Automotive

Mercedes trucks into the deep end with X-Class Concept

Mercedes trucks into the deep end with X-Class Concept
The new Mercedes X-Class
The new Mercedes X-Class
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The Mercedes X-Class made its debut in Stockholm
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The Mercedes X-Class made its debut in Stockholm
The Mercedes X-Class aims to blend luxury with all benefits of a practical pickup
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The Mercedes X-Class aims to blend luxury with all benefits of a practical pickup 
The Mercedes X-Class was shown off in two different trims
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The Mercedes X-Class was shown off in two different trims 
The Powerful Adventurer Mercedes X-Class is designed for rugged off-roading
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The Powerful Adventurer Mercedes X-Class is designed for rugged off-roading 
The Powerful Adventurer Mercedes X-Class has a winch and bash plate on the front end
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The Powerful Adventurer Mercedes X-Class has a winch and bash plate on the front end
The Stylish Explorer Mercedes X-Class has been designed with the city in mind
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The Stylish Explorer Mercedes X-Class has been designed with the city in mind
There's a hint of F-150 to the rear of the Powerful Adventurer Mercedes X-Class
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There's a hint of F-150 to the rear of the Powerful Adventurer Mercedes X-Class 
The splitter on the Mercedes X-Class looks like it could've come from a regular SUV
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The splitter on the Mercedes X-Class looks like it could've come from a regular SUV 
The Mercedes X-Class has the same luxurious cabin you'd find in any other car wearing a three-pointed star on the nose
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The Mercedes X-Class has the same luxurious cabin you'd find in any other car wearing a three-pointed star on the nose
The Mercedes X-Class is being aimed at Australia and Latin America
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The Mercedes X-Class is being aimed at Australia and Latin America
The X-Class sits on a coil-sprung five-link rear end
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The X-Class sits on a coil-sprung five-link rear end
22-inch wheels are unlikely to make it onto the production Mercedes X-Class
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22-inch wheels are unlikely to make it onto the production Mercedes X-Class 
Behind the wheel of the Mercedes X-Class
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Behind the wheel of the Mercedes X-Class 
The X-Class has been designed to feel at home in the city
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The X-Class has been designed to feel at home in the city
The rear-light loop on the Mercedes X-Class is unique
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The rear-light loop on the Mercedes X-Class is unique 
The Mercedes X-Class hits the trails
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The Mercedes X-Class hits the trails
The range-topping Mercedes X-Class will come with locking differentials and a transfer case
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The range-topping Mercedes X-Class will come with locking differentials and a transfer case
The Mercedes X-Class looks tough from the side
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The Mercedes X-Class looks tough from the side
Two-tone trim is the name of the game in the Mercedes X-Class
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Two-tone trim is the name of the game in the Mercedes X-Class 
Mercedes is promising its usual ride quality from the X-Class
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Mercedes is promising its usual ride quality from the X-Class
The new Mercedes X-Class
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The new Mercedes X-Class
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Mercedes has made some big changes in recent years, making a move downmarket with its ever-growing range of A-Classes, but its latest product is the biggest departure from three-pointed tradition we've seen yet. The X-Class shares its underpinnings with the Renault Alaskan and Nissan Navara, but Mercedes is adamant it melds the capability of a traditional truck with levels of luxury previously unmatched in the segment.

It might have been unthinkable in past, but Mercedes moving into the world of trucks actually makes sense. Pickup truck sales are growing rapidly, as people start to think of them as lifestyle vehicles rather than workhorses. Fourteen percent of all light vehicles sold in Australia are pickup trucks, and it's a similar story in Latin America. Even those sophisticated Europeans love them.

With that in mind, Mercedes has aimed the X-Class at buyers who want to drive it around the city during the week, before loading it up with bikes, kayaks and surfboards for their weekend adventures.

The rear-light loop on the Mercedes X-Class is unique
The rear-light loop on the Mercedes X-Class is unique 

From the outside, the design team has done a good job of hiding the fact the X-Class shares a close relationship with a Nissan. The slim headlamps, glitzy grille and deep front splitter have all been adapted from existing Mercedes models, and the wraparound taillight treatment on the white Stylish Explorer X-Class give it a totally unique feel from the rear.

You're also unlikely to find 22-inch wheels on the Navara or Alaskan, although there's no guarantee they'll make it to production here, either.

In matte green Powerful Adventurer trim, the X-Class swaps the pretty front bumper and shiny wheels for off-road ready parts. The looped taillights are also gone, replaced by a netted tailgate and more conventional lights. To our eyes, it's the more attractive of the two cars shown.

The X-Class might be a concept at the moment, but the interior looks production ready. From the standard COMAND infotainment system to the circular air vents, the new pickup borrows plenty from the E-Class and C-Class, although no amount of leather will hide the fact it's fitted with an old-fashioned mechanical handbrake and traditional gear stick.

Behind the wheel of the Mercedes X-Class
Behind the wheel of the Mercedes X-Class 

Although it's a bit prettier than the average pickup, Mercedes says the coil-sprung five-link rear axle on the X-Class gives it a peak payload of 1.1 tons, and a peak towing capacity of 3.5 tons. It will be interesting to see if this practical setup can also deliver the ride quality and damping you'd expect in a Mercedes, although the company was adamant its pickup would feel properly at home on the road.

Range-topping cars will also be fitted with a clever 4MATIC four-wheel drive system with dual differential locks and a transfer case for a bit of extra off-road capability. Details about the full range of engines will be offered closer to the production car's launch in 2017, but we do know a torquey V6 turbodiesel will sit at the top of the tree.

The X-Class will hit showrooms late in 2017. Expect to see a full production reveal early next year – but if you can't wait until then, you can check out more pictures of the concept in our gallery.

Source: Daimler

View gallery - 21 images
8 comments
8 comments
Lewis M. Dickens III
Horsepucky! for the illiterates.
Can never match the Ram.
Ugh!
gybognarjr
The interior vents are garish, they should be all black, only instruments and info must be attention grabbing and at the minimum at best. Vents don't convey information, drivers, passengers adjust them at will, even without taking the eye off the road.
RMinNM
The author mentioned the interior looks "production ready". These are most or all computer renders, not photos, so of course they look great.
Wolf0579
Pimp rims on a pickup?!? Methinks there is a problem with that idea. Who knows... maybe there are white farm boys who wish they were born black, too.
ljaques
In addition to all the great replies so far, I expect this lush truck to cost -only- a few hundred thousand dollars. Cool!
Stephen N Russell
Interior is TOO luxurious for work IE ranches, farms & construction alone Nice touches for drivers BUT Too luxurious. Looks like Toy Tundra with Benz badge. (note Cadillac truck, that didnt last long).
mhpr262
Just what we need when faced with global warning. Sometimes I think mankind deserves to die.