X-Class Mercedes-Benz X-Class Pickup Concept

[maragulon]

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Reference thread:

Press Release Thread 'Mercedes Benz to build midsize pickup by end of Decade'

Mar 27, 2015

Get ready for the Mercedes-Benz among pickups: Mercedes-Benz Vans to launch midsize pickup

• Expansion of product range for sustained global growth

• Market for midsize pickups primed for first model from a premium manufacturer

• Mercedes-Benz to enter the high-volume midsize segment before end of decade

• Main markets: Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and Europe

Stuttgart – Before the end of the decade, Mercedes-Benz will expand its product range into a promising segment by launching...

• phaeton
• mercedes-benz mercedes-benz pickup pickup
• Replies: 151
• Forum: Mercedes-Benz

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Mercedes-Benz has finally pulled the wraps off its mid-size pickup truck, the long-rumored and finally unveiled X-Class.

The X-Class still is a concept at this point, but it's a concept in that wink-wink nudge-nudge sort of fashion. The final version should arrive at an upcoming auto show before hitting showrooms late in 2017. Well, not U.S. showrooms, of course, as we're not going to get the Benz pickup.

We've seen the spy shots of what we assumed would be called either the GLT or possibly the X-Class. It's built upon the bones of the latest Nissan NP300 Navara pickup, which is a body-on-frame truck. This truck also exists in rebadged form as the Renault Alaskan.

Both the Navara and Alaskan are built in Nissan's plant in Spain. The Mercedes version will travel those same production lines. Another plant in Argentina also builds the trucks.

Mercedes plans to sell the X-Class in South America, Europe, and Australia, initially.

The truck was unveiled at an art gallery in Stockholm, where Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche said he loves trucks and hates blank spots in the automaker's lineup.

Mercedes wants to make sure its truck blends the luxury and style it's known for, with the tough requirements asked of any pickup truck. The mid-size truck market is one that Benz finds attractive, as it predicts a rise to 2,800,000 vehicles sold in just a few years' time. People who might buy the X-Class? Not the hardcore everyday users as much as city dwellers that want to bring more of their stuff on adventure weekends.

The X-Class is powered by a turbocharged V-6 diesel engine and features a dual-cab body. There's a live rear-axle out back with spring dampers, which is said to help on and off-road driving comfort. The concept version packs a winch, blacked-out wheels, and a paint scheme borrowed from Mercedes' long-ago electric SLS AMG.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...with-new-x-class-pickup-truck#image=100578721

 

[SDNR]

It will be fascinating to see if Mercedes can really pull this off in America. It will require some mental gymnastics for many American Pickup buyers .....Mercedes is popularly perceived in the USA as a very bourgeois brand; hardly the blue collar image of the classic American Pickup.

Is this Mercedes simply the 'Ralph Lauren' Jeans of Pickups?


Why don't they just offer a factory-built version of the G class as a Pickup ......a no brainer.

 

[Serpens]

It will be fascinating to see if Mercedes can really pull this off in America. It will require some mental gymnastics for many American Pickup buyers .....Mercedes is popularly perceived in the USA as a very bourgeois brand; hardly the blue collar image of the classic American Pickup.

You're aware they're still debating bringing it to the U.S. right? Just checking...your post made it sound like it was a done deal.

 

[SDNR]

You're aware they're still debating bringing it to the U.S. right? Just checking...your post made it sound like it was a done deal.

Yeah, I read that.
I still expect this will be sold (and even built) in the USA eventually.

 

[KiwiRob]

It will be fascinating to see if Mercedes can really pull this off in America. It will require some mental gymnastics for many American Pickup buyers .....Mercedes is popularly perceived in the USA as a very bourgeois brand; hardly the blue collar image of the classic American Pickup.

Is this Mercedes simply the 'Ralph Lauren' Jeans of Pickups?

I don't think they will, it's smaller than a US sized pickup, remember despite the flash interior, nose job and butt lift the central core of this veshicle is still recognizably the Nissan NP300 Navara.

To really crack the North American market they need to build a Mercedes version of the full size Nissan Titan.

Why don't they just offer a factory-built version of the G class as a Pickup ......a no brainer.

It would cost far more than the target market is willing to pay, is my guess, plus the G is an old nail, it's too small inside.

 

[SDNR]

I don't think they will, it's smaller than a US sized pickup, remember despite the flash interior, nose job and butt lift the central core of this veshicle is still recognizably the Nissan NP300 Navara.



It would cost far more than the target market is willing to pay, is my guess, plus the G is an old nail, it's too small inside.

Good points.

How well does the Toyota Hilux and VW Amarok sell in the USA?

EDIT: I checked ....they are not sold in the USA, they have the Toyota Tacoma and the Amarok will likely be soon.
Hmm, well I guess Mercedes will watch and wait to see how things go for VW.

 

[martinbo]

It'll sell like faahking hotcakes down here in SA.

Lekker man - dis mos die perfekte Merc vir 'n boer ek sê vir jou boet!

 

[SDNR]

It'll sell like faahking hotcakes down here in SA.

Lekker man - dis mos die perfekte Merc vir 'n boer ek sê vir jou boet!

Thank goodness for google translate lol

 

[MikeJ]

I'd be quite surprised if they didn't bring out a basic version for commercial use at some point. In most European countries, the sales figures for 'lifestyle' pickups are rather low.

As for being N/A in N.A., I suppose the problem is that it's too small to suit the Americans' idea of a premium pickup. Had they built one big enough for the American market, it would be too big for everyone else...

 

[sorruk]

Not really feeling this design. They have overdone the front bumper and those huge alloys. They are trying hard to hide the fact that it is a Nissan underneath. The production versión is going to be watered down and rather dull.

Will it sell? . I bet it will do nicely because there is badge thristy people. But it is only an average product.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I'm amazed they might not sell this in the U.S.! The land of the pick up! Sure, people are saying it's too small etc, but I'm still very surprised. I would have thought it would be their number one market.

 

[Centurion]

I'd be quite surprised if they didn't bring out a basic version for commercial use at some point. In most European countries, the sales figures for 'lifestyle' pickups are rather low.

The odd self employed might buy one for commercial and personal use but few finance departments will let somone order fleets of these of commercial use, when Japanese pickups will as good at the job. The basic version of the X-Type is a Renault or a Nissan.

 

[KiwiRob]

Good points.

How well does the Toyota Hilux and VW Amarok sell in the USA?

EDIT: I checked ....they are not sold in the USA, they have the Toyota Tacoma and the Amarok will likely be soon.
Hmm, well I guess Mercedes will watch and wait to see how things go for VW.

From what I understand midsize pickup's like Hilux, L300, Navara, Amorak, don't sell all that well because the price diference between them and the fullsize F150, RAM 1500 is next to nothing and in some cases more expensive so Americans being Americans go with bigger is better, when often it isn't.

 

[KiwiRob]

Not really feeling this design. They have overdone the front bumper and those huge alloys. They are trying hard to hide the fact that it is a Nissan underneath. The production versión is going to be watered down and rather dull.

Will it sell? . I bet it will do nicely because there is badge thristy people. But it is only an average product.

If they do want to sell it in the US they have to butch it up a lot, to make it look bigger than it really is.

What they have done is a great job on the interior, the Nissan interior is your basic pickup interior with cheap hard plastics and the rest, Mercedes have done a great job, if it looks like this there is noting visually Nissan about it.

As for the exterior to me it looks like the roof and glass are the only carry over Nissan items, it's a pity they haven't changed the back doors to remove the kickup as that really gives the game away.

Mercedes X Class

Renault Alaskan

 

[klier]

Well, I dig the new age shutline. It's better than most real Benz cars sadly.

And the shape of the greenhouse reminds me too much of the donor car.

 

[Serpens]

From what I understand midsize pickup's like Hilux, L300, Navara, Amorak, don't sell all that well because the price diference between them and the fullsize F150, RAM 1500 is next to nothing and in some cases more expensive so Americans being Americans go with bigger is better, when often it isn't.

For the record, most American full-size pickups drive pretty damn well these days.

 

[Serpens]

I'm amazed they might not sell this in the U.S.! The land of the pick up! Sure, people are saying it's too small etc, but I'm still very surprised. I would have thought it would be their number one market.

Brand loyalty to the Big 3 is huge here. Also luxury pickups have failed here in the past- both Cadillac and Lexus have had failed entries. The most recently Escalade pickup wasn't even a bad drive as far as pickups go.

 

[domleo999]

The best thing is - If you crash or bump it - Just head down to your local Renault/Nissan scrap yard and get a generic wing on the cheap

 

[Centurion]

If they do want to sell it in the US they have to butch it up a lot, to make it look bigger than it really is.

I guess rebadging is a cost effective way of testing the water before committing to a pure Mercedes pickup. Releasing a "small" pickup in the US could risk damaging the brand. In the future they could base the GLS and a spacious pickup on the same platform.