The launch of any new Mercedes-Benz model signals the forthcoming arrival of an angrier, more powerful Brabus-tuned version, and the X-Class ute is no different.
The boffins within German-based Brabus are famous for tinkering with luxury Mercs, but the X-Class provided the company's first chance to re-imagine the humble workers ute.
Of course Brabus were going to give the X-Class more get-up-and-go (we'll get to that soon). Yet more surprising is the work the company's designers have done inside the cabin to take the ute beyond Mercedes levels of luxury.
To give the first X-Class an even more custom and exclusive appearance, Brabus developed a designer suit with sporty-elegant styling kit including stainless scuff plates and aluminium pedals and footrest. Each Brabus X-Class interior is tailored to the requests of their customers, so anything is possible, but the company upholstery shop will start work with Brabus seats in any colour you'd like, stitched with the finest leather and Alcantara.
In the case of the X-Class, Brabus powerplant engineers have given the ute more power and torque without touching the internals. For the X 250d, Brabus developed the D4 PowerXtra performance upgrade, described as a 'simple plug-and-play instillation' tuning module.
The new ECU, which can be installed by any authorised Mercedes-Benz workshop in under an hour, boosts the output of the 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel eninge by 15kW and 60Nm.
With a peak output of 155 kW at 3,500 rpm and 510Nm torque of 510 Nm on tap constantly between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm, the Brabus X-Class accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 11.5 seconds. But more importantly for the ute segment, the extra torque increases pulling power.
With any Brabus-enhanced Mercedes, the three-pointed logo is replaced with a Brabus item intergrated on the front grille and rear tailgate.
The company also added lighting bars on the roof of the X-Class. This component features twelve powerful LEDS on either side and will flash into life when the driver uses the flashers or high beams.
For the X-Class, Brabus developed a set of tailor-made Monoblock X wheels, featuring seven pairs of twin-spokes. The one-piece wheels are shod with 285/45 R 20 high-performance tires supplied by Brabus' technology partners Continental, Pirelli or Yokohama.
Four tailpipes featuring a classic Brabus sport exhaust design completes the exterior enhancement package.
If you were hoping that Brabus would turn the whick up even further with the X-Class, fear now. The company is already in the development stage of an 'extensive performance upgrade' package for the soon to be launched X 350d top-of-the-range model.
