Face Off

Merc Slots In Its Own Diesel V6 To Take On The Mighty Amarok. Let The Battle Begin.

- Toby Hagon

IT'S WAR in the bush, at least when it comes to dual-cab utes, and the latest weapon of choice is the V6 turbodiesel. Ending an era dominated by four cylinders – and a rampant five-pot – Volkswagen unleashed its V6 Amarok on the emerging top-end dual-cab market in 2016. It’s something newcomer Mercedes-Benz couldn’t let slide, with a new arrival – the X350d – that sets up the ultimate German duel.

In decades of taking to the bush, Australians have largely relied on Japanese vehicles to get them out and back again. Even utes – once the domain of local manufacturers – are these days largely the domain of the Japanese. But Europe is fighting back, and big power is the artillery.

Those spending big on the Amarok Ultimate now get a performance upgrade in the form of a more potent tune from the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, something that brings a 580 badge. From traditional luxury fare comes the hotly anticipated V6 version of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, known as the X350d. Each will drain close to $80K from your bank account and each can hold its head high against luxury machinery.

But what are they like where it counts – in the Aussie bush?

MERCEDES-BENZ X350D

IT’S NOT even a year on the market and already the X-Class family has expanded to include the vehicle many have been anticipating, the one with a V6 engine. While the X250d uses a proven Nissan/Renault four-cylinder powertrain, the X350d keeps things in-house, utilising a 3.0-litre all-Benz V6 also used in various other Mercs.

It’s an engine with pedigree, then, and one planned to broaden the appeal of a vehicle that’s got off to a slow start in the sales race, the price premium no doubt deterring the ute faithful; for every X sold Toyota shifts about 20 Hiluxes. But the V6 injects some much needed German flavour.