Mercedes lobs X350d Edition 1 pick-up

MERCEDES-BENZ Vans Australia has released a limited-edition top-spec version of its X-Class pick-up, with the black-accented X350d Edition 1 to arrive in local showrooms priced from $87,500 plus on-road costs.

Based on the top-spec X350d Power and arriving in July, the Edition 1 is priced $8085 above its donor vehicle, making it the most expensive mid-sized pick-up available on the Australian market.

The Edition 1 is exclusive to the Australian market and arrives in the country in Power form before being locally fitted with its range of accessories.

The German brand has not put a limit on the number of Edition 1s available, but it hopes to sell around 200 to 300 units over its approximately 12 months of availability.

Helping justify its price premium over the X350d Power, the Edition 1 adds a number of black-themed enhancements that help it stand out against the crowd.

The changes start with black Edition 1 badging along the car’s front wheelarches, and blacked-out elements including on the tailgate badging, the three-pointed star front and back, the twin-louvred front grille, exterior door and tailgate handles, foglight surrounds, roof rails and the front and rear bumper-bar valances.

Sports stripes have been added to the bonnet, side mirrors, V6 badge surrounds lower side sills and tailgate.

A number of blacked-out accessories have also been fitted, including 19-inch six twin-spoke alloy wheels, a sports bar, tubed side steps, a hard tonneau cover and a bedliner.

Continuing the monochrome theme, three exterior paint colours will be offered on the Edition 1 – Kabara Black, Rock Grey and Bering White.

When opting for Kabara Black, the accessories are finished in a high-gloss finish with contrasting grey sports stripes, while the grey and white hues feature black stripes and matte accessories.

Inside, the Edition 1 scores embroidered floor mats bearing its name and a chrome Edition 1 badge on the passenger side of the dashboard, to go with already-standard kit such as the heated leather seats, rear privacy glass and an electric rear window.

No changes have been made over the Power’s engine, namely a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 outputting 190kW/550Nm, teamed to a seven-speed automatic transmission with a full-time four-wheel drive system, a low-range transfer case and a rear differential lock.

Through the first four months of the year, Mercedes-Benz Vans has sold 712 examples of the X-Class, with the significant majority coming in 4x4 guise.

Despite anticipating that the V6 – which touched down locally in February – would be the more popular engine choice, Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia said the four-cylinder range has so far outsold its more powerful and expensive counterpart.