Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute hits Oz

When Mercedes-Benz revealed its first ridgy-didge one-tonne ute, the X-Class ute last October, it created a social media cyclone.

And it's about to do so again as the company has shipped one of its pickup concept vehicles to Australia for "a number of promotional activities", says the German importer.

"Australia and New Zealand are critical markets for the success of the X-Class," said Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Diane Tarr.

"The Concept has been flown from Germany so our dealers can get a detailed briefing about the vehicle and continue their preparation for a successful launch of the X-Class in 2018," she said.

Based on the Nissan Navara, Mercedes calls the X-Class the "world's first premium pickup" and claims it will deliver class-leading comport, convenience, safety and technology.

Sounds expensive? Perhaps not.

Benz reckons it won't charge rip-off prices and it will in fact be comparable to class-leaders such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes.

"For us we certainly are competing predominantly with the likes of Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok and -- who knows -- maybe the Renault Alaskan," said Tarr back in October 2016.

"We haven’t set out to position ourselves as the most expensive, and it’ll come down to the specifications and options that we offer."

As well as the dealer activities, the X-Class ute concept – dubbed "powerful adventurer" – will be involved in photo shoots in Australia, which are likely to be part of a massive promotional hype machine that'll be cranked up leading into to the vehicle's local launch here in 2018.

The production version of the new ute will powered by turbo-diesel four-cylinder and V6 engines matched with 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive. Specially-developed five-link rear suspension with coil springs will be part of the package, as will a transfer case and reduction gear, and a pair of fully-locking electronically-controlled differentials.

Mercedes-Benz says it'll tow 3500kg and the X-Class tray/bed payload will be 1100kg -- par for the course in the segment.

Of course, the interior of the X-Class will be the real show-stopper, bringing a level of luxury that its rivals won't be able to touch... After all, it has to live up to the Mercedes-Benz badge.

High-resolution display screens (but maybe not touch-screens) will provide the cabin with an upmarket look and feel, as will premium leather upholstery, aluminium accents, timber highlights and electric everything.

The company reckons the X-Class will have "the most modern control and display concept in the segment".

Safety features will play a big role too, the company claiming that "modern driver assistance systems based on cameras, radar and ultrasound sensors" will give drivers extra eyes and ears to avoid trouble.