[CarCynic]

Having lived in Texas where people love their trucks, I am trying hard to pinpoint which subgroup of pickup truck buyers are they targeting here. The articles and comments do suggest that their primary focus is not North American market but how different can these various markets be.

The posers will avoid it because it is not big enough (by US standards) and lacks the rugged and rustic appeal of a Ford or a Dodge. The people who NEED a pickup bed and some luxury have plenty of other options from manufacturers who have been making reliable workhourses for decades now (and have widespread service networks, especially in rural countrysides where such pickups are more likely to be used).

And even then it's just a reskinned Nissan. Nothing wrong with that, but the idea sounds a lot like Lincoln-Ford and Cadillac-Chevy. Both Lincoln (Blackwood, Mark LT) and Cadillac (EXT) had pickup trucks in the US market and all have been discontinued now due to the lack of demand. People seeking comfort simply go for higher end versions of popular trucks. This is just a personal opinion but I find the idea of a luxury branded pickup truck a bit ridiculous but I commend Mercedes for creating a niche and addressing a demand if and where it exists.



This article sums up the failings of Lincoln Blackwood pretty well IMO. http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2012/7/2...kwood-7709837/

By 2002, nobody was really expecting an SUV owner to use it for anything utilitarian, and the EXT was obviously much more SUV than pickup. You could install a hot tub in the bed of an EXT and nobody would bat an eyelash, it was just a show-off-y SUV. But the Blackwood was obviously a pickup, and that's a different thing altogether. Now, plenty of people own pickups without ever using them for their intended purpose. These people are generally buying pickups for the image, they like to appear rugged and independent, and a pickup tells the world that this is the sort of person you are much better than a Camry ever could.
But the Blackwood said the exact opposite. It was too utilitarian for pure conspicuous consumption, but not utilitarian enough to project rugged independence.

This is Toyota Tacoma, one of the best selling mid-size pickup trucks in the US and a direct competitor of Nissan Frontier (or Navara). I guess Toyota could come with a Lexus version of this if X class gets popular.

[gthang]

Originally Posted by GTO

A pickup truck was the only body style left. And they sure have entered it with a bang.

Well, technically, the AMG G Wagen 6x6 was the first pickup from MB.

Originally Posted by GTO

And whatever Mercedes says right now, it will definitely be launched in the USA - the largest pickup market in the world.

The largest "Full size" pickup market.
Mid size pickups are not that popular and not that expensive either.

There is a serious void in luxury pickup trucks in markets outside of the US, and it is wise to test the waters in other markets before they develop an all new global model.

Looking forward to seeing this beauty on the road soon.

Cheers.

[hangover]

This isn't for the US market nor is it for a farmer to load up with fertilizer and chickens.
This is for the gulf markets. You would buy one or two of these to inspect your oil wells. The last vehicle that appealed to this market was the LM002 a.k.a. Rambo Lambo. So this should do well.

[av8er]

There is huge potential for this in the Middle east market. These guys have the money and would love to show off the moment they get a chance. I am sure there would be people who would buy it just for the brand name.

On another note looks amazing and Waiting to see it soon.

[de3p]

A new teaser is out. Looks pretty cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ww8khzqBT4

[volkman10]

Mercedes X-Class teased one last time ahead of today's reveal.

[Arjun Reddy]

For what I have heard is that this is no Mercedes. It's a Nissan Navara reworked on and rebadged. So if it isn't a Mercedes from bottom up , why would someone pay Mercedes price for a Nissan ?
Could be wrong though. Can someone authenticate.
Edit : There u go. Just read Carcynic's post.

[volkman10]

Mercedes-Benz X-Class unveiled.

The launch begins in November 2017 in Europe. South Africa and Australia will follow at the beginning of 2018, as well as Argentina and Brazil at the beginning of 2019.

Three versions of the Mercedes truck are heading for Europe, South Africa, Latin America and Australia.

The X-Class will come in three basic trims: Pure, Progressive and Power. Pure is for “rugged, functional use” says Mercedes, while the Progressive trim is for buyers who want more styling and comfort. Power is the top level “for whom styling, performance and comfort are paramount.” Small and large cab versions are offered, and Mercedes showed one with a cap on the back and one with light bars


Payload is rated at 2,425 pounds and towing comes in at about 7,700 pounds

The Mercedes X-Class will be offered with one of two 2.3-liter, four-cylinders or a V6 (all diesels) while a few markets will just get a small gasoline engine. Power ranges from 163 hp in the four to 254 hp in the V6. Max torque in the diesel V6 is rated at 405 lb-ft.

Rear-wheel drive is standard; selectable or permanent 4Matic four-wheel drive is optional, as is a differential lock. A seven-speed automatic will transfer power on all trim levels.

Other notable stats including a fording depth of 23.6 inches, about 8 inches of ground clearance and 28.8 and 23.8 degrees of approach and departure angles, respectively

Like all Mercedes models, the X-Class will get adjustable driving modes for comfort, sport and eco. It uses coil springs at the front and rear; a double wishbone setup in front and a multilink solid axle in back




Link

[Mtv]

The X Class is a product of the Mercedes-Nissan tie up, as it is based on the new Nissan Navara pick up truck platform.

Can't wait to see what the inevitable AMG and Maybach versions look like

[DicKy]

MB will be sure to have re-engineered it to their spec, regardless of the Navara platform.
At least it's not badge engineered, just that the platform is shared.

The pricing will decide whom Merc is targeting at, with this pick-up. Again, Merc has a tradition of starting entire new trends that rivals are only too keen to pickup.

But, unlike Merc which already had CV presence, someone like BMW or Audi launching a pickup feels ridiculous, (fancy a re-badged Hilux from BMW or Amorak from Audi), but then who am I to predict future trends.

Can't wait for the inevitable AMG version, though I have a feeling that a turbo V6 would be preferred over a V8 if at all it comes.

Everything looks swell, except for the looks of that cheap plasticky gearshifter gate. Feels like an Innova Crysta A/T console.

[gopi_rm]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Everything looks swell, except for the looks of that cheap plasticky gearshifter gate. Feels like an Innova Crysta A/T console.

I also felt the same when I saw the 1st interior image

[bullet-tooth]

The side view resembles more like a Tata xenon pickup. The focus group of this vehicle will heavily depend on the price at which it is launched, so will the success rate.

[volkman10]

Mercedes Benz X Class pick up truck Euro NCAP tested,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akbJNwPSKY4