Mercedes-Benz ute spotted in Australia

X-Class concept arrives locally on promotional tour.

22 February 2017 David McCowen

Mercedes' new ute has made a trip to Australia. Photo: Michael Turbull

Mercedes-Benz' answer to the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger has touched down in Australia ahead of its official arrival in 2018.

Drive reader Michael Turnbull spotted a concept version of the new X-Class ute in Tullamarine, where the car was on its way to a local photo shoot.

The car in question is not a production vehicle, but one of two concepts produced by the brand in 2016. Mercedes has not revealed the final production version of its Nissan Navara-based pick-up, though it is expected to bear a close resemblance to the brand's concept machines.

The "Powerful Adventurer" ute concept has already made headlines around the world. Photo: Supplied

Mercedes-Benz Vans spokesman Blake Vincent says the X-Class is in Australia for promotional activities including a series of photo shoots that will be used to promote the vehicle. The car will also be presented to dealers, but it will not be available for public viewings.

For all the latest info, visit our Mercedes-Benz showroom

Drive Comments

10 Comments

Selector 2 | 2017-02-22 03:44:47

Should be pink.

Smokey | 2017-02-22 07:19:23

Looks good, be interesting to see how the production model turns out

Simiam Sam | 2017-02-22 08:02:37

Holy Christ. You think that thing looks good!

Car King Mad | 2017-02-22 08:14:02

This is a silly ute! It will probably only sell based on the crazy coverage its getting. It's everywhere! Though I did find some interesting comment on it (http://www.carconversation.com.au/opinions/the-mercedes-benz-x-class-premium-ute-or-a-fool-s-paradise) but regardless it will be too expensive for something that will be too expensive for practicality.

Sidney Mincing | 2017-02-22 09:47:46

That is NOT a ute

Gary Quinlan | 2017-02-22 10:34:35

@Sidney Mincing. Definitions change over time based on common usage of words. The term ute may once have been a strict definition of a utility function of a car, i.e. a Commodore or Falcon sedan DNA underpinning the utility offshoots. That was a very long time ago. If you lined up 10o people in the street and placed the Commodore and Falcon Utes alongside Hilux, DMax, Ranger et al and interspersed them with the Commodore, Falcon, Camry et al sedans then asked the 100 to pick out the utes, they would include everything but the sedans. Therefore, in 2017, the common definition of ute would include the Benz above.

Firdy | 2017-02-22 11:48:33

That's my new ute and I'll even take that colour. Our mercs will include an R, an E and and X. And this from a person who swore never to buy one due to snoot value but they're so damn good. Although I doubt it'll have the vinyl floor I really need, I'd love an X63 but i don't see that either (and that'd be dumb for work anyway) . Hurry up guys, I even gave the dealer a token $100.

Firdy | 2017-02-22 11:48:35

Lindsay | 2017-02-22 11:52:35

You may be surprised to learn that the term ute is only really used in Australia and NZ and refers to a passenger vehicle modified to have a utility (ute for short) application. In reality, Hilux's, Amoraks, isuzu's, Navara's and heaven forbid, the American crap and Triton's are not ute's. Having said that, Mercedes and Volvo etc make a lot of commercial vehicles so the more the merrier. We do need to raise the bar on the high jump. And no side airbags in the new Amarok? What were they thinking? Only Wolkswagen!