New pickup hopes to perfect the modern one-tonne ute market’s need for commercial and private use
Mercedes-Benz has launched its first pickup vehicle, unveiling the X-Class in Stockholm, Sweden overnight.
To launch in 2017, Mercedes-Benz says the new product lineup offers “all the strengths of a classic pickup” in combination with its “hallmark brand design and comfort to the driving dynamics and safety.”
Seating up to five people, Benz says its “pickup will bridge the gap between commercial and private and between urban and rural use.”
It will be on sale in Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
Sporting an “athletic design”, the truck maker says the pickup utilises features of its success SUV range and its coupes.
Inside, the vehicle has a leather and wood interior, high-resolution free-standing central display, central controller, multifunctional touchpad and on-board SIM card.
The addition of a telecommunications card will open the door to Mercedes’ me connect services.
“Drivers can connect with their pickup by smartphone, tablet or PC at any time and from anywhere,” Benz says.
“For example, to send navigation destinations to the vehicle or query where the pickup is parked and how much fuel is in the tank.
“In addition to these optional remote online services, standard services such as accident recovery, maintenance management and breakdown management will also be available.”
Benz says it has retained the handbrake to meet typical pickup characteristics and functionalities.
Under the hood, the X-Class will be powered by a V6 diesel in combination with 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive.
The all-wheel drive offering will be backed by an electronic traction system, a transfer case with reduction gear, and two differential locks.
In terms of load, the new pickup will offer a 1.1-tonne payload and be able to tow up to 3.5 tonnes.
Driving will be aided by modern driver assistance systems, Benz says, utilising inbuilt cameras, radar and ultrasound sensors.
The new pickup also includes 22-inch light-alloy wheels, a lemonax metallic paint finish, an electric winch at the front and a metal hook at the rear.
Matching the SUV look, it features a radiator grille with two louvres, front and rear underride guard, wing claddings, and matte carbon wheel arches.
Sitting 1.90m above the ground, the Benz has 35×11.50 size tyres and a high ground clearance.
Styling elements will be as customisable as Benz’s other ranges, it says, and will include bed covers, material finishes, infotainments systems and seat comfort.
“Our future X-Class will be a pickup that knows no compromise,” Mercedes-Benz Vans head Volker Mornhigweg says.
“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 pickup before.”
Benz says those customers will fall into one of five categories: families with an active lifestyle, successful adventurers, trend-conscious individualists, construction groups and rural landowners.
Built in connection with Renault-Nissan, production of the X-Class models heading to Australia will ship from a plant in Barcelona, Spain from late-2017.