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.
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 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.
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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feel bit ugly…
Y U So angry Mercedes ☓ class?
Dun jeles dude.
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!
Superfluous concept. There are many other better ways to parade the big bank balance.
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
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….. ~!
Who would buy a Mercedes to pick up? Must be expensive goods to be able to afford such luxury.
rich farmers obviously
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
very fancy fire extinguisher..
it looks much better than merz passenger’s cars…
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
if got rich ppl crazy enough to buy a G-Class, definitely got market for this high end luxury pick up truck
Tonto big boss future car
Next unveiled will be the x-class AMG/BRABUS concept rite?
I am curious as to which audience this product is targeting?
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.
Looks like the blob fish
Center AC stack design needs to go
nissan navara with bling
Bawak main golf bes nyerr
Banyak tempat untuk letak beg-beg golf.
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.