Does X mark the top spot for Mercedes’ pick-up?

WITH the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger dominating new-vehicle sales in Australia nowadays, why shouldn’t luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz get a slice of the action?

Well, it’s going to happen, and probably sooner than many people think. Behold the Mercedes-Benz X-Class.

Up front it is clear that the X-Class is clearly related to Mercedes’ successful line of SUVs such as the GLC and GLE

Unveiled in near-production ready ‘Concept X’ guise in Sweden recently, the one-tonne pick-up with the three-pointed star on the bonnet is set for an Australian launch sometime in 2018, as part of Daimler’s strategy to secure a foothold in a segment that is growing internationally. Europe, Latin America and South Africa are the other key markets.

We’re not talking base model workhorses either, but dual-cab 4x4s with their crosshairs directly targeted at the Ranger Wildtrak and HiLux SR5. And the as-yet unexplored space above.

Is this the dawn of the $100,000 one-tonner?

The only real Nissan NP300 Navara design giveaway is the centre section, with the Japanese pick-up’s distinctive rear-door window line.

Right now, two concept models have been unveiled – the elegant simplicity of the ‘Stylish Explorer’ that suggests luxury action lifestyle, and the ‘Powerful Adventurer’ that attempts to lure folks in with its higher ride height, and rugged off-road capabilities. But only one will make it down the assembly line. It will be interesting to see if the production version is as striking as the preview models.

However, beyond the Concept X’s glitz and glam, there is some real working class hardware underneath, courtesy of underpinnings donated by the Nissan NP300 Navara.

Kudos to Mercedes’ design team for making the rear of a pick-up look as interesting and distinctive as this – very cool! This is the on-road biased ‘Stylish Explorer’, finished in rich silver metallic

Now, before you scoff, the Japanese pick-up’s lineage goes all the way back to the 1934 Model 13, and continuously so since 1955’s Datsun 120, so whether it is wearing Datsun, Nissan, or Mercedes-Benz badges, at least you will know that the ‘D’ in this truck’s DNA stands for durable. Additionally, you can also throw the Renault nameplate in the mix, as the French manufacturer will have yet another NP300 spinoff in the guise of the Alaskan at around the same time as the Stuttgart marque in less than two years time.

Described as a “true Mercedes” in terms of design, driving dynamics, safety, and comfort, the development costs are quoted as approaching €1 billion ($A1.4b) by the time the first customer takes delivery of one.

A free-standing high-res central display connected to the central controller and multifunction touchpad allows drivers to use gestures or enter letters to search and navigate the system.

With the centre section being the only real evidence of NP300, the Germans completely redesigned the nose and tail, with the former gaining what it says is an expression of the GLC’s front-end treatment, including the tapering headlights, single or two-bar grille with large central badge, a bulging bonnet, flared wheelarches, and sophisticated bumper styling treatments.

Mercedes says it also engineered a wider track stance to allow for larger wheels and tyres – a signature and popular sign of an upmarket truck – that should also help the X-Class achieve high standards of steering, handling, and ride characteristics. Apparently up to 22-inch alloys are possible.

The more rugged of the two concepts reveals the off-road bias of the huge wheels, black trim outlines, and obligatory winch.

The ‘Powerful Adventurer’ also offers up massive ground clearance (taking overall height to 1900mm), front and rear under-ride guards, wing claddings and matte carbon wheel arches, as well as an electric winch.

Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of the Mercedes pick-up’s appearance is the rear, due to the implementation of a continuous LED light strip around the tailgate border, finished off with a chromed trim garnish at the lower edge.

A ladder-frame chassis and selectable 4x4 transmission will be available on higher-range versions, giving the X-Class real off-road capability.

We can imagine some of those items making it to production, but the Concept X’s extremely car-like interior may be a bit too bourgeois for the target market. The Stylish Explorer, for instance, boasts rich soft Nappa leather, smoked oak wood appliqué, and both polished and brushed aluminium-contrasting materials. At least the Powerful Adventurer’s cabin is a bit more toned down, though there’s still matte carbon elements, metallic brushed surfaces and glossy black Nappa leather to luxuriate in.

Back to reality, Mercedes said much of the interior’s design and architectural signature will be very familiar to existing owners, pointing to the multimedia systems, ergonomic seating, and some switchgear and instrumentation elements.

The tough ruggedness of the yellow ‘Powerful Adventurer’ spills into the interior, with more durable materials and what looks like a fire extinguisher. But the X-Class is still all about travelling in style.

There will be also an extensive level of unique customisation items available for the as-yet unconfirmed variants, as well as all the expected accessories buyers expect in this sort of truck.

As for precisely what powers the X-Class, the Germans are keeping mum on that, except to reveal that there will definitely be a four-cylinder turbo-diesel 4x2, as well as a flagship V6 turbo-diesel 4x4 with an electronic traction system, a transfer case with reduction gear and two differential locks. The Navara 4WD has long enjoyed a reputation for go-anywhere capability so it isn’t unreasonable to believe the Benz should too.

All Australian-bound X-Classes will be made in Spain for our rugged and occasionally rain-soaked plains when sales commence in 2018

To aid the latter, the ladder-frame chassis’ payload should exceed 1100kg, while a 3500kg towing capacity is also on the cards. We also understand that the five-link rear suspension with coil springs and a “precisely calibrated” spring and damper set-up will make for “high ride comfort – on the road and off the road”, according to Benz.

Finally, Mercedes has confirmed that safety will be paramount, with driver assistance systems offered to help make the X-Class best-in-segment globally.

Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans Volker Mornhinweg said the X-Class will appeal to buyers that may not have previously considered purchasing a pick-up.

If you’re horrified by the thought of a Nissan-based Mercedes truck, consider the SsangYong-built MB100 forward control van from 1999 to 2004… this one’s the SsangYong Istana people-mover version

“We will open up and change the segment of mid-size pick-ups – with the world’s first true premium pick-up for the modern urban lifestyle,” he said. “Our future X-Class will be a pick-up that knows no compromise. Ladder-type frame, high-torque six-cylinder engine, and permanent all-wheel drive are compulsory for us.

“As an added value we bring safety, comfort, agility, and expressive design – in other words, everything that distinguishes vehicles bearing the Mercedes star. We will thus appeal to new customers who have not considered owning a pick-up before.”

Nissan’s been making small and medium trucks since before World War II, so it certainly has the know-how – here’s a 1980-1986 720 King Cab, ancestor to the Mercedes X-Class.

The X-Class will be built in a manufacturing co-operation with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and for the Australian, European and South African markets it will be produced in Barcelona, Spain.

It all sounds very intriguing, and clearly Mercedes has done more than just slap a badge on an existing pick-up. Are we ready for such a salubrious workhorse?

Byron Mathioudakis GoAuto.com.au

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