says Mercedes. The instrument panel has the concave trim element typical of a Merc. It stretches across the entire width of the instrument panel – a novel feature in this vehicle segment.
There are three trim variants to choose from for the X-Class Power: a pixelated look in matt black, an aluminium effect with longitudinal grain and a brown matt woodgrain effect. To complement the high-quality feel, the upper section of the cockpit is available with Artico man-made leather in either black or nut brown. The characteristic round ventilation outlets add a sporty touch. Depending on the design and equipment line, these come in either high-gloss black or silver shadow, creating a high-end cool-touch effect.
The instrument cluster consists of the large, analogue round dials from the C-Class and V-Class. In the X-Class Progressive and Power variants, they are tubular. A 5.4-inch colour multimedia display is nestled between the round dials. Thanks to the push-buttons on the standard-fit three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, the settings on the colour display can be controlled without drivers having to take their hands off the steering wheel. The steering wheel with its 12 buttons in total is height-adjustable, thereby improving ergonomic posture and allowing a relaxed seating position.
On the seating front, premium materials and a seat structure featuring optimum lateral support, a high seat position and the use of ergonomically formed soft foam make sitting comfortable for both the driver and front passenger, even on longer journeys. With their clear, ergonomic and functional design, the comfort seats can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction as well as for height and backrest tilt. The X-Class Power has electrically adjustable seats and electric two-way lumbar support as standard. The rear seat row for three people is positioned at a comfortable height and has reinforced seat side bolsters for optimum support in the outer seating positions. These seats are also equipped with attachment points for an i-Size/ISOFIX child seat as standard.
Engines on offer
The X-Class gets two powerful and efficient four-cylinder engines. The high-torque common-rail diesel drive system with a displacement of 2.3 litres is available with a choice of two power outputs. In the X 220 d with single turbocharger it generates 120 kW/163 hp and in the biturbo X 250 d no less than 140 kW/190 hp. Both diesel models are available as left- or right-hand drive vehicles with purely rear wheel drive or with engageable all-wheel drive.
A high-torque V6 diesel engine will be released mid-2018, ensuring even greater agility on- and off-road. It will generate 190 kW/258 hp and a maximum torque of 550 Nm.
The X-Class is the first pickup to deliver both excellent off- and on-road performance, according to the manufacturer. The wide track, long wheelbase and comfortable spring and damping tuning open up a new world of driving enjoyment and driving dynamics on the road – without resulting in compromises when off-road.
A special feature in this segment are the coil springs used both at the front and the rear, which contributes to harmonious suspension comfort. The comfort suspension is designed in such a way that it achieves a high level of driving dynamics and ride comfort on the road, while also delivering maximum off-road capability in conjunction with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The comfort suspension consists of a double wishbone front axle and a rear multi-link solid axle that is ideal for transporting heavy loads and has good articulation capability. This combination ensures that the suspension is comfortable and the handling is safe, given any permitted load condition.