Mercedes has used Nissan's Navara pickup as the basis for the X-Class. The two cars are built in the same factory in Barcelona, and share a chassis and a 2.3-litre diesel engine. Mercedes will eventually introduce its own 3.0-litre V6 diesel as well, and although the cars are closely related, there is not a single shared exterior panel or interior trim between them. The X-Class is also 70mm wider and 20mm lower than the Nissan Navara.
Selectable four-wheel drive is standard on Progressive and Power models, and a permanent four-wheel drive system will be introduced next year. A locking rear differential is also optional, for those intending to do some serious off-roading.
Inside, you won't find any relationship with the Nissan. The instrument cluster consists of large, analogue round dials from the C-Class and V-Class range that, in both versions, are tubular in form with a seven-inch colour multimedia display positioned between the dials. Other items to which special attention was paid include seat comfort, thanks to optimum lateral support, a high seat position and the use of ergonomically formed soft foam with Power variant having electrically adjustable seats and electric two-way lumbar support, as standard.
In work terms, X-Class can haul a payload of over one-tonne (1,042kg to be exact) - sufficient, for example, to transport seventeen full 50-litre barrels of beer in the cargo area. Towing strength up to 3.5-tonnes gives it power to pull a trailer containing three horses or an eight-metre yacht. The only mid-size pickup equipped with lighting in the cargo area as standard, the load bed is designed wide enough to fit a Euro-pallet between the wheel arches.
You can choose from 17,18, or 19-inch wheels, and there's a broad range of options for the cabin, from leather-and-alcantara seats, to an optional 8.4-inch infotainment screen and a surround-camera system. Mercedes expects that, contrary to the commercial vehicle norm, customers will be hugely keen on personalisation options for the X-Class. It's mostly expected to be bought by owner-users, rather than big fleets.
There are seven dealers for the X-Class in Ireland, a mixture of van and car specialists, including Sligo based Connolly Motor Group; Cork Truck Services; Gilmores of Kingscourt; Kinahan Commercials, Moate and three Dublin city outlets - MSL Grange at Pottery Road, Deansgrange; MSL Park Motors on North Circular Road and MUTEC on Long Mile Road.
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