Mercedes-Benz has debuted what it calls the world’s first “premium double-cab bakkie” at a reveal in Cape Town on July 18. The new Mercedes X-Class bakkie is set to arrive locally later in 2018. The global launch will take place in October 2017. It said to be the first bakkie you can access via your smartphone courtesy of its new technology according to Mercedes. They say the “Me Connect” system allows customers to view vehicle information remotely via their smartphones or set-up door-to-door navigation, although it appears that these features will be limited to European markets.
The Mercedes X-Class bakkie may have the work ethic of a proper bakkie then, but Mercedes-Benz has gone the full luxury car monty inside with premium materials and gadgets that you’d normally not expect to find in a load-lugger. In addition there will be plenty of ways to personalise the cabin as Mercedes says it will offer the widest selection of materials and colours in the segment, including six different seat upholstery options and two roof-liner colours.
On the safety front, the Mercedes X-Class boasts a full suite of active driving aids, including Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Trailer Stability Assist and Traffic Sign Assist. Furthermore, it will be the only vehicle in its segment fitted as standard with internally vented brake discs on all wheels.
According to Mercedes-Benz: “The Mercedes X-Class is aimed at very different customer groups: land owners and farmers in Argentina, business owners and building contractors in Australia, families with an affinity for premium products in Brazil, trend-conscious individualists in South Africa and Great Britain as well as sporty adventurers in New Zealand and Germany.”
Mercedes has revealed the engine range for all markets. There are three 4-cylinder engines and a single 6-cylinder unit as follows:
X 200 – 122kW/238Nm
X 220 d – 120kW/403Nm
X 250 d – 140kW/450Nm
X 350 d – 190kW/550Nm
South African specifications and pricing will be confirmed closer to next year’s launch.