Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute goes extreme

If you think the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class looks a bit boring, New Zealand company RVE International's latest offerings may pique your interest.

Expected to arrive in Australia from July 2018 are two different takes on the X-Class – and both are about as conventional as a truffle toastie.

There's the hard core rugged off-roader, dubbed the EXY Off-Road Extreme, and the street wise cruiser aptly named the Exy Urban.

Given the circa-$80,000 asking price for the Mercedes-Benz X 350d 4MATIC, which will top the range later in 2018 with its 190kW/550Nm V6 diesel, these modified utes could end up costing well north of $100,000. Even so, the importer says it already has pre-orders from customers in Australia.

The EXY Off-Road Extreme kit for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class pick-up features excessive all-terrain tyres, a lift kit and so much extra body work it hurts.

It starts with the wide-body kit which embraces pumped wheel arches at the sides, a bash plate and new bumper with swirly air dams up front, unique tow hooks and an aerodynamic bonnet protector.

There's an LED bar on the roof with its own cowling and an aggressive sports bar with integrated roof spoiler adorns the tray at the back. The icing on the visual drama cake that is the aptly-named EXY Off-Road Extreme – this won't be cheap – is the angular bonnet scoop.

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The second vehicle, Exy Urban, has a lower ride height and a 20-inch wheel and tyre package more suited for apex hunting than bush-bashing. The modified Mercedes-Benz X-Class has similarly flared wheel arches only this time they're made from carbon-fibre, as is the new front bumper. It also gets a carbon bonnet protector and the same rear sports bar as its beefcake off-road cousin.

Some of the images suggest the Exy Urban kits will be limited to just 999 units, adding exclusivity, and given that AMG won't fettle the X-Class, this could be as sporty as it gets.

There are also upgraded cabin fit outs for a truly extravagant Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute. As the imagery shows, the interior refit adds racing seats upholstered in crimson leather, as are most of the touch points and even the dashboard.

The designs and accessories are penned and manufactured in Poland by Carlex Design Ltd, a company that specialises in high-end marine, aviation and luxury car interiors. But now it seems the heavily fragmented dual-cab ute is ready for the super car treatment.

New Zealand-based RVE International has entered into a joint venture with Carlex Design to distribute the intense products in Australasia. Carlex will do the same for RVE in Europe.

The Carlex range also includes the Mitsubishi L200 (Triton) Lucky, the Nissan Navara Navy, Volkswagen Amarok Amy and Toyota HiLux Hilly, which you can see by clicking on the photos tab at the top of the page. It remains to be seen if these will be offered here as well.

RVE International says that more details, such as specifications, distribution partners, pricing and availability of the 'Pickup Design' range for Australia and New Zealand will be announced in the second half of the year.

"In terms of availability we are taking orders now for July delivery," said Ken Pridham, Sales and Marketing Manager for RVE International.

"Ideally we like to work via dealerships but will also be engaging with a series of high end body shops like Europanel in Geelong to be approved installation partners."