X-Drive

FIRST FANG IN MERC’S X-CLASS UTE IMPRESSES, BUT LEAVES A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

- Matt Raudonikis

LET’S GET this straight right from the get-go: Mercedes-Benz’s new X-Class ute is a lot more than just a Nissan Navara with a flash grille tacked on to it. The Germans have given the donor D23 a thorough going-over to create the X-Class, and the version that wears the three-pointed star is a completely different vehicle.

Yes, the X is built on the Nissan chassis, but the chassis rails have been braced and altered where needed to improve NVH and dynamics. Chassis cross-members have been altered and an extra one added for the same reason, and the suspension mounting points tweaked. The axles under the chassis are wider by some 70mm, and the rear axle is a Mercedes-Benz unit that features disc brakes in lieu of drums.

The double-cab body comes from the Nissan, but all the external sheet-metal is new, the cabin is wider and, as such, both the front and rear screens are wider. Only the side glass is carried over. The new roof panel bulges upwards to allow a taller seating position in the rear pew, and the all-new cargo tub is bigger than the Navara’s. The body has been braced where needed, and extensive sound insulation has been used to reduce cabin NVH.

The four-cylinder engine and driveline is carried over from the Navara, but Mercedes played with the engine mounts and used its own engine control software to reduce engine noise. Power and torque figures remain the same as they are in the Navvie. The seven-speed auto is as used in the Navara, as is the six-speed manual; however, Benz has implemented a cable-linked gear shifter to again reduce vibration in the cabin.