Mercedes Benz X-Class

[Sioso]

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...-class-108051/


Full range for Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Three-variant, three-engine dual-cab range to include two and four-wheel-drive variants with pick-up and cab-chassis body styles; pricing still under wraps

Look out Toyota, Ford and Volkswagen. Mercedes-Benz Australia will launch its X-Class utility in early 2018 with a far broader model mix than originally anticipated.

Heralded by its maker as the “world’s first premium pick-up”, the X-Class will offer both trade and recreational-focussed variants. That should give it the scope to compete with a diverse mix of competitors, including the dual-cab Volkswagen Amarok (from $38,490-$67,990) and top-spec variants of Australia’s top-selling HiLux and Ranger utes.

It’s the first time a luxury brand has offered a dual-cab ute in Australia, and is one Mercedes-Benz says will change perceptions of what’s possible in the segment.

“With the world’s first premium pick-up we will not only enter the segment but extend it,” explained head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, Volker Mornhinweg.

“The time is right because the pick-up segment is changing… With the X-Class we will close the gap in our product portfolio.”

Although Mercedes-Benz Australia has yet to confirm pricing or timing of its X-Class locally, motoring.com.au understands the four-cylinder range will arrive in early 2018 with V6 4MATIC versions to follow later in the year.

“We’ll be launching two, four-cylinder variants early next year, and we’ll follow that in the middle of the year with the V6 variants,” detailed Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia public relations and corporate communications manager, Blake Vincent.

The 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine familiar to Nissan Navara drivers will be offered in two states of tune locally, and are grade dependant. The 120kW/403Nm X 220 d single-turbo entry engine will be offered in base-grade Pure and mid-spec Progressive variants, in conjunction with a six-speed manual transmission. The twin-turbo 140kW/450Nm tune of the X 250 d will be offered on these grades and the high-spec Power variant, with the option of a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Both four-cylinder variants will be available with the choice of 4x2 or 4x4 drivelines, the later with Nissan’s switchable electronic low-range transfer case.

The 190kW/550Nm V6 turbo-diesel dubbed X 350 d – which is mated exclusively to a Mercedes-Benz 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission and permanent 4MATIC all-wheel drive – will follow mid-year.

No petrol-engined X-Class varaiants will come Down Under. The 122kW/238Nm petrol engine offered in left-hand drive markets is off limits for Oz. Nor will there be any move beyond the dual-cab body-style.

“The X-Class will be dual-cab only,” confirmed Vincent.

“However, we will offer both tub and cab-chassis variants, [the latter of which] which will be offered on Pure and Progressive lines. The target market we’re going after, and where we see the most opportunity, is the dual-cab segment.”

Mercedes-Benz Australia says simply its three-model line-up will fulfil different roles depending on buyer demand. The X-Class Pure is aimed for rugged use on building sites, farms and the like as the workhorse model made with business buyers at front of mind.

The mid-grade Progressive will serve as a “calling card” for those with their own business, adding more in the way of creature comforts than the entry model.

Finally, the top-spec Power variant adds more performance, comfort and equipment, reflecting owners Mercedes-Benz says have “an independent or individualistic lifestyle”.

Equipment levels for each grade are yet to be finalised for the Australian market, however, motoring.com.au understands an optional Style Package will add a sliding rear window, privacy glass, LED headlights and partial LED tail-lights, side steps and 18-inch wheels to Progressive variants. The package will add the same equipment and 19-inch wheels to Power variants.

In keeping with the the various models’ roles it’s expected lower-grade trim levels will include cloth upholstery, vinyl flooring and a “no frills” interior treatment without chrome garnish. Heated leather upholstery, climate control, high-end infotainment systems and carpeted floors will feature on higher grade models.

“It’s Mercedes-Benz’s first [mid-sized] ute, and it has to meet all the standards that our customers expect of it,” Vincent continued.

“We’ve positioned ourselves deliberately to answer a range of different customer requirements, and will well and truly go head to head with what our competitors offer.

“We’re really comfortable with the equipment levels on offer across the three grades. We think it’s really competitive, and will actually lead the way in some areas, particularly safety,” Vincent claimed.

The X-Class will include autonomous emergency braking (operational from 5-200km/h), seven airbags (including full-length curtain airbags) lane-keeping assistant, reversing camera and four-wheel disc brakes across the range. High-grade models add a 360-degree camera and PARKTRONIC functionality.

All variants offer an 1100kg payload and 3500kg braked towing capacity with 10 per cent tow ball down-weight allowance (350kg).

As with the X-Class’ rivals, Mercedes-Benz will also offer a wide range of accessory items, including side steps, airbag-compatible bull bar, tow bar, snorkel, roll-over bar, tub liner, canopy, and hard and roller tonneaus.

“We’ve got a suite of genuine accessories which will be offered from launch,” Vincent reiterated.

“There’s also a number of accessories we’ll develop locally.”

Mercedes-Benz Australia says it already has thousands of expressions of interest in the new X-Class with some buyers already paying a deposit.

The X-Class will be sold at almost all of the brand’s dealerships nationwide, and in some regional areas is expected to account for almost half of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold.

“Our network already existing is predominantly our passenger car and van network, so 95 per cent of the van and light commercial network also sells passenger cars, so we will of course maintain that,” said Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia managing director, Diane Tarr.

“We understand that the distribution of the X-Class also becomes a lot more dominant in the rural space, so the light commercial [van network] is probably a small proportion of the rural dealers, and we see that almost becoming a 50:50 volume against cars.

“That really provides an opportunity to expand that network in rural representation we’ll see some expansion of the network that is only passenger car dealers becoming light commercial dealers,” she concluded.

The world’s media will have its first drive of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class in October this year.