DRIVEN: a bakkie X 350d expensive for enthusiasts of Mercedes-Benz

The reaction of hardcore automotive media around Mercedes-Benz X-Class X 220 d and X 250 d models, which were launched locally earlier this year, was tepid to be honest.

It's no secret that they are based on Nissan's Navara, a bakkie that is experiencing little success in the South African market.

And the combination of engines and gearboxes of 120kW / 403Nm and 140kW / 450Nm Nissan is not really suitable. what i was expecting from a premium bakkie that you could easily spend R1 million on when you add some optional extras.

The engines were barely dynamic and the automatic gearbox even less. I thought that the firm hold of these early models did not suit the nature of the power delivery.

And there was no way, at the price, to recommend to anyone else that a loyal supporter of Mercedes – Benz to buy one. a Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux – and certainly not on the brilliant VW Amarok 165kW.

I've always thought that if a high-end manufacturer would bring a bakkie to the market, they would have to take out flaming weapons and change the market.

And that's why I felt that the X 350D was the model that they should have launched first.

There were many more important Mercedes-Benz parts under the skin on the X 350 d. The engine is a 3.0-liter V6 Merc turbodiesel engine with 190 kW and 550 Nm of torque, and the gearbox is a Merc 7G-Tronic Plus automatic unit with the 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive.

You now have a bakkie more like you expect a Mercedes-Benz to move, with a 0-100 km / h claimed to be only 7.5 sec with a top speed of 205 km / h.

Supporting the best adapted dynamics, you get the steering wheel With the gear selector and with the Dynamic Select system, which is fitted as standard, you can change the driving modes by turning the dial.

So you can comfortably compose a ride or ride

These modes change the engine response, the shift points of the automatic transmission and the Eco start / stop function, but obviously not the settings. suspension because it is still a bakkie with a frame.

The four-wheel-drive system and the long-suspension class X can climb slopes of up to 450, pass through the water up to a depth of 60 cm and maintain its balance on slopes of almost 500 km / h.

The numbers that will mean something for serious off-road are that you get an approach angle of 300 and a starting angle of 250, with a maximum tilt up to 49.80, a ramp-tilting angle up to 220 and one Being a Mercedes-Benz to a large extent, the X-Class offers a full range of comfort and safety features rarely seen in this segment.

For passive safety, standard equipment includes seven airbags and i-size mounting system for two child seats.

With active braking assistance and traffic sign assistance, two driver assistance systems are ready to simultaneously increase active safety and comfort

get active assistance Track maintenance, ESP trai A stabilization, a tire pressure monitoring system, an emergency call system, cruise control and LED headlights – as well as a camera reversing camera or a 3600 camera are available as an option.

You also benefit from a simulated air conditioning chrome underrun protection in the front bumper, chrome rear bumper, 18-inch six-spoke light alloy rims, dashboard with wide trim in a Matte black pixel look and with artificial-leather upper, artico and dinamica microfibre seats in optional black or hazel brown, electrically adjustable seats and audio infotainment system 20 CD with multifunctional touchpad

And as c & Is the standard among premium manufacturers, you can go as crazy as your wallet will allow when it comes to supplements and the wide range of accessories for this bakkie.

A rear window electrically opening, a sporty bar, which can be combined with a roll cover in black or silver, a choice of sty ling bar, hard cover, hardtop, stowage locker , load lining, load securing rails in the load bed and a underguard, to name a few.

People at Mercedes-Benz remember that they were the pioneers and brought to the world the first premium They believe that the international market for Bakkies is changing

The demand for Bakkis with typical characteristics of passenger cars and comfort features have been steadily increasing for years.

the time, the number of private bakkies increases – and asks any owner of Ford Ranger, they are no longer considered simply as "workhorses."

Speaking of competition, there is the not so small of the 190kW VW Amarok is about to counter this offer, and the X class is not the cheapest option.

But that has never been the case and time will tell if Mercedes-Benz has read the market properly. 19659033].