Mercedes-Benz sees a hole for a premium entry in the midsize pickup segment throughout most of the world, and the Concept X-Class is the brand’s idea for combining traditional truck utility with some of the company’s luxury legacy. The German automaker is now debuting two visions of the model in Stockholm, Sweden. One of them highlights the vehicle’s style, and the other shows its off-road capability. The production version will be on sale in Europe by the end of 2017.
Mercedes keeps the technical details fairly light, but we know the underpinnings come from the Nissan Navara. These concepts use a diesel V6 with 4Matic all-wheel drive, an off-road ratio transfer case, and differential locks for both axles. The company claims the truck can carry a payload 2,430 pounds (1.1 metric tons) in the bed and tow 7,720 pounds (3.5 metric tons). As a vehicle that also needs to work for families, safety is a big deal, and Mercedes installs an array of sensors for enabling the latest driver assistance systems.
The Concept X-Class is supposed to be a stylish truck that a worker could use on the job but still have no problem hauling the family. As such, the design blends characteristics from Mercedes’ luxury vehicles and from traditional pickups. The front end is smooth and wouldn’t look too out of place on one of the brand’s crossovers. Muscular fenders communicate the model isn’t too soft, though. Inside, these concepts use high-end materials like Nappa leather, wood veneers, and polished aluminum. The infotainment system sits high on the center stack, and there’s a multi-function touchpad on the console for controlling it.
Mercedes is partnering with the Renault-Nissan Alliance for building the production version of the X-Class. Nissan’s factory in Barcelona, Spain, will build the examples for Europe, Australia, and South Africa. In 2018, the Renault plant in Cordoba, Argentina, will start producing the trucks for Latin American markets. Mercedes won’t sell the X-Class in the United States.
Mercedes keeps the technical details fairly light, but we know the underpinnings come from the Nissan Navara. These concepts use a diesel V6 with 4Matic all-wheel drive, an off-road ratio transfer case, and differential locks for both axles. The company claims the truck can carry a payload 2,430 pounds (1.1 metric tons) in the bed and tow 7,720 pounds (3.5 metric tons). As a vehicle that also needs to work for families, safety is a big deal, and Mercedes installs an array of sensors for enabling the latest driver assistance systems.
The Concept X-Class is supposed to be a stylish truck that a worker could use on the job but still have no problem hauling the family. As such, the design blends characteristics from Mercedes’ luxury vehicles and from traditional pickups. The front end is smooth and wouldn’t look too out of place on one of the brand’s crossovers. Muscular fenders communicate the model isn’t too soft, though. Inside, these concepts use high-end materials like Nappa leather, wood veneers, and polished aluminum. The infotainment system sits high on the center stack, and there’s a multi-function touchpad on the console for controlling it.
Mercedes is partnering with the Renault-Nissan Alliance for building the production version of the X-Class. Nissan’s factory in Barcelona, Spain, will build the examples for Europe, Australia, and South Africa. In 2018, the Renault plant in Cordoba, Argentina, will start producing the trucks for Latin American markets. Mercedes won’t sell the X-Class in the United States.
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