Yahoo Autos Everything We Think We Know About the Mercedes-Benz Pickup Truck
Last March, Mercedes-Benz made the announcement that it planned to build a pickup truck. Since the surprise announcement, Mercedes has kept a tight lid on the project's details. But yesterday, it showed off the first concept for the truck and gave us a bit more information. So let's dive in and talk about what we know so far.
It will be called the X-Class
Previously, we'd heard that Mercedes might name its truck like an SUV and call it the GLT. Yesterday, Mercedes confirmed that wasn't the case. The new truck will instead be called the X-Class.
It's based on the Nissan Navara
Instead of developing its own truck platform, Mercedes decided to borrow one. It chose the Nissan Navara, a midsize pickup that in previous generations has been the foreign-market version of the Nissan Frontier we get here in the States.
Production begins next year
Technically, the trucks Mercedes showed off are concepts, but plans are already in place to begin production in late 2017.
Only a few markets will get the X-Class at first
Mercedes says it plans to focus on Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Great Britain, and South Africa in the beginning.
The U.S. may miss out
Mercedes-Benz USA told us it's considering bringin the X-Class here at some point, but it has no idea when that would be or when it would make that decision. Sadly, the 25-percent tariff the government puts on imported pickup trucks will likely be a factor here.
The X-Class will be off-road capable but still luxurious
Mercedes originally said its pickup would embody "rough luxury." At the reveal, it showed off two versions of the X-Class concept that highlight its dual nature. We expect you'll be able to equip the production version with a little more capability or a little more luxury depending on your preferences, but this Mercedes pickup truck is still going to be a Mercedes.
The top-spec engine will be a diesel V6
So far, we have no specifics on power output other than a claim that it will be "high-torque." Mercedes did say, however, that the four-wheel-drive X-Class with this engine will be able to haul more than 2000 lbs. and tow around 7000 lbs. So even though it's a Mercedes, the X-Class will still be able to do plenty of work.
It'll also probably be plenty capable off-road
Considering that it'll be based on a dedicated truck platform, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Mercedes promises it will have "an electronic traction system, a transfer case with reduction gear, and two differential locks" that will automatically send power where needed. In "extreme off-road conditions," both differentials can be locked.
So while it likely won't be able to keep up with the G500 4x4² and its portal axles, the X-Class definitely won't be a GLA with a bed. For the sake of sales, that's probably a good thing.
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