Merc Slots In Its Own Diesel V6 To Take On The Mighty Amarok. Let The Battle Begin.
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.
Esta historia es de la edición February 2019 de 4x4 Magazine Australia.
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Esta historia es de la edición February 2019 de 4x4 Magazine Australia.
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OUTBACK WATERING HOLES
SINCE OFF TRACK WINES WAS LAUNCHED, OWNERS ANNA AND BRETT FISHER HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 20,000KM UP, DOWN AND ACROSS AUSTRALIA SPRUIKING THEIR WINES-IN-A-CAN MADE FOR CAMPING. THEY DROPPED INTO PLENTY OF OUTBACK PUBS ALONG THE WAY AND THESE ARE THEIR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAVOURITES
BIG COUNTRY
THE PILBARA IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF BIG COUNTRY, AND THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE, DO AND ENJOY IN THIS ANCIENT LANDSCAPE IN WA'S RUGGED NORTHWEST
ISLAND PARADISE
NEAR THE TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST FOR EVERY AUSSIE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVER, K'GARI IS PACKED WITH STUNNING HIGHLIGHTS AND BOASTS SOME OF THE BEST BEACH DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY
WEIGHTLIFTING
INCREASING THE GVM OF YOUR 4X4 SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED IF YOU NEED IT. WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON OUR FORD RANGER TO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET IT RIGHT
NOW HEAR THIS
THE CEL-FI GO MOBILE BOOSTER WILL KEEP EMAILS, MESSAGES AND CALLS COMING THROUGH TO YOUR DEVICES WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS HEARING CRICKETS
LOOKING BACK
A PAIR OF MSA 4X4 TOWING MIRRORS ENSURE WE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND US WHEN WE HAVE A TRAILER HITCHED TO OUR MITSUBISHI TRITON
TRUCKIN' LIFE
CAN FORD AUSTRALIA'S NEW F-150 BE AN ACCOMPLISHED OFF-ROAD TOURING 4X4?
WHAT LURKS BENEATH
IT MAY LOOK LIKE A FAIRLY STANDARD (IF CLEAN) 80 SERIES, BUT DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER AND YOU'LL FIND A MONSTER BELOW THE SURFACE
EYE OF THE HURRICANE
RAM HAS DUMPED ITS HEMI V8FOR A SIX-CYLINDER, AND IT'S COMING TO AUSTRALIA
GETTING TANKED
GWM EXPANDS IT TANK 4X4 RANGE WITH THE LUXURIOUS TANK 500 WAGON