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ACROSS THE TRADES Summer 2017
M
ercedes-Benz has unveiled
the production version of its
first-ever ute, the X-Class,
ahead of its arrival in Australian
showrooms early next year.
Available as a dual cab only for
the time being, the X-Class – which
is based on the Nissan Navara – will
launch with a 2.3L four-cylinder turbo-
diesel engine in two states of tune,
and will follow up with a flagship V6
diesel around the middle of the year.
The vehicle will be offered in three
model variants – Pure, at the entry
level, which will be aimed specifically
at tradespeople looking for a more
functional ute without loading up too
heavily on equipment; Progressive,
which will have extra styling
flourishes and ‘comfort’ features; and
Power, which will come with all the
bells and whistles.
There are no plans for a single or
extra cab body style, but the rear end
of the dual cab will at least have the
option of cab chassis or the tub you
see in the picture.
At the entry level, the X220d 2.3L
single-turbo diesel produces 120kW
of power and 403Nm of torque while
the higher-output twin-turbocharged
X250d delivers 140kW/450Nm. Both
of these engine outputs are identical
to Navara, although only a six-speed
manual gearbox will be available on
the X220d.
Both four-cylinder variants will be
available with a 4x2 or conventional
part-time 4x4 driveline, along with a
diff lock, hill-descent control and low-
range gearing.
Standing the X-Class apart from
Navara, the X350d V6 diesel is a
190kW/550Nm 3L unit that takes the
Benz ute to the top of the market in
terms of power – its closest rival is the
165kW/550Nm Volkswagen Amarok
V6 – and combines with a 7G-Tronic
Plus seven-speed automatic gearbox
and Mercedes’ 4Matic permanent
four-wheel drive system.
The transmission has steering-
mounted shift paddles, a fuel-saving
‘Eco’ start/stop function and a
‘Dynamic Select’ system that allows
the driver to shift between various
modes that modify the engine
characteristics and transmission
shift points (Comfort, Eco, Sport,
Manual and Offroad).
Mercedes will also offer a 122kW
4x2 petrol model – dubbed X200 – for
select left-hand-drive markets.
Payload is around the one-tonne
mark for all variants, while maximum
braked towing capacity is 3,200kg for
the 4x2 variants and 3,500kg for the
4x4s, including the V6.
The tray can hold a Euro-spec pallet
between the wheel arches, while
this area also contains a 12V socket
and an LED light that illuminates the
entire load bed (operated by a switch
in the centre console).
MERCEDES-BENZ LAUNCHES
FIRST X-CLASS UTE
TRANSPORT
with Terry Martin