Photo: Guido Ten Brink/SB-Medien
Not counting some older versions of the G-Class or the mighty G63 AMG 6x6, Mercedes-Benz hasn't really been into civilian pickup trucks over the years.
From most perspectives, the X-Class is actually the first of its kind, and Mercedes-Benz is more than happy to underline this in the model's marketing.
Of course, most of you already know that it wasn't developed from the ground up by Mercedes since the platform is based on the Nissan Navara and the Renault Alaskan.
That said, engines, transmissions and plenty of technology borrowed from the Mercedes-Benz stable make the X-Class quite a different proposition compared to its French and Japanese cousins.
There is only one engine available at launch, offering two power stages. In the X220 d, the single-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel develops 163 hp, while in the X 250 d, the same engine has two turbochargers and develops 190 hp.
Both are available as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel-drive, with AWD 4Matic and a 7-speed automatic transmission being optional.
By mid-2018 there will also be an X 350 d 4Matic, which will come with a 3.0-liter, turbocharged V6 with 258 hp and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque, available only in the 4Matic guise and with the 7G-Tronic transmission.
Since the X-Class is not your average one-ton pickup-truck, it can haul a payload of up to 1.1 tonnes, which Mercedes feels compelled to explain that it's enough to transport 17 full 50-liter barrels of beer in the cargo area. So the new pickup follows the old “business in the front, party in the back,” idiom, even though the mullet is no longer part of typical hairdos where the X-Class will be sold.
Speaking of which, Mercedes-Benz says that the X-Class is aimed at customer groups such as landowners and farmers in Argentina, business owners such as building contractors in Australia, families with an affinity for premium products in Brazil, trend-conscious individuals in South Africa or Great Britain, as well as sporty adventurers in New Zealand.
Three design and equipment lines are available. The X-Class Pure (in all caps) is the basic version, which is more rugged and functional but lacks certain creature comforts. The X-Class Progressive has more style and comfort, while the X-Class Power is the high-end version, which is better fitted for people who like using trucks in the city.
You can already buy one in Germany, where it has a starting price of 37,294 euros, including 19 percent VAT. It will be available in other parts of Europe from November, in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand from 2018 and in Argentina and Brazil you will be able to buy it from 2019. No word on U.S. availability so far, but it could happen in 2019 at the earliest.
Of course, most of you already know that it wasn't developed from the ground up by Mercedes since the platform is based on the Nissan Navara and the Renault Alaskan.
That said, engines, transmissions and plenty of technology borrowed from the Mercedes-Benz stable make the X-Class quite a different proposition compared to its French and Japanese cousins.
There is only one engine available at launch, offering two power stages. In the X220 d, the single-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel develops 163 hp, while in the X 250 d, the same engine has two turbochargers and develops 190 hp.
Both are available as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel-drive, with AWD 4Matic and a 7-speed automatic transmission being optional.
By mid-2018 there will also be an X 350 d 4Matic, which will come with a 3.0-liter, turbocharged V6 with 258 hp and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque, available only in the 4Matic guise and with the 7G-Tronic transmission.
Since the X-Class is not your average one-ton pickup-truck, it can haul a payload of up to 1.1 tonnes, which Mercedes feels compelled to explain that it's enough to transport 17 full 50-liter barrels of beer in the cargo area. So the new pickup follows the old “business in the front, party in the back,” idiom, even though the mullet is no longer part of typical hairdos where the X-Class will be sold.
Speaking of which, Mercedes-Benz says that the X-Class is aimed at customer groups such as landowners and farmers in Argentina, business owners such as building contractors in Australia, families with an affinity for premium products in Brazil, trend-conscious individuals in South Africa or Great Britain, as well as sporty adventurers in New Zealand.
Three design and equipment lines are available. The X-Class Pure (in all caps) is the basic version, which is more rugged and functional but lacks certain creature comforts. The X-Class Progressive has more style and comfort, while the X-Class Power is the high-end version, which is better fitted for people who like using trucks in the city.
You can already buy one in Germany, where it has a starting price of 37,294 euros, including 19 percent VAT. It will be available in other parts of Europe from November, in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand from 2018 and in Argentina and Brazil you will be able to buy it from 2019. No word on U.S. availability so far, but it could happen in 2019 at the earliest.
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