Mercedes-Benz has presented its inaugural X-Class mid-size one-tonne utility in near-production concept form as the prestige German manufacturer tools up in partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance ahead of an Australian launch in 2018.

Australia is specified as a key market for the Spanish-built X-Class, along with Europe, Latin America and South Africa, and the concept unveiled recently in Sweden – presented in two different variants/themes – came with plenty of preliminary detail on the highly anticipated production version.

Based on the current NP300 Nissan Navara, the X-Class will be a dual cab model only – no single or extended cabs are planned – but will be offered with a broad range of powertrains, manual and automatic transmission, and 4×2 and 4×4 drivelines that will ensure it not only caters for its traditional luxury vehicle clientele but remains competitive against high-end versions of volume-selling mainstream utes such as the Navara, Toyota’s market-leading HiLux, the Australian-developed Ford Ranger and the Volkswagen Amarok.

Indeed, Ranger, HiLux and Amarok were the three utes cited as benchmarks for Mercedes in developing the X-Class, which will be offered with two Renault-Nissan four-cylinder engines – one diesel and one petrol, with details still under wraps – while at the top end a Daimler-sourced V6 turbo-diesel paired with the 4Matic permanent four-wheel-drive system will be offered.

The 4WD system will combine with electronic traction control, a transfer case with low-range reduction, and centre and rear differential locks.

Mercedes senior management have confirmed the X-Class concepts unveiled in Stockholm are not that far from the final version, although the more conservatively styled example – dubbed ‘Stylish Explorer’ – is expected to be more representative of the production model than the more aggressive ‘Powerful Adventurer’.

The latter stands 1.9m tall, has a huge ground clearance, Silverstone Xtreme all-terrain tyres, front electric winch, rear metal hook and extra undercarriage protection to name a few talking points and potential options once the X-Class reaches production.

As the white metallic ‘Stylish Explorer’ version demonstrates, Mercedes’ designers have clearly borrowed from SUVs such as the GLA and GLC in sculpting the front end of the X-Class, rather than drawing on traditional commercial vehicle themes.

Both concepts have a striking continuous LED light strip in a slim chrome surround on the tailgate, which Mercedes says “points to the unique character of the future pick-up” – so expect this to be carried over to production.

According to the manufacturer, the interior is also close to what we will see in the production version, notwithstanding the different trim levels and model grades to be offered.

Count on high-quality details, advanced connectivity and infotainment technology, and a strong emphasis on safety features including driver assistance systems based on cameras, radar and ultrasound sensors.

These are all hallmarks of the broader Mercedes range that the company promises have not been watered down with its reliance on the Nissan Navara as the donor vehicle.

That said, the tough ladder-frame chassis in conjunction with the powertrains on offer will make for a payload of more than 1.1t and a towing capacity of up to 3500kg possible.

One of the key customer groups identified by Mercedes in the Australian market comprises “business owners such as building contractors, architects and service providers who want to use their pick-up for commercial and private purposes”.

As such, it describes the X-Class as “a comfortable company car for customer meetings, which is equally perfect for transporting customers and employees as well as tools and building materials, as an ‘everyday vehicle’ and as a vehicle for weekend activities”.