The fact that Mercedes wants to release its very own pick-up truck into the motoring world isn’t news, but its impending debut that could apparently happen this year is.
Daimler’s idea of such a vehicle is backed up by Renault – Nissan, as we saw from the spy-pics taken of the Navara NP300-tailored Merc test mule. This latest association adds another vehicle to the alliance’s long list of collaborations, especially as the rumor holds that the vehicle will be built at Nissan plants.
According to Auto Express’ unnamed source, the Mercedes-branded 4×4 pick-up is expected to make its very first public appearance at the Paris Auto Show, probably in concept form. That means the automobile’s official production-spec variant could show its face as early as 2017 – a detail specified by Mercedes vans CEO Volker Mornhinweg.
Whether it’s going to be called the X-Class or something else it remains to be seen, but the pick-up’s underpinnings will most likely be “borrowed” from the Navara, although Mercedes is believed to offer more engine options than the Japanese truck’s 2.3-litre diesel engine. Apparently there’s even word of a petrol-hybrid variant, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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