• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Mercedes-Benz - midsize luxury pickup truck - Wait, what?

Dragonfly

Dragonfly

DP Veteran
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
31,346
Reaction score
19,884
Location
East Coast - USA
Gender
Undisclosed
Political Leaning
Centrist
BBC - Autos - X-Class is the Mercedes-Benz of pickups

All X-Class trucks will feature a stout ladder-frame structure, torque-rich V6 engines and permanent all-wheel drive. The debut event was heavy on adjectives, light on numbers, but Mercedes says the truck will be sufficently muscular to haul four cubic metres of firewood and tow a sailboat at the same time. Because, you know, outdoors.
Click to expand...

The off-road model actually looks pretty cool. Love the tries on it. :mrgreen:

I just wonder if there's a market for people who want both a Mercedes, and a pickup truck.
 
Perfect for... no one.
 
Probably the same market as for other luxury "off-road" vehicles. Doesn't every off-road vehicle need a leather interior and plush carpeting? ;)
 
Last edited:
ttwtt78640 said:
Probably the same market as for other luxury "off-road" vehicles. Doesn't every off-road vehicle need a leather interior and plush carpeting? ;)
Click to expand...

I'm wondering if the price point will put it in line with Range Rovers and such.
 
Dragonfly said:
I can't wait to see the price tag on it. :shock:


Oh - and you just know one of those idiot Kartrashians will be driving one soon enough.
Click to expand...

Not for US production - Europe and Australia etc

Sounds like an answer for a question that has not been asked.
 
OrphanSlug said:
Perfect for... no one.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that. It's for the upper class rednecks like the ones I see jacking up their pickups to the sky and putting $20k suspension on it then don't DARE let it go off asphalt or touch a speck of dirt.
 
poweRob said:
I wouldn't say that. It's for the upper class rednecks like the ones I see jacking up their pickups to the sky and putting $20k suspension on it then don't DARE let it go off asphalt or touch a speck of dirt.
Click to expand...

That would be an interesting sight... for pure laughter reasons.

This Mercedes "luxury pickup truck" with an 8 inch lift kit and a sticker upside down on the window reading "if you can read this, flip me over."
 
Dragonfly said:
BBC - Autos - X-Class is the Mercedes-Benz of pickups



The off-road model actually looks pretty cool. Love the tries on it. :mrgreen:

I just wonder if there's a market for people who want both a Mercedes, and a pickup truck.
Click to expand...

4 cubic meters of firewood???? I put the average american half ton through that as a means to warm up it's engine before hauling real stuff. Seriously it seems their market is not someone who needs a truck, but someone who wants a luxury sports car with a bed.

It seems in line with a honda ridgeline, which is a front wheel drive layout, and not much better than a civic with a bed, a novelty for some people but useless for most.

Fyi if mercedes wanted to build a killer truck, they should remake the german military suvs mercedes sells them but with a bed, those were actually heavy duty and designed for abuse.
 
poweRob said:
I wouldn't say that. It's for the upper class rednecks like the ones I see jacking up their pickups to the sky and putting $20k suspension on it then don't DARE let it go off asphalt or touch a speck of dirt.
Click to expand...

I hate those people and those trucks. I like my 4x4 but too lifted makes it less offroad capable due to high center of gravity, plus I like my 4x4 in the mud, does not matter if it is once or twice a year, I got a 4x4 for a reason and it was not to stay solely on pavement.

Needless to say I drive my ranger mostly, fuel mileage is around 30 mpg highway, has plenty of torque, and is my daily driver. My 84 dodge has been sitting too long since I have not needed it's 4x4 for a while, The ignition module for the msd went out, and I am too cheap and lazy to spend $140 and get a factory setup.
 
MB is a major commercial and utility manufacturer. They have commercial vans in all sizes internationally so a pickup would not be far off that market. The size is right for the non north American market. Look at the new ranger, the VW pickup and the Chevrolet Colorado as a size comparison. The Ford F150 is just too large for the roads internationally, heck they are too big for parking spots in Canada ( I have one mind you).

As for costs, you can get the price of an F150 up to 70 grand and the interior plastics are the same as the 30 grand one
 
beerftw said:
I hate those people and those trucks. I like my 4x4 but too lifted makes it less offroad capable due to high center of gravity, plus I like my 4x4 in the mud, does not matter if it is once or twice a year, I got a 4x4 for a reason and it was not to stay solely on pavement.

Needless to say I drive my ranger mostly, fuel mileage is around 30 mpg highway, has plenty of torque, and is my daily driver. My 84 dodge has been sitting too long since I have not needed it's 4x4 for a while, The ignition module for the msd went out, and I am too cheap and lazy to spend $140 and get a factory setup.
Click to expand...

I can't stand the jacked up pick-ups that have aggressive drivers where I look in my rear-view and all I see is a grill because they are so close.
 
A wise choice I think. Look at Porsche with it's car sales down and Cayenne sales way up. How long before Porsche say's: hmmm, a truck?
 
Dragonfly said:
BBC - Autos - X-Class is the Mercedes-Benz of pickups



The off-road model actually looks pretty cool. Love the tries on it. :mrgreen:

I just wonder if there's a market for people who want both a Mercedes, and a pickup truck.
Click to expand...

This really isn’t a pick-up truck, It’s more on the lines of the Honda Pilot. Mercedes has done well with the sprinter line of mid size and full size cargo vans though. They are a bit more to purchase than US or Japanese but you get that back with lower maintenance and longevity.

If I was to make a toy purchase of a pick-up it sure wouldn’t be like the Benz, I would go all in for the 700hp Ford Shelby Raptor.
 
poweRob said:
I can't stand the jacked up pick-ups that have aggressive drivers where I look in my rear-view and all I see is a grill because they are so close.
Click to expand...



There are reasons to lift 4x4s, Mainly to get extra ground clearance with bigger rubber. I set up a jeep some years back with a four inch lift, 3” on the suspension and 1” body. It wasn’t overly stupid but it was definitely modified. I used it to get in and out of my hunting/fishing cabin, It was cheaper to modify the vehicle than have the 12 mile dirt road more passable, a bonus was the rough trail also deterred trespassers. As for center of gravity, yes it is a factor but not as much as you think. If you lift a 4x4 correctly it’s the extra suspension travel working not the body tilting or going off center. Sadly my son wrecked this jeep, after I just purchased a designated vehicle for the road itself and it stays there.

Swedish army surplus Pinzgauer 710.

https://www.google.com/search?q=197..._HsvvPAhVJ7IMKHSeoA6YQsAQILg&biw=1913&bih=832
 
woodsman said:
There are reasons to lift 4x4s, Mainly to get extra ground clearance with bigger rubber. I set up a jeep some years back with a four inch lift, 3” on the suspension and 1” body. It wasn’t overly stupid but it was definitely modified. I used it to get in and out of my hunting/fishing cabin, It was cheaper to modify the vehicle than have the 12 mile dirt road more passable, a bonus was the rough trail also deterred trespassers. As for center of gravity, yes it is a factor but not as much as you think. If you lift a 4x4 correctly it’s the extra suspension travel working not the body tilting or going off center. Sadly my son wrecked this jeep, after I just purchased a designated vehicle for the road itself and it stays there.

Swedish army surplus Pinzgauer 710.

https://www.google.com/search?q=197..._HsvvPAhVJ7IMKHSeoA6YQsAQILg&biw=1913&bih=832
Click to expand...

Those are cool. There's one that is a tourist tour bus that goes around Santa fe here showing off the sites.

Id like to get an old willys jeep and actually street mod it. Lower it just a bit from original but not drop it. Put in possibly a Volkswagen TDI 4 cylinder engine. Not for off roading but just for fun.
 
OrphanSlug said:
Perfect for... no one.
Click to expand...

The appeal of a Mercedes-Benz went away a long time ago for me.

My first was a 280 model. The engine block cracked at 36k miles. They gave me a replacement engine which developed carb problems to which the repair people seemed to have no clue how to fix it.

While waiting for the umpteenth time for them to try and fix the problem, there was a 300D turbo diesel in the showroom. I asked to test drive the car and that same afternoon I drove home in it.

At around 83k miles the engine rings went out. That was the end of my "love affair" with the Mercedes brand.

I have since had Nissan and Honda cars which proved to be much, much more reliable.

BTW: Just by chance I came across the 280 at a restaurant. I asked the current owner about the car and what he told me was that it was an electrical problem.

I guess I was never meant to drive the Mercedes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom