A Class Act

The Shake-Up Of The Dual-Cab Market Has Begun, With The Australian Launch Of The X-Class.

- Justin Walker

MERCEDES-BENZ’S foray into the burgeoning 4x4 dual-cab ute market has begun, with the Australian launch of the X-Class. The workhorse Benz is available in three models – Pure, Progressive and Power – with a total of 13 variants (including some 2WDs in the base-spec Pure) across this spread, and a choice of two diesel powerplants: a single-turbo 2.3-litre fourcylinder (dubbed X220d and putting out 120kW and 403Nm), or a 140kW/450Nm bi-turbo 2.3-litre four cylinder, aka X250d. The pricing for 4x4 models starts at $50,400 for the Pure X220d with sixspeed manual, and tops out at $64,500 for the fully loaded Power X250d with the seven-speed automatic option ticked. All four-cylinder X-Class 4x4 utes are dualrange, part-time 4x4. The much-discussed 190kW/550Nm TDV6 variant (with permanent all-wheel drive and dual range case) will join the roster late 2018. The X-Class will only be available in dual-cab format. (It’s worth noting that MercedesBenz Vans Australia reps didn’t discount a future single-cab model.)

A CLASS OF ITS OWN