[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/mercedes-x-class\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/mercedes-x-class\/","headline":"Merc has the X-Factor with new pick-ups","name":"Merc has the X-Factor with new pick-ups","description":"Mercedes-Benz has offered a solid line-up of commercial vehicles for some years now and it has just added another exceptional fixture with the new X-Class. With a name like that, anyone who didn\u2019t know better would probably expect some lavish super limo but no, it\u2019s a pick-up. However, as it\u2019s based on the Nissan Navara – arguably the best pick-up available – it has been given a head-start and you can bank on Merc to inject a hefty dose of […]","datePublished":"2017-07-19","dateModified":"2017-07-20","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Mercedes-X-220d-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Mercedes-X-220d-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/mercedes-x-class\/","about":["4x4 Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":370,"keywords":["mercedes","Mercedes X 220d","Mercedes X 250d","Mercedes X-Class","pickup"],"articleBody":"Mercedes-Benz has offered a solid line-up of commercial vehicles for some years now and it has just added another exceptional fixture with the new X-Class.With a name like that, anyone who didn\u2019t know better would probably expect some lavish super limo but no, it\u2019s a pick-up.However, as it\u2019s based on the Nissan Navara – arguably the best pick-up available – it has been given a head-start and you can bank on Merc to inject a hefty dose of luxury to what some still view as a mucky and utilitarian segment.But since when and why is a brand as premium as Merc turning to a carmaker like Nissan for a pick-up to rebadge?It\u2019s the result of a parts-sharing deal between Merc and the Renault-Nissan Alliance which was finalised a couple of years ago, and it\u2019s nothing new – Mercedes based its Citan van on the Renault Kangoo.Mercedes will seek to make the X-Class its own by kitting it out with a much higher level of quality and technology than that found in any Navara.Volker Mornhinweg, the head of Mercedes-Benz\u2019s van division, reckons the \u201cX-Class will redefine the pick-up into a true premium vehicle\u201d and believes pick-ups could enjoy a reinvention into something more desirable – much like what has happened with SUVs this decade.The brand predicts global sales of pick-ups to grow by 43 per cent by 2026, exceeding one million units.From the side, the X-Class bears a heavy resemblance to the Navara. However, from the front, it is unmistakably Mercedes with a supersized grille and the three-pointed star badge taking pride of place, front and centre.Inside, the X-Class is as comfortable and plush as you\u2019d expect, with its high quality feel bolstered by the inclusion of a high-res touchscreen and 360-degree camera.Buyers will be able to choose from two versions – the 161bhp X 220d and the 188bhp X 250d – both of which will use the same 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, linked to a six speed manual gearbox, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic available as an option.The X-Class will launch in Europe this November, costing \u20ac37,294 (\u00a333,002), before arriving in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in the early stages of 2018."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Merc has the X-Factor with new pick-ups","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/mercedes-x-class\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]