The most expensive mid-size utility on the Australian new-vehicle market has arrived in the form of the Mercedes-Benz Edition 1 X350d 4Matic, priced from $87,500 plus on-road costs.

Mercedes often heralds its new models with a limited-run ‘Edition 1’ variant from the factory, but this dark and brooding flagship version of the V6-powered X-Class dual cab ute is shipped here in top-spec X350d ‘Power’ form (retailing from $79,415) and then modified with a host of exclusive black design features and accessory parts that turn it into the special edition.

There is no number limit at this stage for the Edition 1, and it is expected to run for about 12 months, adding an exclamation mark to the German prestige marque’s X-Class ute range that otherwise spans 15 permanent variants across both four- and six-cylinder diesel powertrains, 4×2 and 4×4 drivelines, manual and auto gearboxes, and pick-up and cab-chassis rear ends – all with a dual cab body at this stage.

The V6 is a purely pick-up affair with a permanent four-wheel drive system (with low range reduction gear), 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission and a 3.0L engine developing 190kW of power and 550Nm of torque.

Available in black, white or grey body colours, the Edition 1 has an array of black elements that are designed to give it a menacing edge. These are found on the centrally positioned star badge and twin-louvre grille, front and rear bumper valance, fog light surrounds, side door handles, rear tailgate handle, nomenclature badges, beltline trim strip, roof rails and, perhaps most noticeably, the 19” six-twin-spoke alloy wheels.

Not stopping there, Mercedes has also added sports stripes on the bonnet, wing mirrors, V6 badge surrounds, lower side lines and rear tailgate, while a black sports bar and tubular side steps are also noted.

All the exterior parts and stripes have a high-gloss finish when the body colour is ‘kabara’ black, while matte-black paint is applied for those utes in ‘bering’ white and ‘rock’ grey. The bed lining and hard tonneau cover are matched to the exterior colour.

The interior carries Edition 1 decals and unique floor mats but otherwise sticks with the standard trim in the X350d Power, which has loads of creature comforts and safety equipment to help justify the top-end pricetag.