Mercedes Benz X Class Concept Pickup Truck 2018 Update: Based on the Nissan Navara, the new Mercedes X-Class aims to bring ‘premium’ to the pick-up market.
Mercedes has a history of producing vans for the commercial vehicle market – but now the firm is branching out further with its new pick-up, called the Mercedes Benz X Class Concept Pickup Truck 2018. It’s due on sale in November 2017.
The Mercedes Benz X Class Concept Pickup Truck 2018 is the result of a parts-sharing deal between Mercedes and the Renault-Nissan Alliance – so it’s based on the ladder-frame platform of the Japanese brand’s Navara pick-up that will soon also bring us the Renault Alaskan.
Mercedes has made significant modifications right across the board, however, in a bid to produce a pick-up that it deems worthy of the three-pointed star – and a significantly inflated price tag.
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It’s a strategy Mercedes-Benz has employed before in the commercial vehicle market with its Citan van sharing much with the Renault Kangoo.
The key for Mercedes is to create distance between the Navara/Alaskan and the X-Class by building in a higher level of quality and technology that will convince buyers that the Mercedes Benz X Class Concept Pickup Truck 2018 is worth paying the Mercedes-Benz premium for.
Head of Mercedes-Benz vans Volker Mornhinweg explained that:
"The X-Class will redefine the pick-up into a true premium vehicle."Before outlining the opportunity Mercedes sees in the global pick-up market.
Volker Mornhinweg added:
"Look back in time and compare what has happened to SUVs. They were rough and tough vehicles and now they're family cars. The same could happen with the pick-up".
Mercedes estimates that that the global pick-up segment will expand to the tune of 1m units by 2026, an uplift of 43%.
Exterior Design and Dimensions
The Mercedes Benz X Class Concept Pickup Truck 2018 is 40mm longer than its sister vehicle. More tellingly, it’s also 70mm wider at 1,920mm and a height of 1,819mm makes it 21mm lower than the Navara too - evidence of Mercedes’ design team striving for that powerful road presence to mark the X-Class out.
The extra width helps the Mercedes Benz X Class Concept Pickup Truck 2018 accommodate a wider track front and rear that works with a 10mm lower ride height to boost stability as well as that all-important stance on the road.
It also boosts cabin space with passengers getting an extra 25mm of shoulder room in the Mercedes.
The X-Class’s side profile is very close to the Navara’s but there are subtle changes throughout. The cleaner design is intended to accentuate the short front overhang and the long one at the rear for a more dynamic look.
The front end is distinctively Mercedes, with an oversized grille similar to that found on the marque’s SUVs and a large three-pointed-star badge.
Around at the rear there’s the chunky bumper with its integrated step as seen on the Navara, but this can be deleted by customers who need the tailgate to swing down beyond the standard 90 degrees.
The Mercedes Benz X Class Concept Pickup Truck 2018 gains progressively more chrome and body-colouring at both ends.
The aim is to move away from the pick-up’s working vehicle roots, positioning is as more of a stylish utility vehicle. It’s what the market wants and what Mercedes feels it’s well placed to deliver.
Interior
While the platform might have been sourced off the Navara, the interior of the new X Class is all unique Mercedes. The X Class elevates comfort and quality feel to a new level within this segment of vehicles.
The instrument panel has the concave trim element typical of a Mercedes. There’s also a COMMAND Online multimedia system included that features a 8.4-inches screen, which is also the biggest display in the segment.
It has a resolution of 960×540 pixels and high-contrast IPS technology which just simply means that is is both sharp and clearly visible at any angle.
Coming to the instrument cluster, you’d almost instantly recognize it for being a Mercedes Benz. It features large, analogue round dials that are available in the C-Class.
There’s also a 5.4-inch color multimedia display in between the round dials. The buttons on the 3-spoke steering wheels are used to navigate through this screen.
In the center console, you’ll also find the multifunction touchpad that is also similar to most other passenger cars that the company produces.
Engines and Transmissions
The X-Class engine line-up is based on four and six-cylinder diesel motors. The X 220d (161bhp) and X 250d (188bhp) use the same 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel in single and twin-turbo form respectively. Both of these engines get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is offered as an option on the higher-powered unit.
By next summer a V6 diesel will have joined the line-up in the X 350d, offering 255bhp and paired up with permanent four-wheel drive and a 7G Tronic automatic gearbox. It will also come with Mercedes’ Dynamic Select as standard, offering the ability to switch between Comfort, Eco, Sport, Manual and Offroad driving modes – a first for the pick-up segment.
The Mercedes Benz X Class Concept Pickup Truck 2018 uses double wishbone front axle and, unusually for a pick-up, a multi-link rear suspension.
Mercedes has developed a bespoke suspension set-up, stiffened areas of the ladder frame chassis and added a faster steering ratio, all to try and replicate some of the comfort and driving dynamics its passenger cars are known for.
The X-Class is also the only pick-up to offer internally vented brake discs on all wheels as standard. The front axle has 320mm discs and there are 308mm items at the rear.
Variants
The X Class will be available in three variants to suit different work environments:
The X Class Pure: This is the basic variant that is ideal for rugged and functional uses. It fulfills all the demanded places on a workhorse. At the same time you also get the comfort and design that you would expect from a Mercedes.
The X Class Progressive: This variant is aimed at people seeking a rugged pickup with extra styling and comfort functions.
The X Class Power: This features a high-end design and equipment line. It is aimed at customers for whom styling, performance and comfort are paramount.
Through its design and high level of equipment it reflects an independent and individualistic lifestyle.
Pricing & Availability
The Mercedes Benz X Class will be first made available n Europe, Africa South America and a few other markets. Pricing starts at around €37,000 which is almost equal to Rs. 44,800,00.
Only time will tell for how much it will go for when it comes to Pakistan officially.
Via: Mehran Post
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