018 Mercedes X-Class Pickup Debuts With 190HP, Off-Road Chops It's the upscale pickup you never knew you needed

2018 Mercedes X-Class Pickup Specs and Review

With the debut of the X-Class concept last October, we knew it was only a matter of time before Mercedes-Benz unveiled the production version in its entirety. And now it\’s finally here. With a more subtle design, a range of gasoline and diesel engine options and a proven chassis, the X class could be an immediate hit from the start … assuming buyers are willing to pay the premium.

Below this more upmarket skin is the same platform that underlies Nissan Navara and upcoming Renault Alaskan. The truck will be built as part of a joint development program between Nissan and Mercedes, and apart from obvious rebadging and some minor exterior adjustments, Mercedes promises to see great improvements compared to its busiest siblings.

018 Mercedes X-Class Pickup Debuts With 190HP, Off-Road Chops It's the upscale pickup you never knew you needed

Much of the exterior is borrowed from other vehicles in the Mercedes range. The front fascia, especially the grid, draws a number of distinctive similarities with the GLS SUV. Some additional accessories can be made outdoors, including features like a side step, a “styling bar”, and even a choice of bed cover.

In the cabin, many of the same Mercedes design elements pass. A standard 5.4-inch or optional 8.4-inch infotainment screen is located at the center and front, while equipment such as power seats with lumbar support, Bluetooth connection, multifunction steering wheel Three spokes and rear seats with enough room for three passengers are offered. Leather seats can be provided for an additional charge.

018 Mercedes X-Class Pickup Debuts With 190HP, Off-Road Chops It's the upscale pickup you never knew you needed

X Class is 210 inches long and 75.6 inches wide with a wheelbase of 124 inches (3.15 meters). The maximum payload is 2,297 pounds (1,042 kilograms) and the ground clearance is 202 mm (7.95 inches). Class X has a competitive approach angle of 20.4 degrees, leading rivals such as Chevy Colorado (17.6 degrees) and Honda Ridgeline (20.1 degrees).

At launch, the X class will be available with three engine options. A diesel engine, available in X220d or X250d versions, will produce 163 hp (120 kW) and 190 hp (140 kW) respectively. A comparable gas engine will produce 165 hp (122 kW). Both will be coupled to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission.

A more powerful X350d option will be available in the middle of 2018 with torque of 250 kW (190 kW) and 405 lb-ft (550 Newton-meters). Mercedes says that when its more powerful model is introduced, it will be the “leader of the segment” and includes five different driving options: Comfort, Eco, Sport, Manual and Off-Road.

018 Mercedes X-Class Pickup Debuts With 190HP, Off-Road Chops It's the upscale pickup you never knew you needed

At launch, the X-Class base will be equipped with a 4MATIC all-wheel drive system available with a rear locking differential and a low-speed gear. The company says a more permanent wheel drive system will be introduced next year for even more off-road opportunities, first on the X350d.

The new Mercedes-Benz X-Class will be available in Germany from November with an asking price of € 37,294 including VAT (around $ 43,111). The pickup will start in markets like South Africa and Australia in early 2018, and Argentina and Brazil in early 2019. For now, Mercedes does not intend to bring the class back X in the United States.

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