Mercedes-Benz X 350d due in December

The flagship of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class range, the Mercedes X 350d 4MATIC, will be launched in Australia at the end of the year, priced somewhere between $75,000 and $80,000.

That positions the X 350d 4MATIC at the pinnacle of pick-up pricing, for a vehicle that remains heavily based on Nissan's D23 Navara.

Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia is yet to reveal official pricing for the new variant, but Blake Vincent, the company's PR and Corporate Communications Manager, has hinted at the starting price for the V6 model in Australia.

"From around that [$75,000] mark to [$80,000]... you'd be [in the] ballpark with where we end up," the Benz spokesman told motoring.com.au. "Obviously though, you've just got to consider the local spec that we end up adding into the vehicle too."

The official pricing in Europe is €47,490 for the X 350d 4MATIC Progressive, or €53,490 for the X 350d 4MATIC Power. Those figures, which are subject to 19 per cent VAT in Germany, equate to $A74,599 for the lower-grade model, or $A84,024 for the range-topping variant.

Vincent says that the VAT, being nearly double the 10 per cent GST payable on new cars in Australia, mitigates against drawing any conclusions from the European pricing.

"You can't do a straight conversion..." he said, "plus we do [formulate pricing] based on benchmarked competitors as well..."

Vincent says too that the X 350d will be sold in Australia with more standard equipment than its European-delivered counterparts, but Benz won't reveal what the extra kit will be.

When the X 350d launches in Australia, in December, it will run straight into the Volkswagen Amarok Ultimate, a new V6 variant producing 10kW and 30Nm more than the 3.0-litre OM642 diesel V6 fitted to the X-Class.

But the Amarok uses overboost to get there, and that facility is only available in third gear and higher, and provided the driver uses at least 70 per cent of 'throttle'. In first and second gears, the Amarok Ultimate generates the same power and torque as the X 350d.

"The V6 is a full package," Vincent argues. "The power output is strong; we've got 190kW and 550Nm, which is still really competitive – and obviously a lot more power than the majority of the competition still offer.

"We think it's still a very strong proposition, in terms of power and ride refinement that you get with our vehicles. That's going to hold us in good stead."

Mercedes-Benz claims that the X 350d will use fuel at the rate of 9.0L/100km in combined-cycle testing and will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds. Peak torque – 550Nm – arrives at engine revs between 1400 and 3200rpm.

The 3.0-litre diesel V6 drives through the Benz 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, equipped with shift paddles, to all four wheels.

A rear-biased centre differential (with a fixed 40:60 torque split) features a clever double-synchro system to allow shifting from low range to high range on the fly – or vice versa – at speeds up to 40km/h. For optimal traction off-road, the X 350d features a locking multi-plate clutch in the transfer case.

Five electronically-controlled drive modes are available for the powertrain operation: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Manual and Off-road. Idle-stop operates automatically in all modes other than Off-road.

Mercedes-Benz claims that the X 350d will ford water crossings up to 600mm deep and ground clearance will be 222mm in Australian specification. Approach and departure angles are 29° and 24° respectively, for a break-over angle of at least 20.4°.

According to the manufacturer, the X 350d will climb grades of up to 45° and can negotiate slopes of 50° without falling over, thanks in part to its 1.6m track and 3.15m wheelbase.

The X 350d rides on a double-wishbone front end, complemented by a five-link (Panhard rod) coil-sprung live axle at the rear.

Standard safety features fitted comprise seven airbags, anchorage points for two child safety seats, Brake Assist, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition and Active Lane Keeping Assist. Other items available include trailer stabilisation, emergency call telematics and LED headlights.

Although the Australian specification is yet to be finalised, a reversing camera and 360-degree camera system are both optional in Europe, but are likely to be standard here. The same is anticipated to be the case for the LED headlights.

The X 350d has been launched globally in two levels of trim, Progressive and Power, the former being the more affordable grade. As standard, both trim levels offer keyless start and dual-zone climate control.

The Progressive variant is fitted with 17-inch, six-spoke alloy wheels, leather-bound steering wheel rim/parking brake lever, black fabric seat upholstery and an eight-speaker audio system.

Equipment in the X 350d Power also includes 18-inch alloys, chrome-plated underride guard/front foglight bezels, chrome rear bumper, LED headlights, Artico leather-look seat upholstery, electrically adjustable seats and a multi-functional touchpad for the audio system.

But whether the locally-delivered X 350d sticks with these specifications remains unclear for the moment.