mercedes benz x class 020 ays0
Sam Charlwood17 Nov 2016
NEWS

The reason AMG isn’t touching the Mercedes X-Class

Is a dual-cab ute a stretch too far for AMG? It seems so, according to division boss

The new X-Class is many things to Mercedes-Benz: Ground-breaker, money-spinner and carrier of heavy loads.

However the incoming utility is not a performance vehicle. Period.

That's the word from Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers, who told motoring.com.au that the tuning division would not work its magic on the Nissan Navara-based dual-cab when it reaches production in 2018.

Speaking at the LA motor show, Moers quickly dismissed any thought of an AMG-tuned derivative, contrary to rampant speculation at the vehicle's launch in Sweden last month.

"No, there will be no AMG pickup," Moers said.

"Maybe there's a market for such a vehicle in Australia, but not in the overall plan."

mercedes benz x class 021 t2pq

AMG has been prolific in its involvement of Mercedes-Benz products, fettling an unprecedented number of models and boosting its global production significantly. The tuning division has also persisted with quirky numbers including its G-Class wagen, to much success.

But there is a clear distinction with the X-Class, which shares underpinnings with the Nissan Navara and will be built at a Nissan factory: it is not exactly a Mercedes-borne vehicle, even though it has received significant input from Germany.

Moers cited a lack of volume as a key driver in the decision, but there are also questions around whether an AMG ute would wash well with the Mercedes brand.

In the meantime, Australian buyers will need to make do with the X-Class' most powerful engine, Daimler's 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6.

In the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d, that engine delivers 190kW and 620Nm, which would easily make it Australia's most powerful ute.

Things may eventually change. According to Mercedes' global chief executive, Dieter Zetsche, there is "no plan" for an AMG-badged super ute – yet.

"But you never know," he said in Sweden last month, adding: "we'll see how the market goes and how this product will be received in the marketplace".

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