Mercedes-Benz launches premium pick-up

Mercedes-Benz says its new premium pick-up - the X-Class - is a rugged, all-terrain vehicle, coupled with the driving dynamics, design, safety, comfort and connectivity that you would expect from the manufacturer.

There is also extensive scope for individualisation, meeting changing customer requirements and opening up the segment to new customer groups, it says.

There are three design and equipment variants to choose from as well as four or six-cylinder engines, rear-wheel drive and engageable or permanent all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed automatic transmission.

In addition, there are six different seat covers, including two leather variants, three sets of cockpit trim parts and a diverse range of accessories developed by Mercedes-Benz. These allow the X-Class to be modified to suit personal tastes and requirements, both visually and in terms of functionality.

The market launch in Europe is scheduled for November 2017. At the beginning of 2018 South Africa, Australia and New Zealand will follow, beginning of 2019 Argentina and Brazil.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "The segment for mid-size pick-ups is ripe for a premium vehicle. With the X-Class we will open up this segment to new customer groups, just as we redefined the off-road segment with the M-Class more than 20 years ago.

“Our pick-up convinces as a workhorse, yet also as a family and lifestyle vehicle. In short, The X-Class is the Mercedes among pick-ups."

In terms of pricing, Mercedes-Benz says the X-Class will be available in Germany from €37,294 (£33,000) including 19% VAT. Further market-specific prices will be released later.

It will be available in three model variants: X-Class Pure for classic robust use, X-Class Progressive for higher requirements in terms of quality feel and comfort and X-Class Power as the high-end variant.

Customers can add a styling bar, side bar, canopy, various covers as well as numerous cargo and off-road solutions – all developed and designed by Mercedes.

From launch, there will be a choice between the common rail diesel X 220 d (120 kW/163hp) and X 250 d (140 kW/190hp) as well as a petrol engine (122 kW/165hp) in selected markets. A top-of-the-range V6 diesel (190kW/258hp) will be released mid-2018.

Passive and active safety equipment includes, Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Assist, among others. And, thanks to Mercedes me connect, X-Class customers are connected to their vehicle via smartphone at all times and can call up useful information such as the location of the vehicle or the fuel level, and navigate from door to door.

In terms of width, the load bed is designed in such a way that a Euro-pallet can be loaded straight between the wheel arches and will be equipped with lighting in the cargo area as standard. The third brake light contains LED lights which illuminate the whole load bed. Operation is by a switch in the centre console. As soon as the ignition is switched on, those lights turn off automatically. A 12-volt socket to power additional equipment such as compressors, for example, is also part of the standard equipment in the load bed.

Dimensions of the X-Class
Vehicle length	5340 mm
Vehicle width	1920 mm
Vehicle height	1819 mm
Wheelbase	3150 mm
Load bed length	1587 mm
Load bed width	1560 mm
Load bed height	474 mm
Maximum payload capacity	1042 kg
Braked towing capacity (depending on engine and equipment)	1650–3500 kg

Off-road characteristics
Fording depth	600 mm
Ground clearance	Front axle 202 mm Rear axle 221 mm for suspension with raised ground clearance
Angle of approach/departure front/rear	28.8°/23.8° 30.1°/25.9° for suspension with raised ground clearance
Maximum tilt	49.8° 49° for suspension with raised ground clearance
Ramp breakover angle	20.4° 22° for suspension with raised ground clearance
Maximum gradeability	100%