For fans of powerful dual-cab pickup utes, this year’s Geneva Motor Show will see the debut of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz X 350 d 4MATIC. It’s the most powerful vehicle in the diesel class.
After debuting mid last year, with initial Australian pricing announced just months ago for the four-cylinder X 250 d, photos and details of the range-topping V6 turbo-diesel model are finally here and they do not disappoint.
The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine develops 190kW of power and 550Nm of torque. In terms of output, this exceeds the current diesel titleholder, the VW Amarok V6 by 10kW. According to Mercedes-Benz, that’s good enough for a 0-100km/h dash of 7.9 seconds and a 250km/h top speed.
The only available transmission is the 7GTRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic, with paddle shifters and start-stop. The 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system has a 40:60 front:rear torque split in normal conditions, but engaging ‘4H’ mode locks it to 50:50, with a low-range ‘4L’ mode for crawling duties. A rear diff lock is also standard.
Aesthetically, there are three new alloy wheel designs, a sailplane-style sports bar as well as available roller tonneau or soft black cover. After the four-cylinder variants debuting in April, expect the X 350 d to land in Australia later in the year, possibly in the third or fourth quarter. Australian pricing is yet to be announced.
Are you excited about Mercedes-Benz’s new six-cylinder dual-cab ute? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
