Eat your heart out, Amarok.
Quite a number of parties have levelled rather sharp comments at Mercedes-Benz’s new ute, the X-Class, on account of its outsourced 4-cylinder turbodiesel mills that it got as part of the platform sharing deal it did with Nissan to bring the X-Class to market. However, the ‘luxury ute’ has now received the heart of a Mercedes-Benz, in the form of a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel.
The mill under the bonnet makes it the most powerful ute in its class now, with 190kW and 550Nm. This outdoes the Volkswagen Amarok V6’s mere 165kW, but it matches the Veedub for torque. Power goes to all four wheels via a Mercedes ‘4MATIC’ system, with transmission duties handled by a 7-speed automatic gearbox.
The X350dis not all looks and no substance. The 4MATIC system might be rear-biased (slightly, with a 60:40 split) but there’s a 4H drive mode that splits power evenly between the axles. There’s even a low-range mode and a locking rear diff, if you want to see just how far your luxury ute will go.
Mercedes-Benz is even touting things like a 600mm wading depth, a 222mm ground clearance, and a 29º approach and 24º departure angle. This is perhaps the most off-roady type talk we’ve heard from Mercedes-Benz since the G-Class.
The X350d will be offered only in the posher Progressive and Power trim levels, ditching the base-level Pure. The mid-level Progressive model gets 17-inch six-spoke alloys, halogen reflected headlights, chrome air vents, fabric upholstery, a leather steering wheel, and an eight-speaker audio system paired to a relatively-basic Audio20 infotainment system.
Opting for the range-topping Power model nets 18-inch alloys (which look great), LED headlights, leather dash-top, dash trim in matte black, leather upholstery with electrically-adjustable front seats, but the same Audio20 infotainment system.
The Mercedes-Benz X350d will start in Germany at a pricey €53,360 (or about $84,000), which puts it above the X250d (naturally) and provides a strong indication of how much the V6 X-Class will command when it arrives on our shores. Mercedes-Benz will take the Geneva motor show as an opportunity not only to showcase the new X350d but to show off a range of accessories and add-ons for the X-Class including optional alloys, tray hardtops, underbody protection (like any X-Class owner will venture that far off road), and a range of sports bars.
Expect the V6 X350d to make Aussie landfall in time for the 2019 model year.
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