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Written by Rowan Horncastle
Mercedes has spent the last few years valiantly plugging every car niche possible. But there"s one rather gaping hole in its portfolio: a one-tonne pick-up.It"s a highly-lucrative market, especially in places like Latin America, South Africa and Australia. And Merc is throwing a rather large stack of chips its way. Meet the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class, a pick-up with a penchant for posh.To show how serious it is at wading into this crowded and competitive market, Mercedes has produced not one, but two X-Class concepts: the Powerful Adventurer" (Ray Mears on steroids) and the Stylish Explorer" (Ranulph Fiennes in Ugg boots and a cashmere scarf). Let"s start with the Stylish Explorer". This embodies how Mercedes believes it can sway buyers and pick-up philosophy as a whole, by adding more car-like features and creature comforts to this normally grubby and utilitarian arm of motoring.As you can see, it"s very swanky. The front end is stylised with a bulbous power dome" bonnet, gaping air intakes and muscular wheel arches. It wears the same face as Mercedes SUVs, but the single-louvre grille with three-pointed star smack bang in the middle is a nod to its coup road cars. And check out the back: there"s an illuminated taillight that runs the whole perimeter of the tailgate. Very nice. Although the bling 22-inch alloys look rather tremendous, they"ll be more suited to Bicester Village than the backcountry.Same goes for the inside. It"s incredibly plush, with the marketing literature making it sound like a high-end whisky distillery. "The sensual touch and feel of the brown, very natural nubuck leather on the seats provides a cosy feel," we"re told. "This warm colour, which is also found on the dashboard, is combined with cool white nappa leather. The trim made of open-pore smoked oak contrasts with the brushed and polished aluminium trim elements." Perfect to pop an Egg McMuffin on the dash while parked up in the builder"s yard, then.
Date written: 25 Oct 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 5555
Mercedes has spent the last few years valiantly plugging every car niche possible. But there"s one rather gaping hole in its portfolio: a one-tonne pick-up.It"s a highly-lucrative market, especially in places like Latin America, South Africa and Australia. And Merc is throwing a rather large stack of chips its way. Meet the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class, a pick-up with a penchant for posh.To show how serious it is at wading into this crowded and competitive market, Mercedes has produced not one, but two X-Class concepts: the Powerful Adventurer" (Ray Mears on steroids) and the Stylish Explorer" (Ranulph Fiennes in Ugg boots and a cashmere scarf). Let"s start with the Stylish Explorer". This embodies how Mercedes believes it can sway buyers and pick-up philosophy as a whole, by adding more car-like features and creature comforts to this normally grubby and utilitarian arm of motoring.As you can see, it"s very swanky. The front end is stylised with a bulbous power dome" bonnet, gaping air intakes and muscular wheel arches. It wears the same face as Mercedes SUVs, but the single-louvre grille with three-pointed star smack bang in the middle is a nod to its coup road cars. And check out the back: there"s an illuminated taillight that runs the whole perimeter of the tailgate. Very nice. Although the bling 22-inch alloys look rather tremendous, they"ll be more suited to Bicester Village than the backcountry.Same goes for the inside. It"s incredibly plush, with the marketing literature making it sound like a high-end whisky distillery. "The sensual touch and feel of the brown, very natural nubuck leather on the seats provides a cosy feel," we"re told. "This warm colour, which is also found on the dashboard, is combined with cool white nappa leather. The trim made of open-pore smoked oak contrasts with the brushed and polished aluminium trim elements." Perfect to pop an Egg McMuffin on the dash while parked up in the builder"s yard, then.
Date written: 25 Oct 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 5555
