The eagerly awaited, though somewhat surprising, Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute is getting closer to Australia by the day. With the announcement of pricing – from $45,450 for a manual cab-chassis, to $64,500 for a luxurious dual-cab – the working Benz will compete with the top end of utes from more traditional sources.
Or to be more precise, the top end of traditional utes with a stack of extras – because you will have to pay about $5000 to $15,000 extra for the Merc comparing like for like.
Why is Merc selling utes? Because all over the world, and very strongly in Australia, buyers are getting into these big machines, seeing them as a good cross between work and play.
Will Aussies buy Mercedes X-Classes? Too right they will, the prestige that goes with that front end will have them flocking to the showrooms if they have the extra bucks to spare.
It’s no secret that the X-Class is based on a Nissan Navara ute, but has a different body and revised underpinnings.
Mercedes X-Class will be launched in April 2018, initially with thirteen models. They will be powered by a choice of two 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesels. One a 220 d with 120 kW of power and 140 Nm of torque, the other 250 d with 140 / 450.
Interestingly, a six-speed manual gearbox will be offered in all models as the importer feels it will appeal to traditional ute buyers. We anticipate the great majority will opt for the seven-speed automatic transmission, but who knows?
X-Class will come with 2WD (rear wheels) or Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with low-range gearing and a diff lock. The 220d is offered with either powertrain, the 250 d is all-wheel drive only.
With a ground clearance of 222 millimetres and good approach and departure angles, this is a serious off-roader.
Mercedes-Benz Australia tell us the X-Class will provide, “Driving enjoyment on a par with passenger cars: The wide track, long wheelbase and comfortable spring and damping tuning typical of a Mercedes open up a new world of driving enjoyment and driving dynamics on the road – without resulting in compromises when off-road… using coils springs both front and rear.”
We’ve yet to experience a Mercedes-Benz X-Class from the driver’s seat but will do so asap and report back immediately afterwards.
The X-Class comes with a comprehensive array of safety equipment that it says is exceptional in this vehicle segment.
This is a large vehicle: a length of 5340 millimetres, width of 1920 mm and a height of 1819 mm. The width between the wheel arches allows the stacking of an Australian size pallet.
The X-Class will be able to tow up to 3.5 tonnes. Clearly aiming at the top end of the market Mercedes says, “it can pull a trailer containing three horses or an eight-metre yacht.” So there.
MODEL RANGE
X 220 d Pure Cab Chassis RWD: $45,450 (manual)
X 220 d Pure Utility RWD: $46,400 (manual)
X 220 d Pure Utility AWD: $50,400 (manual)
X 250 d Pure Cab Chassis AWD: $51,450 (manual), $54,350 (automatic)
X 250 d Pure Utility AWD: $52,400 (manual), $55,300 (automatic)
X 250 d Progressive Cab Chassis AWD: $53,950 (manual), $56,850 (automatic)
X 250 d Progressive Utility AWD: $54,900 (manual), $57,800 (automatic)
X 250 d Power Utility AWD: $61,600 (manual), $64,500 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for driveaway prices.
