Mercedes-Benz X-Class can now be ordered in Europe
FRANKFURT – Around two months before its European market launch, the Mercedes among pickups will celebrate its public premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA). The IAA takes place from 14 to 24 September 2017 in Frankfurt.
The new X-Class unites the typical characteristics of a pickup with the classical strengths of a Mercedes: convincing robustness with modern design, impressive off-road capabilities with high driving dynamics and safety, sophisticated functionality and stylish comfort. The new performance pickup has a comfort suspension with a ladder-type frame, rear multi-link solid axle, front independent wheel suspension and coil springs at both axles.
On this platform it enters the market with different design and equipment lines, various drive variants, the largest choice of materials and colours in the segment and an extensive range of accessories developed by Mercedes-Benz which allow for further individualisation. The X-Class thus meets a wide variety of use cases – from a robust, off-road capable pickup to an urban lifestyle and family vehicle. The European market launch is scheduled for November 2017. At the beginning of 2018 South Africa, Australia and New Zealand will follow, and in early 2019 Argentina and Brazil. In Germany it is available at a price from ? 37,294 (incl. 19 percent VAT). The new X-Class can be ordered with immediate effect.
The X-Class has been specifically developed for the changing requirements of the international pickup markets. The demand for mid-size pickups with typical passenger car characteristics and comfort features has been steadily on the rise for years. At the same time, the proportion of pickups for private use is increasing. They are no longer viewed purely as “workhorses”. Mercedes-Benz is the first premium manufacturer to take these changes into account. The X-Class is aimed at very different customer groups: land-owners and farmers in Argentina, business owners such as building contractors in Australia, families with an affinity for premium products in Brazil, trend-conscious individuals in South Africa or Great Britain, as well as sporty adventurers in New Zealand.
Three design and equipment lines for different working and life styles
The pickup bearing the Mercedes star comes in three design and equipment variants for different working and life styles:
- The X-Class PURE basic variant is ideal for rugged, functional use. It fulfils all the demands on a “workhorse”. At the same time its comfort and design make it perfect for visiting customers or suppliers, and for private activities.
- The X-Class PROGRESSIVE is aimed at people seeking a rugged pickup with extra styling and comfort functions – as a “calling card” for their own business, while also being a comfortable yet prestigious vehicle for private use.
- The X-Class POWER is the high-end line. It is aimed at customers for whom styling, performance and comfort are paramount. As a lifestyle vehicle beyond the mainstream, it is suitable for urban environments as well as for sports and leisure activities off the beaten track. Its design and high level of equipment reflect an independent and individualistic lifestyle.
Dynamic silhouette with a brand characteristic SUV design
With its progressive, brand-typical design, the X-Class manages the fine balance between being both tough and stylish. The stretched body and the puristic, surface-accentuating design with stripped-down, extremely precise features draw attention to the basic virtues of a pickup in an emotionally appealing way – combined with almost unlimited functionality. The X-Class can haul a payload of up to 1.1 tonnes. That’s enough to transport 17 full 50-litre barrels of beer in the cargo area, for instance. Able to tow up to 3.5 tonnes, it can also pull a trailer containing three horses or an eight-metre yacht.
The front has the masterful looks of one of the brand’s typical SUVs – with the centrally positioned star, twin-louvre radiator grille, high and powerfully honed bonnet and headlamps extending far into the wings. The front apron emphasises width and has its own distinct character depending on the chosen design and equipment line. On the PURE basic variant it is unpainted and with the PROGRESSIVE design and equipment line it is painted in the vehicle colour. The POWER high-end model variant likewise has a bumper painted in the vehicle colour and also comes with a chromed underbody panelling. There are nine attractive exterior colours and a variety of exclusive 17, 18 or 19-inch rims to choose from across the three design and equipment lines.
Purist design for the rear end with bumper including step as standard
The rear bumper also varies depending on the selected design and equipment line: it is painted black for the PURE line and in the vehicle colour for the PROGRESSIVE line. The POWER line has a chromed bumper for a particularly classy look. For convenient access to the cargo area, the bumper has an integral step. If the standard 90-degree tailgate opening is not enough, the X-Class can be ordered without the rear bumper as an option. Then the tailgate opens to 180 degrees.
The load bed is designed in such a way that a Euro-pallet can be loaded straight between the wheel arches. The X-Class is the only mid-size pickup to be equipped with lighting in the cargo area as standard. The third brake light contains LED lights which illuminate the whole load bed. A 12-volt socket to power additional devices, such as compressors, is also part of the standard equipment of the load bed.
New benchmark in comfort and quality feel
In the interior, the X-Class elevates comfort and quality feel to a new level in the mid-size pickup segment. The instrument panel has the concave trim element typical of a Mercedes. It stretches across the entire width of the instrument panel – a novel feature in the segment. It creates an open feel and purist modernity. There are three trim variants to choose from for the X-Class POWER: a pixelated look in matt black, an aluminium effect with longitudinal grain and a brown matt woodgrain effect. To complement the high-quality feel, the upper section of the cockpit is available with ARTICO man-made leather in either black or nut brown. The characteristic round ventilation outlets add a sporty touch. Depending on the design and equipment line, these come in either high-gloss black or silver shadow, creating a high-end cool touch effect. With the PROGRESSIVE and POWER design and equipment lines, the centre console is also prominently framed by a decorative trim in silver shadow. The large door handles are also finished in silver shadow. The cool touch effect is reinforced by the freestanding central display, which is familiar from the V-Class.
The control and display concept shows the familiar high levels of convenience and ergonomic comfort. Well-proven systems from the Mercedes-Benz passenger car model series celebrate their premiere in the mid-size pickup segment: these include the multifunction touchpad on the centre console and fully integrated COMAND Online multimedia system with hard-disk navigation, LINGUATRONIC voice control and internet access via smartphone. In conjunction with COMAND Online the centre display has a screen diagonal of 8.4 inches, making it the largest display in the segment. With a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and the high-contrast IPS technology (In-Plane Switching), it offers a brilliant display that markedly increases the image quality of the 360-degree camera and the navigation maps. The well-proven Audio 20 USB and Audio 20 CD audio systems are also available. These come with a 7-inch media display.
The instrument cluster consists of the large, analogue round dials from the C-Class and V-Class. In the X-Class PROGRESSIVE and POWER they are tubular. A 5.4-inch colour multimedia display is nestled between the round dials. Thanks to the push-buttons on the standard-fit three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, the settings on the colour display can be controlled without drivers having to take their hands off the steering wheel. The steering wheel with its 12 buttons in total is height-adjustable, thereby improving ergonomic posture and allowing a relaxed seating position. In the X-Class PROGRESSIVE and POWER, the steering wheel, shift lever knob and handbrake lever are also covered in leather.
Widest selection of materials and colours in the segment
As well as various trim elements, there are six seat covers to choose from, including two leather variants with contrasting topstitching, and there are two colours for the roof liner as well. The X-Class thus provides the widest choice of materials and colours in the segment. The seats in the X-Class PURE are fitted with black Tunja fabric as standard. Black man-made leather is available as an option. The comfort seats in the PROGRESSIVE variant are covered in black posadas fabric. Familiar from the Mercedes-Benz passenger car model series, ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre in black is available if desired.
As standard, the X-Class POWER comes with ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre in black with additional contrasting topstitching in alpaca grey. Black leather with alpaca grey topstitching or nut brown leather with black topstitching are optionally available. The topstitching in a contrasting colour raises the aesthetic appeal of the seats even further. Exclusive topstitching also appears on the ARTICO man-made leather coverings on the upper section of the instrument panel, the armrests and the beltlines of the doors. This emphasises the premium effect of the interior as a whole. For the first time in the segment there are two variants of roof liner to choose from: macchiato beige fabric and black fabric. In the X-Class POWER, the A-pillar is also covered in fabric of the same colour.
Made-to-measure individualisation – Style packages and an extensive range of Mercedes-Benz accessories
Optional equipment as well as a specific Style Package for each of the PROGRESSIVE and POWER lines enable further individualisation. For example, side running boards and an electrically opening rear window can be added to the X-Class. What’s more, Mercedes-Benz had an in-house team of designers and developers create an extensive range of accessories. These allow the X-Class to be modified even more to suit personal tastes and requirements – in respect to design, functionality and off-road capability. For example, there is a choice of styling bar, side bar, soft tonneau cover, hard tonneau cover and roll cover, as well as a canopy which makes the pickup look like an SUV. The canopy continues the X-Class’s lines perfectly, merging with the vehicle body to create a distinctive silhouette. Other items available include a bed liner, a bed divider system, load-securing rails in the floor and a technical underguard.
High-torque, enjoyable performance with four and six cylinders
As from its market launch, there are two powerful and efficient four-cylinder engines to deliver spirited performance. The high-torque common-rail diesel drive system with a displacement of 2.3 litres is available with a choice of two power outputs. In the X 220 d with single turbocharger it generates 120 kW/163 hp and in the biturbo X 250 d no less than 140 kW/190 hp. Both diesel models are available as left- or right-hand drive vehicles with purely rear wheel drive or with engageable all-wheel drive. All engines are characterised by quiet, low-vibration running and excellent power delivery coupled with low consumption figures. Power is transferred via a six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed automatic transmission is available on request for the 140 kW/190 hp X 250 d and X 250 d 4MATIC models.
A high-torque V6 diesel engine will be released mid-2018, ensuring even greater agility on- and off-road. It will generate 190 kW/258 hp and a maximum torque of 550 Nm. This gives the X 350 d 4MATIC the leading position in the segment. The top X-Class model will come as standard with permanent 4MATIC all-wheel drive and the seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC PLUS with steering-wheel shift paddles and ECO start/stop function. The DYNAMIC SELECT system is available in addition. To date, the inclusion of a drive program switch has been rare in the pickup segment. This technology enables the driving experience to be tailored to individual preferences – from relaxed comfort to engaged sportiness. There are five drive programs to choose from: Comfort, ECO, Sport, Manual and Offroad. These modify the engine characteristics, the automatic transmission’s switching points and the ECO start/stop function.The Mercedes-Benz X-Class is certified as a commercial vehicle (N1).
Dynamic and comfortable driving enjoyment on a par with Mercedes-Benz passenger cars
The X-Class is the first pickup to deliver both excellent off- and on-road performance. The wide track, long wheelbase and comfortable spring and damping tuning typical of a Mercedes open up a new world of driving enjoyment and driving dynamics on the road – without resulting in compromises when off-road. A special feature in the segment: coil springs are used both at the front and the rear, which contributes to a harmonious suspension comfort. The comfort suspension is designed in such a way that it achieves a high level of driving dynamics and ride comfort on the road, while also delivering maximum off-road capability in conjunction with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The elaborately designed comfort suspension consists of a double wishbone front axle and a rear multi-link solid axle that is ideal for transporting heavy loads and has good articulation capability. This combination ensures that the suspension is comfortable and the handling is safe given any permitted load condition.
With 1632 millimetres at the front and 1625 millimetres at the rear, the X-Class has a wider track than most competitors. This provides the ideal prerequisites for optimum driving stability and higher cornering speeds. At 3150 millimetres, the wheelbase is also longer than many other mid-size pickups. This reduces vibrations during the journey and makes for smooth and reliable straight-running stability. Mercedes-Benz is the only manufacturer in the segment to opt for large, internally vented brake discs on both axles as standard. The front axle has brake discs with a diameter of 32 centimetres and the rear axle with a diameter of 30.8 centimetres. Together they ensure short braking distances, good response times and high thermal capacity.
The comfort suspension is part of the standard equipment in all European markets. Its ground clearance is 202 millimetres. A 20-millimetre higher suspension is available as an optional extra. The safe and comfortable handling typical of Mercedes-Benz is retained for the higher suspension. In all markets outside Europe, the X-Class comes with the higher suspension as standard.
Engageable or permanent – 4MATIC all-wheel drive for any surface
Engageable 4MATIC all-wheel drive, which is available for the X 220 d 4MATIC and X 250 d 4MATIC models, masters any terrain. With it, the front wheels can be engaged or disengaged by electric means depending on the surface. As from mid-2018 Mercedes-Benz will also make its pickup available with permanent all-wheel drive. This will ensure that the X-Class delivers maximum performance and traction, even at top speed on roads. The permanent 4MATIC all-wheel drive system will only be offered in conjunction with the six-cylinder engine. Off-road, both 4MATIC variants benefit from the same superior assertiveness thanks to the low-range gearing and optional differential lock on the rear axle. All the all-wheel drive models come with Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) on board as standard.
Comprehensive range of safety equipment
Like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the X-Class stands out for its exemplary level of safety. The pickup bearing the star comes with a comprehensive array of comfort and safety equipment that is exceptional in the segment. The X-Class’s high level of occupant protection results from its particularly robust bodyshell with its high-strength passenger cell, plus a structure with a front and rear section that can absorb energy through well-aimed deformation. Furthermore, passive safety is provided thanks to standard equipment such as seven airbags and the i-Size attachment system for two child seats. The airbags in the front for driver and front passenger come with a two-stage, deferred triggering mechanism.
With Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Assist, three driver assistance systems are at the ready that simultaneously increase active safety and comfort. Additionally there is Trailer Stability Assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system and an emergency call system, cruise control, as well as LED headlamps that deliver the brightest light output in the segment thanks to six LEDs respectively. If required, a 360-degree camera is available in addition to a reversing camera. Given this extensive level of equipment, the X-Class perfectly fulfils the requirements placed on a modern family and lifestyle vehicle.
The first intelligently connected mid-size pickup – including Live Traffic Information
The X-Class is the first mid-size pickup to feature a communications module with an integrated SIM card. This makes it possible to use the extensive Mercedes me connect services, and to access the vehicle by smartphone. Thus X-Class owners in 21 European markets can, for example, find out their X-Class’s location when it is parked or being driven by someone else. In addition, complete door-to-door navigation is possible with the Mercedes me app. Further Mercedes me connect services include the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system and the standard services Breakdown Management, Accident Recovery and Maintenance Management.
Another highlight of the intelligent networking is the transmission of traffic information in real time. In conjunction with a Mercedes me account, and within Europe, the COMAND Online navigation system can show the beginning and length of a traffic jam on a map to within 100 metres of the exact position, and compute a dynamic route with shorter travel times. The potential loss of time is taken into account automatically in real time for the arrival time displayed by COMAND Online navigation. The system also provides a 3D view with three-dimensional urban models, making orientation in unfamiliar city centres easier. Moreover, special personal destinations can be saved or imported via SD card, and four alternate routes can be displayed on the navigation map, one of them a particularly economical variation.
In conjunction with the optional Garmin® MAP PILOT system, in most European countries the Audio 20 CD also becomes a fully-fledged navigation system with Live Traffic Information. With both systems, X-Class drivers benefit from early information about disturbances such as traffic jams, increased traffic volumes or other possible delays along the route, allowing them to adjust their route planning in good time. The relevant pre-installation for the Garmin® MAP PILOT is likewise available as an option.
Via: Mercedes-Benz South Africa