STUTTGART: At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class will make its world premier with a powerful six-cylinder engine and a 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

Furthermore, order-taking will commence for the X-Class that will be priced in Europe from Euro 53,360 (RM260,000) and will come with Keyless-Go and THERMOTRONIC 2-zone air conditioning as standard.

There will be two variants available for the X 350 d 4MATIC in the form of the entry-level Progressive and range-topping Power.

A third Pure variant is also available and looks to attract commercial users with its bare-bone offerings that includes a four-cylinder diesel and a four-cylinder petrol - both with a six-speed manual - offer a payload of up to 1.1 tonnes and a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes. A 7-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC AWD system are optional extras for the diesel variant.

This means the model range for lifestyle users will start off with the Progressive, which will wear air vents in electroplated silver chrome, have leather-lined steering wheel and parking brake, seats in black Posadas fabric (optionally ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre).

The infotainment system will be an eight-speaker Audio 20 USB system and it will roll on 17-inch 6-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels in black with a high-sheen finish that's available for the Pure and Progressive variants.

As for the Power variant, it includes a simulated, chrome-plated under-ride guard in the front bumper, a chrome-plated rear bumper, LED High Performance headlamps, dashboard with large trim element in a matt black pixel look and with upper section in ARTICO man-made leather.

The electrically adjustable seats are upholstered in ARTICO man-made leather / DINAMICA microfibre (optionally black or nut brown leather), as the infotainment system Audio 20 CD with a multi-functional touchpad plays the driver's preferred tunes.

For grip, the Power rolls on a choice of either 18-inch 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels in black with a high-sheen finish or 19-inch multi-spoke light-alloy wheels in tremolite grey with a high-sheen finish. Both wheels are available for Progressive and Power variants.

Output comes from a 3.0-litre (2,987cc) V6 single-stage variable geometry turbo-diesel engine that uses Nanoslide cylinder liner coating (used in the company's Formula 1 endeavors) and has an output of 258hp at 3,400rpm and 550Nm of torque from 1,400 to 3,200rpm.

Consequently, the X-Class will be able to sprint from 0-100kph in 7.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 205kph, while fuel economy on the combined cycle has been rated at 9.0 litres per 100km and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at 237g per kilometre.

A seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus with paddle-shifters and Dynamic Select (with five driving modes of Comfort, ECO, Sport, Manual and Offroad) manages power delivery to the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) system with rear-biased 40:60 torque distribution. The ECO start/stop function helps to further enhance fuel economy and is active in all driving modes except Offroad mode.

The AWD system uses a two-stage transfer case which is flange-mounted to the transmission. It is further fitted with a central differential of planetary design which distributes the drive force between the front and rear axle with a fixed torque distribution of 40:60 percent.

This rear-based configuration ensures improved vehicle dynamics and higher lateral acceleration on the road, and better traction during acceleration.

Optimum traction on any off-road terrain is guaranteed by a continuously adjustable longitudinal differential in the transfer case, in the form of an electromechanical multiplate clutch. This ensures that the traction potential of all four wheels is fully realised on demanding terrain.

There are three different all-wheel drive modes: 4MAT for increased vehicle dynamics and 4H for improved traction off-road. 4L mode (low range) is also selectable, with a reduction gearing of 1:2.9. In addition, a 100% differential lock is available for the rear axle if desired.

To simplify, the AWD system is able to help the X-Class traverse up gradients of up to 45 degrees and with 222mm of ground clearance, it is able to wade through water up to 600mm deep and somehow able to maintain its poise on inclines of almost 50 degrees.

The list of accessories include new items such as sports bar, the rollcover in black and the softcover, styling bar and hardtop to a load bed lining, anchoring rails in the load bed as well as a stowage crate and underbody protection.

It's also going to be fitted with a communication module that has a permanently installed SIM card so that X-Class drivers in more than 20 European markets can benefit from the comprehensive range of Mercedes me connect services and are able to access the vehicle via smartphone.

The services include Live Traffic Information, Mercedes-Benz emergency call system, basic service Maintenance Management and special service Vehicle Monitoring, with which major functions of the pickup can be set using a smartphone, tablet or PC - at any time and from anywhere with internet connection.

This also includes Vehicle Location, Vehicle Monitoring and Geofencing and the services can be configured and managed via the Mercedes me portal or the Mercedes me app. If the Mercedes me App is used, complete door-to-door navigation is also possible.

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