Mercedes-Benz X 350d to be Australia's priciest ute
Australian pricing and specs announced for Mercedes-Benz X-Class V6Local pricing and specifications have been announced for the Mercedes-Benz X 350d 4MATIC, which will become Australia’s most expensive mid-size ute when it arrives in December.
On sale now following the release of the four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz X-Class dual-cab range in April, the X 350d is priced from $73,270 plus on-road costs -- $18,370 more than the $54,900 X 250d Progressive on which it’s based.
But at $79,415 plus ORCs, the top-shelf X 350d Power usurps the $74,990 Ford Ranger Raptor as Australia’s priciest mid-size pick-up, as well as the one-size-larger MY18 RAM 1500 ($79,500 drive-away).
As for its most direct competitors, the Mercedes-Benz X 350d also eclipses the diesel V6-powered Volkswagen Amarok TDI550 Ultimate ($68,490 plus ORCs) in terms of price, but not performance.
Matched as standard with a 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission, Mercedes-Benz claims the X-Class V6 produces 190kW of power and 550Nm of torque over 1400-3200rpm, enabling it to hit 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
All TDI550 V6 versions of the Volkswagen Amarok, which account for up to 80 per cent of its sales, currently produce 165kW/550Nm and up to 180kW of power for 10 seconds on overboost. Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration is 7.9sec.
By September, however, the Amarok Ultimate will be replaced by an upgraded TDI580 version offering 190kW/580Nm, up to 200kW on overboost and a claimed 7.3sec 0-100km/h time.
That means the upgraded VW diesel V6, which will filter down to other Amarok models, will top the X 350d for power, torque and acceleration – but not price, with an expected sticker of around $70,000.
Official Australian fuel consumption for the X 350d is yet to be announced but in Europe it’s listed at 9.0L/100km – the same as the standard Volkswagen Amarok V6.
The Mercedes-Benz X-Class was the first ute in Australia to be fitted with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which is standard in the X 350d along with seven airbags, four-wheel vented disc brakes, Active Brake Assist, ESP trailer stabilisation, tyre pressure monitoring system, cruise control and a reversing camera.
But while four-cylinder X-Class models feature Lane Keeping Assist, the V6 ups this to Active Lane Keeping Assist, which not only vibrates the steering wheel if the vehicle leaves its lane but also employs braking to bring it back into line.
Otherwise mirroring the four-cylinder range, entry-level Progressive versions of the X 350d come standard with KEYLESS-GO, dual-zone THERMOTRONIC climate control and new 18-inch five/twin-spoke alloy wheels.
Step up to the X 350d Power and you also get a 360-degree camera, aluminium dash trim, black roof liner and new 19-inch six/twin-spoke alloys.
As in mainstream X-Class models, standard X 350d equipment will include a five-mode DYNAMIC SELECT drive system (Comfort, Eco, Sport, Manual and Offroad) that modifies engine response, transmission shift points and the ECO idle-stop function.
Also standard equipment includes 4MATIC permanent four-wheel drive, low-range reduction gearing, a rear differential lock and a centre diff that sends 60 per cent of torque to the rear axle in normal conditions.
In 4MAT mode, torque is distributed automatically between the axles as required, while in 4H mode 70 per cent goes to the rear for off-road driving and 4L splits torque at 50/50 and is reserved for slow going over rock, sand, mud or snow.
Ground clearance is 222mm, maximum water fording depth 600mm, approach angle 30 degrees, departure angle 25 degrees, ramp breakover angle 22 degrees and maximum incline angle 49 degrees.
Six-cylinder versions of the X-Class are differentiated by V6 badging on the fender and X 350d 4MATIC badging on the tailgate.
A range of options will be available including leather seat trim, while the accessories line-up extends to a new sports bar that can be combined with a black or silver roll cover, plus a hard cover, hardtop, stowage box, load bed liner, load-securing rails and an ‘underguard’.
How much is the Mercedes-Benz X-Class V6?
X 350d Progressive — $73,270
X 350d Power — $79,415
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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