INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH
Most car-like bakkie is a matter of class
Lindsay Vine Smyth drove the new Mercedes X-Class in Chile to see if it is worthy of the badge
Chile is a land of contrasts: sunny skies and snow-capped mountains; skyscrapers and shacks; and where the sophistication of the capital, Santiago, juxtaposes with the simplicity of its many villages. Fitting then that Mercedes-Benz chose this South American country as the location for the launch of its premium pick-up, the X-Class, for this is indeed a car of contrasts. First unveiled as a concept in Sweden, in the flesh the X-Class is disappointing in comparison. From the front it is impressive, sleek and unmistakably a Mercedes, but the design department knocked off for sauerkraut and a schnitzel at that point. Gone are the interesting lines we saw on the concept’s body panels, lending welcome funk to the otherwise boring design basis that makes up a bakkie. It looks familiar, but the German execs are prickly at the mention of the N word. It’s no secret the newcomer is based on the Nissan Navara’s platform, but what everyone wants to know is how much three-pointed star they’re bu...
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