Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class pick-up unveiled

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Exterieur, Weißmetallic ; Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Exterior, White metallic;

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Exterieur, Weißmetallic ;
Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Exterior, White metallic;

It’s been a while coming, but Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed its pick-up truck concept that previews its entry into the utilitarian segment. Officially dubbed the Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class, it is technically not one, but two vehicles – the road-biased Stylish Explorer and the more rugged Powerful Adventurer.

As we all know, the X-Class is built in collaboration with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, but it’s clear that the truck is much more than just an Nissan NP300 Navara or Renault Alaskan in a Mercedes get-up for Halloween. The entire exterior and interior has been remodelled to give the three-pointed star version its own distinct look. The design theme is hot and cool – the former is represented by a pure surface treatment, the latter by technically precise details.

Both cars get sharp, slim LED High Performance headlights that look to have come straight off an AMG GT, flanking a massive grille. Underneath sits a full-width bone-shaped lower grille that gives it a less utilitarian look than the Navara, while the bonnet gains a prominent bonnet bulge.

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Exterieur, Weißmetallic ; Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Exterior, White metallic;

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Exterieur, Weißmetallic ;
Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Exterior, White metallic;

Along the side, the shared side windows mean that the its connection to the Nissan is clearer, but the bodysides are simpler, with a continuous shoulder line running front to back, instead of the Navara’s haunches over the front and rear wheel arches. Speaking of which, the arches on the Mercedes are squared-off instead of round, and are more prominently blistered.

Inside, the X-Class retains the latest Mercedes-Benz familial look, with a horizontal dashboard design, twin-tube instrument gauges from the C-Class, a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel, round air vents (four in the middle), iPad-style COMAND display perched on top and a COMAND rotary controller and touchpad.

However, there are some elements clearly borrowed from the Nissan, such as the engine start button, climate control and four-wheel drive switchgear, floor-mounted (instead of column-mounted) gearlever, overhead console and a traditional handbrake instead of Mercedes’ foot-operated or electronic parking brake.

The Stylish Explorer is differentiated on the outside through the matte white paint, single-bar grille with the dinner plate-sized tristar front and centre, massive AMG-style 22-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels and tail lights consisting of a continuous LED ring that goes around the tailgate. Step inside and you’ll find brown nubuck and white Nappa leather upholstery, plus open pore smoked wood trim across the dashboard.

Meanwhile, the Powerful Adventurer gains lemonax (yellow) metallic matte paint, twin-louvre grille, front and rear sump guards, wing claddings and carbon fibre wheel arches hiding chunky off-road tyres and wheels.

At the rear, there are vertical tail lights and a unique grate of a tailgate, while a front electric winch and rear tow hook add to the He-Man look. The cabin gains a standard round steering wheel, carbon fibre trim, black-and-yellow leather upholstery and a fire extinguisher ahead of the front passenger.

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Interieur, Kombination aus weißem Nappaleder und braunem Nubukleder ; Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Interior, Mix of white nappa leather and brown nubuck leather;

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Interieur, Kombination aus weißem Nappaleder und braunem Nubukleder ;
Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS stylish explorer – Interior, Mix of white nappa leather and brown nubuck leather;

Mercedes has revealed that higher-end variants of the X-Class will be powered by a turbodiesel V6, likely the ubiquitous 3.0 litre mill developing 258 hp and 620 Nm. Other models could get the 2.3 litre twin-turbo four-pot diesel the Navara offers in countries with cleaner diesel, with up to 188 hp and 450 Nm on tap.

The four-wheel drive system will combine an electronic traction system, a two-speed transfer case and differential locks on the centre shaft and rear axle. The whole system shuffles power to the axle with the most grip, and both differentials can be locked for extreme off-road driving.

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS powerful adventurer – Interieur, Kombination aus schwarzem Nappaleder in Glanzoptik und schwarzen, geprägten Lederflächen im Carbon-Stil, Akzente in der Farbe des Exterieurlacks (Lemonaxmetallic) ; Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS powerful adventurer – Interior, Mix of glossy black nappa leather and carbon-style black embossed leather surfaces, Highlights in colour of exterior paint finish (lemonax metallic);

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS powerful adventurer – Interieur, Kombination aus schwarzem Nappaleder in Glanzoptik und schwarzen, geprägten Lederflächen im Carbon-Stil, Akzente in der Farbe des Exterieurlacks (Lemonaxmetallic) ;
Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS powerful adventurer – Interior, Mix of glossy black nappa leather and carbon-style black embossed leather surfaces, Highlights in colour of exterior paint finish (lemonax metallic);

The company quotes a payload capacity of more than 1.1 tonnes and a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes. Additionally, the X-Class will also benefit from the Navara’s five-link rear suspension with coil springs, ensuring better ride comfort than other pick-ups, both on- and off-road. Driver assists will be made available with the use of cameras, radar and ultrasound sensors, with many features coming as standard.

Slated to be built at Nissan’s plant in Barcelona, the X-Class will enter European, Australian and South African markets in late 2017. The following year, production will kick off at Renault’s facility in Cordoba, Argentina for the Latin American market.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • markgoh on Oct 26, 2016 at 4:43 am

    feel bit ugly…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 18
  • Y U So angry Mercedes ☓ class?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 12
  • idealtech on Oct 26, 2016 at 7:14 am

    Hmmm wonder how they will price it compared to Navara. Funny, knowing that it’s derived from Navara but somehow it is a Merc,arghhhhh!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • Superfluous concept. There are many other better ways to parade the big bank balance.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Yokohama24 on Oct 26, 2016 at 8:24 am

    Too sleek for a pickup. The design should be something like G-class. If you get what I mean, the tough built kind of feeling

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • so it seems that the aircond controls from a nissan is good enough to be used in a Mercedes….

    i know its just a concept, but that brown steering wheel looks asymmetrical….

    Timber tycoons/mafia cn now do site visits in style….. ~!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Andrekua on Oct 26, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Who would buy a Mercedes to pick up? Must be expensive goods to be able to afford such luxury.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • rich farmers obviously

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • Ah Kow on Oct 26, 2016 at 2:19 pm

      Good news for billionaires who prefer to pay with cash. Now they have an ideal pick up to carry their cash around to buy property or whatever

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • hailthepurist on Oct 26, 2016 at 9:39 am

    very fancy fire extinguisher..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • it looks much better than merz passenger’s cars…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Pentiru on Oct 26, 2016 at 10:16 am

    It seems, Merc stole the idea from Proton to use other manufacturer’s platform, to build their own car, and sell at a premium price…

    #howironic

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
  • arowana on Oct 26, 2016 at 10:21 am

    if got rich ppl crazy enough to buy a G-Class, definitely got market for this high end luxury pick up truck

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Greedy monkey on Oct 26, 2016 at 10:37 am

    Tonto big boss future car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Yeast Lump on Oct 26, 2016 at 11:30 am

    Next unveiled will be the x-class AMG/BRABUS concept rite?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • thepolygonal on Oct 26, 2016 at 11:37 am

    I am curious as to which audience this product is targeting?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • Not you on Oct 26, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      If you had to ask, then you definitely are not in Merc’s targeted demographics. Buy a normal pickup (Hilux, D-Max etc) if you are using it as a workhorse. The X-Class is for those wealthy customers who always asked for a more luxurious, comfortable and premium pickup that can double as a workhorse when the needs arise.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • FIST (Member) on Oct 26, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    Looks like the blob fish

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • seancorr (Member) on Oct 26, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    Center AC stack design needs to go

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Oct 26, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    nissan navara with bling

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Ahmad on Oct 26, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    Bawak main golf bes nyerr
    Banyak tempat untuk letak beg-beg golf.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Mikey on Oct 26, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    A 22-inch wheels on a pick-up is a sure sign that this is for show ONLY. If U want a proper pick-up, just buy the Nissan Navara or Renault Alaskan.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
 

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