There’s a Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute in Australia, as part of a promotional spread for the upcoming release of the dual cab ute. It’s their hard-core concept model, which is still sporting a meaty set of 35″ Silverstone Extreme mud terrains.
It’s a part of the market that the German manufacturer hasn’t targeted before, but since the 4X4 ute segment has slowly moved more and more upmarket, there is now demand for premium utes like the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Volkswagen Amarok V6 Ulitmate.
Along with giving dealers a closer look at the model, the ute is also here to drum up some more interest before the vehicle is released in 2018.
What we know about the Mercedes X-Class so far:
It’s going to be based upon the Nissan Navara, in terms of chassis and basic suspension layout. So that means it will have the five-link coil -sprung live rear and independent front suspension, but will be tuned by Mercedes-Benz to their own end.
It’s going to have a few engine options, including a V6 diesel that will allow it to compete directly with the currently most powerful and torquiest ute on the market, the Amarok V6. Mercedes’ own OM642 V6 diesel can push up to 195kW and 620Nm at it’s most highly-strung, but we’ll have to wait to see what kind of tune we get for Australia. There is also going to be a petrol option, which will probably be sourced from a Mercedes Van, as well as borrowing Nissan’s Renault-sourced 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel four-banger (140kW/450Nm).
How it looks in the concept, aside from a few visual tweak, will be how it will look in production. And impressively, the same goes for the interior. I doubt those muddies are going to live up to Mercedes’ idea of refinement, and I imagine the 1st year apprentice will get a clip on the ear when he puts his filty tradie boots up on the dash. The X-Class might not appreciate getting hosed out, but that’s the way the ute segment is moving these days: flash.
