Mercedes Concept X-CLASS arrives as a Premium Mercedes Pick Up

The Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS has arrived as possibly the world’s first ‘Premium’ pick up, ahead of a production launch in late 2017

There was a time when Mercedes-Benz made premium cars only at the top of the market; a Mercedes S-Class or an E-Class, if you must.

But ‘Premium’ has trickled down the Mercedes range in recent years and now encompasses everything from the really rather small Mercedes A Class on up.

But now we get a new Mercedes we didn’t really expect until quite recently in the Mercedes-Benz X-Class Premium Pick Up, previewed as a concept ahead of a production pick up in  late 2017.

Built on the same platform as the Nissan Navara and Renault Alaskan pick ups, the X-Class is being previewed in two guises – the Concept X-Class Powerful Adventurer and Concept X-Class Stylish Explorer – with the former a tough off-roader and the latter a premium model with car refinement and equipment.

Mercedes are aiming to cash-in on the growing trend for double cab pick ups – fuelled in the UK by significant tax breaks for business owners as they’re classed as a commercial vehicle – but with a ‘Premium’ badge (and probably premium price (no other maker currently offers.

The X-Class is clearly rooted in the Navara, but Mercedes has made it a Mercedes by design, especially with the huge, in yer face front end, but also with huge statement wheels and posh lights and an interior which looks Mercedes, just tough and ready for anything Mercedes.

Powertrains are straight from the Navara, although it does seem likely there will be a decent 3.0 litre diesel from Mercedes as the top offering.

Expect other German makers to follow suit as soon as they’ve decided Mercedes has hit the spot with a Premium pick up.