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World premiere for a concept. Great train station in the archipelagos in Sweden. Which probably makes sense in a way, because the Swedes can do stones and trees - and stones and trees seem just enough rustic and “down to earth” to present a pickup truck. Not just any – the Mercedes of pick-ups. Raise the curtain on a very delicate one among the tough ones: the premium pick-up from Stuttgart!
Mercedes-Benz X-Class Concept
No matter whether GLT, GLX or X-Class, what Mercedes presented near Stockholm is one of the things that nobody actually needs anymore. But probably half of those present would have taken it straight away because it triggers that “I want it” feeling. No matter how pointless it may be. A premium pickup class? Honestly. A fantasy of marketing school dropouts, right? Or not. Just a logical consequence. Everyone has SUVs. Everyone wants it. And the pickup? He is currently losing his shirt-sleeved image and is turning into a lifestyle buddy. Like the station wagon, almost 40 years ago. Of course, this leaves you with a few questions. I answer ten of them in this article!
1.) Does this monster really need it?
No. Or is it? The fact is: There are markets where these pick-up vehicles sell incredibly well. South America, Australia, Russia and also the USA. But so far there is no real trend towards premium pick-ups. Mercedes-Benz wants to change that and, with the X-Class, establish an offering that will awaken new needs. The premiere of the two variants in Stockholm provided a foretaste of this. Both the “golden” and the pearly white ones have attracted attention. And yes, when it comes to design we are still talking about concept status, but the direction is clear. Masculine or elegant. Off-road or urban. Hot or cool – and no, we won’t say a word about “sensual clarity” at this point. Others are already doing this enough. Of course, a pick-up truck is not the answer to the questions of modern mobility in highly concentrated urban living environments - but not everyone asks that question. There are markets where you need more than one electric smart. And Mercedes-Benz sees itself in the role of being able to provide all the answers. Even if the question has not yet been asked.
2.) Which engines will come?
Mercedes will pack the well-known V6 Diesel in the pick-up. This guarantees reliable technology, enough pressure and acceptable consumption. The fact that it extends the life cycle of the V6 engines a little bit, in the Controlling should be well received. Because it is clear: Mercedes-Benz is just on the threshold of a new generation of engines.
In addition to the 250 + PS strong diesel, there will also be the 2.3 liter Nissan diesel engine. So as an introduction to the premium pick-up class. Priced more attractive, but contradictory to the idea of the premium pick-up, right?
3.) Can the vice also load, or what?
Yes. Up to 1.2 tons of payload should be able to fit on the platform. These are target values and because Mercedes-Benz relies on an independent suspension on the rear axle, the V6 diesel could end up closer to 1.05 tons. We'll have to wait and see. At the premiere, however, Mercedes-Benz never tired of emphasizing how seriously it was taking the entry. And even if you want to create a new segment, a premium pick-up must also meet the performance values of the mid-size pick-up class. Even without a rustic rigid axle. Let’s wait and see – probably only Rotwild mountain bikes, surfboards and the occasional Billy shelf will end up in the back of the “X-Class”.
4.) How seriously do you take the all-wheel technology?
Serious. At least the V6 diesel variant will come with an all-wheel drive drivetrain from Mercedes-Benz. Two differential locks and a reduction gear included. And with a permanent 4matic all-wheel drive. But - yes - there will also be an “entry-level variant” with an all-wheel drive system from the cooperation partner, in which the rear axle is primarily driven.
5.) Does the Daimler have a competitor?
According to Daimler, the segment is being reinvented. Which is only half the truth, of course. On Volkswagen Amarok with V6 diesel will be in the same price range and should address the same target group. Otherwise, the new X-Class is quite a combination that one otherwise does not know.
The interior of the concept also shows the direction well. A mix of V and C class. A touch of E-Class and an appearance that is well above the usual pick-up experience.
6.) What about the safety of the pick-up?
Of course, Mercedes-Benz doesn't miss the opportunity to cram everything on board that they have in their drawers. The safety and assistance systems will be based on the new E-Class. Spacers, blind spot warnings and whatever these things are called. The question of crash safety will make you hold your breath for a moment, because the basis for the GLT / GLX / “the X-Class”, the Nissan Navara, only has 4 stars in the EuroNCAP crash test. And 4 stars for a Daimler? The CITAN had already embarrassed themselves - I'm curious to see how they proceed here!
7.) Are they doing that just because of the Americans?
Pickup = America. No. Funnily enough, when you think of pick-ups, the US market immediately comes to mind. And yes, in the USA pick-ups are something like the VW Beetle was here after the war. But: In the USA you buy “full-size trucks”. They then have a payload of 3.5 tons and are in a different class. Much more rustic. Significantly cheaper. Mercedes-Benz does not (currently) want to enter this segment. So: No – the GLT / GLX / “the X-Class” is not built because of the Americans or for the Americans. The target markets are Australia, Russia and South America. The pick-up will also be manufactured in the Nissan factories in Barcelona and Argentina.
8.) Will there be an AMG variant?
If you look at the mother of pearl white lacquered, then you can smell the AMG badge already formally. A variant with 4.0 liter V8 Bi-Turbo and 500 PS? Yes why not.
9.) How Expensive Will This Pick-Up Be?
Of course, Mercedes-Benz hasn't announced any prices yet. It's still a concept. But. If we take the Volkswagen Amarok as a guide, then I would expect a starting price of €42.205,50 for the “small” Nissan diesel – and just under €60.000 for the V6 diesel with a Mercedes drive train.
10.) And what is Nissan doing now? And why?
Boo! Just a “re-badged” Nissan. That's not a Mercedes at all. That was my fear too - and yes, the pure Nissan world was to be found among the concept vehicles in Stockholm. But I think Mercedes-Benz is aware of what it means to incorporate the word premium into the product. And there seems to have been a lot more effort put into the technical topics than with the CITAN project. Your own axles, your own motors, your own gearboxes, your own electronics, your own safety and assistance systems. And a significantly changed sheet metal skin. For example, the surface of the doors has been changed. Not the shape, which remains true to the donor chassis, but the sheet metal skin that you can see. In principle, you save yourself having to develop your own lead frames. You take Nissan's modern platform and then adapt the elements that influence the driving experience and perception.
This saves costs and allows entry into a new segment with a manageable cost risk. But is it a risk?