Ahead of its public reveal at the Geneva Motor Show next week, Mercedes-Benz has revealed its V6-powered X-Class.
THE MERCEDES-BENZ X-CLASS will launch Down Under very soon and has just been awarded a five-star ANCAP rating with the news that it’s the first ute to offer AEB. And the good news continues, with the German car maker revealing its V6-powered X-Class ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
The X 350 d 4MATIC arrives with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine making 190kW and 550Nm of torque from 1400-3200rpm, this is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and the thing will get to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. There’s no word on when the top-spec model will be added to the Australian line-up but it’s not expected to go on-sale in Europe until the middle of the year.
Currently, the most powerful ute on-sale in Australia, in this segment, is the V6 Amarok with 180kW and 550Nm of torque…after their war of words when the X-Class was being teased, Mercedes-Benz has the last word, with its more-power X-Class V6. Ouch.
The X 350 d 4MATIC features Mercedes-Benz’s DYNAMIC SELECT system which offers five driving modes:
- Comfort (C): This mode is activated automatically when the engine starts. It provides comfort-emphasising, harmonious accelerator characteristics as well as early shift points.
- ECO (E): 7G-TRONIC PLUS changes the gears at particularly low engine speeds.
- Sport (S): The engine responds more immediately to throttle input. The automatic transmission makes use of the entire engine speed range to change gears, and shifts at higher engine speeds.
- Manual (M): The automatic transmission can be manually operated using the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel. This appreciably shortens the shift times compared with the Comfort and ECO modes.
- Offroad (O): This mode is suitable for driving on challenging terrain. It offers higher switch points and a flatter, and therefore more precisely adjustable, accelerator characteristic curve.
The ECO start/stop function is active in all driving modes except Offroad (O) mode.
The X 350 d 4MATIC is permanent four-wheel drive with a torque split of 40:60. “This rear-based configuration ensures improved vehicle dynamics and higher lateral acceleration on the road, and better traction during acceleration,” Mercedes-Benz said.
There are three different four-wheel drive modes: 4MAT and 4H for travelling on dirt roads. 4L mode (low range) is also selectable, with a reduction gearing of 1:2.9. In addition, a 100% rear differential lock is also available.
There’s the formula!
All wheel drive & enough power. Simples.
Now we just need the mainstream manufacturers to use it, and add a Fox Racing Suspension setup or similar.
It’s not that hard.