Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute revealed

Say hello to the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class.

A decade ago it would have been laughable to suggest the three-pointed star would produce a dual-cab 4x4 ute to tackle top-end versions of the popular one-tonners like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado and Volkswagen Amarok.

Yet here we are, gazing slack-jawed at the first global mid-size pick-up from the European luxury vehicle giant, and it promises to navigate everything from the urban jungle to the Simpson desert without breaking a sweat, while hauling a caravan, two dirt bikes and five passengers in the lap of luxury.

Billed as the world's first premium pickup, the German luxury ute is finally taking shape -- inside and out -- and it's a suitably dynamic shape to be sure, as you can see from these two X-Class concept cars that debuted in Sweden overnight.

Expect the production X-class to look a lot like this when it makes its world debut in Europe next year -- most likely at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show in September -- ahead of its Australian introduction in 2018.

The pair of five-seat twin-cab utes on show have been dubbed the Concept X-Class "stylish explorer" (silver) and "powerful adventurer" (yellow), and each previews the new model's dual personalities: urban lifestyle ute and off-road load-lugger.

Stuttgart's new ute rides on a modified version of the Nissan Navara NP300 platform as part of co-operative deal with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and there's similarities in the windows and roofline.

However, the frontal styling is pure Benz, the all-new sheet metal and bold front bumper providing a premium image inspired by its popular SUVs. The rear-end with its wrap-around LED lights is also intense but is likely to be toned down for production.

But let's get one thing straight: this is not Mercedes dipping its toe in the mid-size pick-up truck market, which is growing globally -- especially at the premium and lifestyle ends. This is Benz attempting to rewrite the rule book.

The German car-maker claims it has invested "high nine figures" of Euros into research and development of the X-Class -- meaning over $1 billion -- which will be built alongside the Navara in Spain for Australia.

Utes account for almost 20 per cent of the new vehicle sales Down Under, which is among the world's top-five pick-up markets with close to 200,000 annual sales. Naturally Australia will be a key market for the new Benz ute and has been chosen as one of several development locations for the X-Class, which bodes well for its local suitability.

"We will open up and change the segment of mid-size pickups – with the world's first true premium pickup for the modern urban lifestyle", declared Volker Mornhinweg, the head of Mercedes-Benz Vans at the launch of the X-Class concepts.

Although much of the final vehicle's specifics are still shrouded in secrecy, several new details from the X-Class's global launch in Sweden have been confirmed, such as top-shelf models packing turbo-diesel V6 engines and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, both developed in-house at Mercedes.

A pair of four-cylinder engines, petrol and turbo-diesel, will be supplied by Nissan and offered in entry-level X-Class models.

On top of new sheet metal and V6 powerplant, the X-Class features a modified five-link rear axle with coil springs, along with a transfer case and reduction gear to improve off-road capability, plus two fully-locking electronically-controlled differentials.

Mercedes-Benz is investing big bucks to ensure the X-Class is as good on road as it is off, while maintaining plenty of utility. Towing capacity is quoted at 3500kg and tray payload is 1100kg, putting it well on par with most rivals.

The interiors of the new models will be just as important as their bold exteriors, with the concept ute's adoption of contrasting leather, oak highlights and brushed aluminium inlays, proving Benz won't be skimping on luxuries.

High-definition display screens with the company's now-familiar central controller/touchpad are in evidence, which will ensure "the most modern control and display concept in the segment", according to Merc.

For the record, a manual handbrake will be present and the company says a range of interior and exterior equipment packs and accessories will be offered, such as tray covers, body cladding and so on. It'll be interesting to see if Benz offers a winch as seen on the X-Class "powerful adventurer".

Safety features will include the latest tech available from Benz, a leader in the field, with Mercedes CEO Dieter Zetsche calling the vehicle the world's safest ute.

The company will offer "modern driver assistance systems based on cameras, radar and ultrasound sensors," and several of these systems will be fitted as standard to all variants.

Does all this mean the X-Class will be most expensive ute in its segment? Probably. But with Aussies already paying well over $60,000 for many dual-cab utes, Mercedes is confident of finding new customers.

The company is a long way from confirming exact pricing, but Benz insiders told motoring.com.au that all other utes in Australia including the top-selling HiLux are potential rivals, suggesting entry-level X-Class utes won't be out of reach for many buyers.

Mercedes-Benz Vans chief Mornhinweg also noted that a three-pointed star on the front of a ute will "…appeal to new customers who have not considered owning a pickup before."

Mercedes-Benz Australia product communications manager Jerry Stamoulis told motoring.com.au there was huge excitement surrounding the approach of the brand's first dual-cab ute Down Under, where the X-Class will fill an important gap in its vehicle range.

"Yes, there's excitement. It is different and it is a customer base which we do talk to but obviously we don’t sell a ute to. So we have customers who buy Vito, V-Class, GLE, and [the X-Class] is really the missing part of our product portfolio."

So who exactly will buy one of these?

"Someone who owns a GLE SUV today is unlikely going to sell that to buy the X-Class, but at some stage in their lives they may have had one of these vehicles," said Stamoulis.

He stated it was too early to say just how popular the new model will be in Australia, as pricing and spec is still being negotiated.

"What's important to us is that there's a Mercedes-Benz for every part of your life, and every family member."

The ute segment has undergone major change in the last decade and now that Benz has gate-crashed the party, we can expect that shift upmarket -- not just in terms of luxury and price but technology and safety -- to continue.

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