Previous Page  100 / 116 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 100 / 116 Next Page
Page Background

1 0 0

E L E C T R I C A L CO N N E C T I O N

A U T UMN 2 0 17

M

ercedes-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 4x2 and 4x4 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 too 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”.

Mercedes-Benz

www.mercedes-benz.com.au

MERCEDES-BENZ X-CLASS