Words by Yash Sunil
Mercedes Benz has tried its hand in almost all kinds of vehicles like the small A-Class to flagships like the S-Class and GLS SUV. Despite such a wide range of cars in their portfolio, Mercedes was yet to make a pickup truck in mass production but that’s all about to change with their latest concept, the X-Class. This out-and-out premium luxury pickup is primarily designed for the Australian, Latin American and South African market and will come in two distinct styles called ‘Powerful Adventurer’ and the ‘Stylish Explorer’.
Marketing titles aside, as the names suggest, the adventurer is a bit more on the rugged side with off-road tyres, a winch, noticeably higher ground clearance and plastic cladding all-round. Under all that beautifully carved and shaped bodywork lies a V6 diesel engine with the AWD system and will come with an electronic traction control system, a transfer box with reduction gear and two differential locks. This pickup is said to have a 1.1 ton payload capacity and has a towing capacity of 3.5 tons and also has independent rear suspension, coil springs and adjustable dampers to alter the pickup’s driving characteristics.
The Explorer, Mercedes believes is for customers who are looking for something more than just a rugged and bare to the bone pickup truck. Some customers need a car with presence that they can use daily and still be in a vehicle that is as luxurious as a premium sedan. The Explorer is the more road-biased version with a simpler front end, none of the hardcore off-road kit like knobbies or a winch and gets 22-inch light-alloy rims with low profile tyres. In the back there’s an LED illuminated taillight which runs completely around the tailgate. The interiors carry the premium SUV theme with high-quality materials and an infotainment system. The upholstery seems very premium and well appointed too. The pickup can carry 5 people in complete luxury.
Now before everyone starts getting all excited, there’s still some time for them to get to production. Mercedes-Benz says they will go on sale in late 2017. It isn’t their first pickup though Remember the G63 6×6 that was built for a select few set of customers? This one however will mass produced, and not by Mercedes. The vast experience of the Renault-Nissan alliance and specifically Nissan in building pickups comes to good use here with the Alliance’s strategic tie up with Mercedes for the X-Class. The X-Class will be built on the Nissan Navara and Renault Alaskan platform and will also share parts and technical know-how with the Renault-Nissan Alliance.