Photo: CarPix
At this year’s edition of the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is expected to debut a rather intriguing machine, as in the pickup truck concept. Due to go on sale in 2017, the production-ready Mercedes-Benz GLT will bring sexy back in the mid-size segment and, if everything goes according to plan, it will be available in the United States as well.
All things considered, Mercedes-Benz is a force of nature in the commercial van market. In the nearest of futures, though, the German juggernaut will branch out its commercial lineup with a more appealing workhorse. “The Mercedes-Benz pickup will contribute nicely to our global growth targets,” declared Dr. Dieter Zetsche, the head honcho at Daimler AG.
“We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value,” concluded Zetsche. As you can see in the latest spy photographs of the thing, Mercedes-Benz is still running test mules instead of the real deal.
The truck in question looks like a Nissan NP300 Navara because, at the end of the day, the Mercedes-Benz GLT will share a lot of the architecture. Look closer and you’ll spot some minor differences over this test mule and the Nissan. The tell-tale signs this is a Mercedes-Benz are the flared fenders and wider track.
The first model to use the letter T in the automaker’s naming system is expected to get four- and six-cylinder engines. A six-speed manual will come as standard, while the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic will be optional. The initial markets for the GLT are Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and Europe.
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLT is also considered for the North American market, but don’t get your hopes up too high too soon. If Mercedes-Benz identifies demand for such a thing in the U.S. and if the automaker can convince Nissan to make the truck in Mexico, then the upcoming GLT will not be subjected to the chicken tax. Fingers crossed that will pan out as expected and the GLT will be sold in the U.S. as well.
“We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value,” concluded Zetsche. As you can see in the latest spy photographs of the thing, Mercedes-Benz is still running test mules instead of the real deal.
The truck in question looks like a Nissan NP300 Navara because, at the end of the day, the Mercedes-Benz GLT will share a lot of the architecture. Look closer and you’ll spot some minor differences over this test mule and the Nissan. The tell-tale signs this is a Mercedes-Benz are the flared fenders and wider track.
The first model to use the letter T in the automaker’s naming system is expected to get four- and six-cylinder engines. A six-speed manual will come as standard, while the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic will be optional. The initial markets for the GLT are Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and Europe.
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLT is also considered for the North American market, but don’t get your hopes up too high too soon. If Mercedes-Benz identifies demand for such a thing in the U.S. and if the automaker can convince Nissan to make the truck in Mexico, then the upcoming GLT will not be subjected to the chicken tax. Fingers crossed that will pan out as expected and the GLT will be sold in the U.S. as well.
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