Mercedes-Benz has revealed its hotly-anticipated entry into the pick-up market, the X-Class, ahead of its market launch in November.
Touted as a more upmarket pick-up than what is currently on-sale, a claim that Volkswagen, with its Amarok, is likely to dispute, Mercedes said the new model – which shares components with the Nissan Navara and forthcoming Renault Alaskan – “pushes the boundaries of a traditional pick-up” by combining the rugged nature of a traditional truck with the firm’s ethos of comfort and luxury.
Aimed towards “trend-conscious individualists” in the UK, two engines will be available from launch – a 2.3-litre 163hp diesel and a more powerful 190hp version with a 258hp V6 diesel unit arriving this time next year.
“The X-Class is the first genuine pick-up with convincing passenger car characteristics. It’s robust, strong and with good off-road capability – just like a pick-up should be,” said Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “It’s also aesthetically pleasing, dynamic to drive, comfortable, safe, connected and individual – as you would expect from a Mercedes.”
He added: “As a result, the X-Class pushes the boundaries of the classic pick-up and makes this vehicle segment attractive for private use, too. With three design and equipment lines and an extensive scope of further individualisation options, we offer the ideal vehicle for a range of different customer groups and their needs.”
Pricing information for the UK has not been announced at this stage, however, Mercedes said its pick-up would cost from 37,294 Euros, including VAT, in Germany, which equates to around £26,500 excluding VAT. The entry-level Volkswagen Amarok is priced from £26,840, excluding VAT. By contrast, the plushiest version of the Nissan Navara – of which the X-Class is based – costs from £25,654, again excluding VAT.
Three versions of the X-Class will be offered, which Mercedes claimed are designed to suit different lifestyle and work environments. The base model – Pure – is designed to be a rugged and functional workhorse, while the Progressive adds extra styling and comfort features and the top-of-the-range Power model is aimed squarely at the lifestyle market.
The X-Class’ payload is rated at 1,042kg – slightly down on the Amarok’s figure of 1,114kg – which Mercedes said allows it to transport 17 50-litre barrels of beer in the cargo area, while its braked towing capacity is rated up to 3.5-tonnes, on a par with the class leaders and enough to haul a trailer containing three horses or an eight-metre long yacht, according to Mercedes.
Inside, the X-Class features an 8.4-inch touchscreen media system which houses the multimedia and navigation units as well as displaying images projected by the reversing and 360 degree cameras, while the brand claimed the X-Class is the first pick-up to feature an integrated SIM card, allowing drivers to access vehicle information from their smartphone, such as fuel levels and tyre pressures, as well as being able to show the vehicle’s location on a map.
Thanks to the SIM card being pre-installed, the pick-up has access to the internet, allowing it to receive live traffic information, with Mercedes claiming the navigation system can show the length of a traffic jam on a map with a 100 metre accuracy level.
Safety systems, meanwhile, consist of an active brake assist tool, lane keeping assist and traffic sign assist, as well as a trailer stability assistance tool and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
