The world of automobile is changing faster than we can imagine.
Brands we have never associated with certain types of cars before, have now moved into those spaces.
The likes of Bentley and Lamborghini have now moved into the SUV space. Ten years ago, you wouldn’t have comprehended a bakkie wearing the three star sign. When the first press release landed in my inbox back in April 2015 about the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class, I wanted to dismiss it as an April fool’s joke.
It turned out at the time that the German car maker was dead serious. That memory has faded over time and many of us have gotten used to the Mercedes-Benz X-Class. The Germans acknowledged from early on that they have looked to the east for help to execute the massive task of building a bakkie. Fortunate enough, Nissan was there to lend a helping hand.
The German car maker has fulfilled the promise they made in May (during the first launch) that a more powerful V6 was in the pipeline.
The launch of the 3.0 six-cylinder V6 engine with 190kW and 550Nm has just made this segment more interesting than ever before considering that there is the Volkswagen Amarok V6 that has just recently got a refreshed engine. To put things into perspective, the Amarok 3.0 TDI V6 produces 190kW(from 165kW) and 580Nm, 30Nm more that the X-Class.
Two trim levels are available for the new addition Merc, Progressive and Power (Power being top of the range)
Back to the driving, we zigzagged the Western Cape roads including 4×4 trails and the X-Class proven some tolerance of such roads. It is capable of going of the road if needs be. However, I must point out that the X-Class would rather be at V & A Waterfront and Sandton pavements.
No matter how you look at it, these are interesting and fun times for all of us.
Mercedes-Benz seem to be growing in their new role as bakkie builders.
Pricing:
- X-Class Progressive: R904 188
- X-Class Power: R973 188
