We Hear: Mercedes-Benz X-Class Pickup Will Debut by End of 2016
Concept truck could be shown in Paris
Last year, Mercedes promised it would introduce a new midsize pickup before 2020. And according to a new report fromAuto Express, we can expect to see a concept version by the end of this year.
0:00 / 0:00
Expected to bear the X-Class name, the pickup will feature styling details from the automaker's current SUVs. Look for swept-back headlights, a wide three-bar grille, narrow taillights, and a wide tailgate. Under the sheetmetal, it will share platform bits with the Nissan Navara, which is known as the Frontier in the U.S. The Mercedes-Benz X-Class should feature a double-cab arrangement on a ladder chassis, although the automaker is also eyeing a single cab offering. It will likely come with four- and six-cylinder engines fueled by gas or diesel.
The pickup will complement the automaker's light commercial vehicle offerings, including the Sprinter, Vito, and Citan vans. Different versions of the X-Class will appeal to different customers; a passenger-oriented model will feature luxurious amenities like leather and wood trim while other trucks will suit commercial purposes. The pickup is poised to compete with the up-market Volkswagen Amarok.
Auto Expresssays we can expect to see the X-Class concept at the Paris auto show in October. But it could be over a year until a production version finally goes on sale. According to Mercedes vans boss Volker Mornhinweg, the pickup will launch by the end of 2017. No word on whether the model will make its way to the U.S., but it should definitely hit Mercedes van dealerships in Germany and the U.K.
Source: Auto Express
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
Read More
