Mercedes-Benz X-Class demand builds as UK dealers open the order books

Mercedes has yet to whisk the covers off its first mass-market dual cab utility, yet it appears overseas demand for the high-end ute is already so strong that some dealers are already taking deposits.

To be built on top of the same ladder-frame architecture that underpins the Nissan Navara, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class was been previewed last year with a pair of concepts – one a road-biased version, the other a jacked-up bush-basher wearing knobbly tyres.

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The eventual production-spec version of those concepts hasn’t made its first public appearance, but the German automaker has indicated the showroom-spec Mercedes-Benz X-Class will be faithful to the concept’s appearance. Regardless, strong demand has prompted Mercedes-Benz UK to open the order books early.

UK buyers keen on being the first to get their hands on the new X-Class can secure their spot in the queue by placing a refundable £1000 deposit (AU$1640) via the company’s consumer site (above). Final pricing is, naturally, some time away from being finalised.

At this stage Mercedes-Benz Australia hasn’t announced whether it will follow suit with a paid reservation scheme for the X-Class, though with at least twelve months to go until its local on-sale date there’s plenty of time for interested buyers to place their order.

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When it arrives, expect the Mercedes-Benz X-Class to feature a Nissan-sourced 2.3-litre twin turbo diesel four-cylinder as the mainstay engine, with a Mercedes turbo diesel V6 in range-topping models. Unlike the Navara that it shares its bones with, the X-Class is likely to only be offered in a dual-cab bodystyle.

Interior fit-out will feature a strong Mercedes influence, unlike the X-Class and Navara’s other cousin, the Renault Alaskan, which shares much of its cabin furnishings with the Nissan.

Local features and pricing will be released closer to the X-Class’ 2018 launch.