Mercedes-Benz X-Class

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Mercedes-Benz X-Class
2018 Mercedes-Benz X250 Power D 4MATIC Automatic 2.3 Front.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Daimler AG
Nissan
Model code W470
ProductionNovember 2017 – May 2020 [1]
AssemblySpain: Barcelona (Nissan Motor Ibérica)
Designer Wini Camacho [2]
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size pickup truck
Layout
Platform Nissan F-Alpha platform
Related Nissan Navara / Renault Alaskan (D23)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission 6-speed manual (X220d and X250d)
7-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,150 mm (124.0 in)
Length5,340 mm (210.2 in)
Width1,920 mm (75.6 in)
Height1,819 mm (71.6 in)
Chronology
Predecessor Mercedes-Benz Musso [3]

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class (W470) was a pickup truck sold by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz, a division of German multinational company Daimler AG. Unveiled at a world premiere in Cape Town, South Africa in July 2017, the pickup took its chassis from the Nissan Navara and employed many Mercedes-specific features and technologies, including some engines not shared with the Navara. It first went on sale in late 2017. [4] [5]

Contents

Development

Rear view 2018 Mercedes-Benz X250 Power D 4MATIC Automatic 2.3 Rear.jpg
Rear view

In 2015, Mercedes-Benz announced that development of a pickup truck was in the works. [6] The new vehicle, developed in conjunction with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, was to be assembled at Nissan and Renault plants in Europe and South America.

On 25 October 2016, Mercedes-Benz announced a concept class called the X-Class Concept. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler Chairman and head of Mercedes-Benz cars, said it would help a growing segment. It was slated to be only available in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The top-of-the-range engine is a turbocharged diesel V6 paired with a 4Matic permanent all-wheel-drive system.

Production started in 2017 at the Nissan factory in Spain. [7] Plans to produce the pickup at the Renault plant in Santa Isabel, Argentina were cancelled due to alleged contractual disputes between executives from both marques. [8]

According to Mercedes, the X-Class would be the world's first true "premium" pick-up truck, although it followed the failed Lincoln Blackwood and Lincoln Mark LT, two upmarket versions of the Ford F-150, along with the also-failed Cadillac Escalade EXT, a pickup variant of the full-size luxury SUV and an upmarket version of the Chevrolet Avalanche. Of these, the X-Class only managed to last longer on the market than the Lincoln Blackwood.

Global sales of the X-Class in 2018, its first full year on the market, were just 16,700 in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, South America, and South Africa. [9] It further decreased to around 15,300 in 2019, [10] with 2,186 sold in Australia alone. [11] Production of the X-Class was halted in May 2020 due to slow sales. [12] The slow sales are primarily attributed to a negative perception of the vehicle's platform. It was argued that many customers expected an entirely new vehicle designed and built by Mercedes and were disappointed when it was instead presented as a joint-venture with Nissan/Renault. This issue was further compounded with the use of Nissan/Renault engines in lower end trim levels. Despite the X350 sharing the same V6 diesel engine platform as the G-Class and other Mercedes models, public perception was that the X-Class was an expensive rebrand of a Nissan Navara, an image it struggled to shake throughout its short production run. [13]

Promotion

On 19 July 2017, the promotional video/advertising spot "Mercedes-Benz X-Class: Pickup Meets Lifestyle – Trailer" was released, with "We Are Young" song by Blues Saraceno as soundtrack.[ citation needed ]

Models

The X-class launched with three trim levels: Pure, Progressive and Power. [14] [15]

Engines

Petrol engines [16]
ModelYearsType/codePower at rpm, Torque at rpmTransmissions
X2002018– 20201,991 cc (121.5 cu in) I4 turbo M274 122 kW (166 PS; 164 hp) at 6,000, 238 N⋅m (176 lbf⋅ft) at 4,0006-speed manual

7-speed automatic

Diesel engines [16] [17]
ModelYearsType/codePower at rpm, Torque at rpmTransmissions
X220d2018–20202,298 cc (140.2 cu in) I4 turbo OM699 DE23 LA R 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp) at 3,750, 403 N⋅m (297 lbf⋅ft) at 1,500–2,5006-speed manual
X250d2018–20202,298 cc (140.2 cu in) I4 turbo OM699 DE23 LA 140 kW (190 PS; 188 hp) at 3,750, 450 N⋅m (332 lbf⋅ft) at 1,500–2,5006-speed manual

7-speed automatic

X350d2018–20202,998 cc (182.9 cu in) V6 turbo Diesel OM642 190 kW (258 PS; 255 hp) at 3,600, 550 N⋅m (406 lbf⋅ft) at 1,6007-speed automatic

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References

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  16. 1 2 "Engine and transmission: High-torque, enjoyable performance with four and six cylinders". Daimler Global Media Site (Press release). 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 21 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
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