New Models

Mercedes-Benz X-Class could gain AMG styling pack, but won’t get a V8

The all-new Mercedes-Benz X-Class may have set chins wagging with its not-like-the-concept styling, but the German company could soon introduce a more heavily stylised version of the dual-cab ute.

Matt Campbell

00:2223 July 2017

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The head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, Volker Mornhinweg, told Australian media at the launch of the new X-Class ute there is no definite decision on whether there’ll be any involvement from the company’s performance side-arm, Mercedes-AMG.

“Wait and see,” Mornhinweg said. “I think the car is quite impressive, when it comes to the styling and so on.”

Mornhinweg then went on to crush the dreams of potential crossover shoppers who are looking to move to a dual-cab from a V8-powered Holden or Ford product.

“As I said, I think the product is not right for a V8. Therefore I think what the guys are doing is great. But I think so far we have decided nothing in that direction,” he said. “This is something that we will listen and look carefully.

Pictured above: A speculative 'X63' rendering by X-Tomi, below: the X-Class in 'Power' trim

“I think we have a strong line-up with three lines, and we will now go to the market – and then we will decide. So far we haven’t yet decided, but never say never.”

The X-Class will be sold in three trim grades – the entry-level Pure, mid-range Progressive and top-end Power, the latter two of which will be available with the punchiest turbo diesel engine in the ute segment, a 3.0-litre V6 with 190kW of power and 550Nm of torque.

A Mercedes-AMG X-Class will not eventuate, then. But taking a look at the front bumper of the X-Class Power, there seems to have been a little bit of room for some further styling to be added in the lower section. We’re not alone in thinking that the concept model with its more aggressive look was certainly a striking example of Benz styling.

Further, the vehicle has the ground clearance for a bit of extra bling around the bottom edges. They do it for the GLA, GLC, GLE and GLS SUVs, after all… and then all it would really take would be a set of bigger wheels, maybe 21s or 22s?