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Mercedes-Benz dealers expect the brand’s first X-Class pickup to appeal to lifestyle and business customers when it arrives in showrooms in January 2018. The brand is claiming the vehicle as the first pick-up from a premium manufacturer.
Prices for the X-Class will start from £27,310 (plus VAT) for the entry-level Pure, through £28,510 for the mid-range Progressive and £34,100 for the top-level Power model.
The newcomer is expected to attract interest from those who run a pickup as a lifestyle choice – they are likely to be attracted both by the Mercedes badge and the fact that the X-Class is only being offered as a double-cab model.
However dealers will also be hoping for interest from business users looking for a workhorse, and will be heavily promoting the X-Class specification that includes selectable all-wheel-drive and a low-range gearbox. Further capability can be found on the options list with a differential lock available at £495 and ground clearance increased by 20mm for £220.
The three trim levels are intended to reflect the likely customer base – intended for workhorse buyers the X 220 d Pure will be trimmed for robustness and supplied on 17-inch steel wheels as standard. It is powered by a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel of 163bhp, put through a six-speed manual gearbox.
Mid-range Progressive models will be available with either the 163bhp manual powertrain or for an extra £2,000 as a X 250 d model with 190hp and matched to a seven-speed auto transmission. Styling upgrades, heated mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels all feature.
The top-range Power grade is aimed fairly at the lifestyle market. It only comes in X 250 d form and gains further styling upgrades, as well as LED front and rear lights, keyless entry and start, folding mirrors, electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The X-class is also expected to impress for its standard safety package, which includes autonomous emergency braking amongst a suite of driver aids. Lane-keeping and hill-start assist, traffic sign recognition and a reversing camera also feature, as does the Mercedes me Connect emergency and breakdown service.
The Connect service forms part of the standard infotainment package, also including Bluetooth and a DAB radio. A seven-inch touchscreen controls the system while Progressive and Power models also get steering wheel controls.
Options include Garmin Map Pilot navigation for £405, or the full Mercedes Connect Online system for £1470, along with seven packages targeted at different types of users. These range from extra styling to parking sensors and a 360-degree camera and a winter package with heated seats and windscreen washer jets.
The Mercedes X-Class will be expanded in 2018 when a V6-powered X 350 d model joins the line-up.
