BETTER PARTSA new star in heaven pick-up?
Stockholm / Stuttgart, 25 October 2016
Yes, there are still gaps and niches in the Mercedes model. The Swabians have SUVs while now in all sizes and shapes at the start, but what was missing until now was na? just, a pick-up. Curtain on for the first premium Lastentier, curtain on the first design study of the new X-class.
Large investments are needed
"With the pick-up of Mercedes we close one of the last gaps in our portfolio. Our goal: We want to offer every customer exactly the right vehicle to his. The X-class will set new standards in a growing segment in", Mercedes boss Dr. Dieter Zetsche explained. For this rugged lifestyle and family vehicle gap filler must Daimler AG reach deep into the Pocket. Investing is a not quantified and hundreds of millions of francs.
Two design studies, different applications
The two now presented design studies with double CAB will provide a first clue in terms of optics. Because the model in "Lemonaxmetallic", which acts as the adventurer with hard plastic applications, choices tires 35 x 11, 50 and a height of 1.90 meters would be one. Besides Mercedes has a noble representative of pick-up, which seems appropriate with 22-inch wheels and a high-quality interior (leather, aluminum, open-porous oak and co.) rather for the trip to the Opera to the cattle market.
Diverse target groups
The target group? According to Mercedes this ranges from the "trend-conscious, premiumaffinen individualists" and to the "soybean farmers in Brazil". Normal families and contractors in the core markets of Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Europe are between these two extremes.
Known connectivity and assistance
Even if Mercedes wants to draw up an own range of accessories with a cargo area cover, or various styling elements, you do without because the module strategy in the Interior known components of the C or V class. Examples? The infotainment system with all its connectivity and advanced assistance systems.
A V6-top model. And otherwise?
The drive program, Mercedes extremely so far only sparsely. The speech is of a V6 diesel top model with all-wheel drive, off-road gear and two differential locks. Together with the rugged ladder frame is a payload of 1.1 tons and a pulling force of up to 3.5 tonnes. Which aggregates and drive concepts will be still used, is speculation so far. Be expected in may but also with the 2.3 liter four-cylinder diesel engine (there is him with 163 and 190 PS) from the relatives of the base Nissan Navara NP300, rear-wheel drive and different gearing.
Market introduction is planned for end of 2017
What do we know yet? Because between Daimler and Renault-Nissan Alliance is a community of production, the pick-up is produced for the European, Australian and South African market at the Nissan plant in Barcelona. The X-class for the Latin American market will run, however, at the Renault factory in Cordoba, Argentina by the band. The market launch is planned for the end of 2017. (ml)