The all-new, Nissan-Navara-with-different-panels Mercedes-Benz X-Class has officially arrived in Australia, bringing Mercedes flavour to a Japanese ute, built in Spain.
Mercedes-Benz Vans is handling the job of selling the new model and is initially offering it in two variant levels; the X 220 d and the X 250 d. Both use a Nissan 2.3-litre turbo-diesel, with the 250 getting an additional turbo. Outputs are unchanged from the donor vehicle, at 120kW/403Nm and 140kW/450Nm, respectively.
The local arm says the X-Class is off to a promising start, with 8000 punters apparently already registered their interest, “with some leaving deposits”. In a recent statement, Mercedes claims the X-Class is considered “one of the biggest vehicle launches” of the year.
Even though it is heavily based on the trusty Nissan Navara, the X-Class gets a bespoke nose with the company’s three-pointed star nestled proudly into a twin-tier grille. There’s also unique headlights and bumper bars, and different wheels. The door skins and roof are pretty much identical.
Inside, passengers are greeted with a modern Mercedes decor, with circular air vents, a dash-top tablet-style media screen, and various luxuries such as climate control, cruise control, and auto headlights and wipers, depending on the variant.
Being a Merc, there are of course plenty of options to choose from. Depending on the variant, there’s Garmin-based sat-nav, a leatherette trim package, digital radio, and alloy wheels in various sizes. All-wheel drive is fitted to most as standard, with diff locks to help when off-roading.
Later in the year Mercedes will be launching a V6 powertrain option, consisting of a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel producing 190kW and 550Nm. It’ll be available with a seven-speed automatic transmission only. Interestingly, this means Nissan could theoretically offer a V6 version of the Navara, depending on how friendly the partnership is between the two companies.
The new model is on sale now from the following prices (excluding on-road costs):
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 220 d Pure Cab Chassis RWD manual – $45,490
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 220 d Pure Load Bed RWD manual – $46,400
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 220 d Pure Load Bed 4MATIC manual – $50,400
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Pure 4MATIC Cab Chassis manual – $51,450
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Pure 4MATIC Cab Chassis auto – $54,350
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Pure 4MATIC Load Bed manual – $52,400
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Pure 4MATIC Load Bed auto – $55,300
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Progression 4MATIC Cab Chassis manual – $53,950
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Progression 4MATIC Cab Chassis auto – $56,850
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Progression 4MATIC Load Bed manual – $54,900
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Progression 4MATIC Load Bed auto – $57,800
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Power 4MATIC Load Bed manual – $61,600
2018 Mercedes-Benz X 250 d Power 4MATIC Load Bed auto – $64,500
