The head of Mercedes-Benz design says two pick-ups from the United States proved to be a “great source of inspiration” for the design of the X-Class concept.
Gorden Wagener, who also heads up design for Daimler AG, spent many years living in the US, and thus has plenty of first-hand experience with American pick-ups.
“I’m a true pick-up fan, as my home was in the US,” the 48-year-old told motoring.com.au.
“The most beautiful pickups are always the old-school [Ford] F-150 and [Chevrolet] Silverado; the US pick-ups, that’s the home ground,” he said. “I like them very much and [they were] a great source of inspiration.”
Interestingly, the production version of the X-Class will not be sold in North America. But Wagener points out that the upcoming Mercedes bakkie will target a different kind of customer.
“Of course, it has to be different – it’s more upper class, and it also targets more a lifestyle direction [than US pick-ups],” he told the Australian publication.
The production version of the X-Class will share its underpinnings with the Nissan Navara. The Mercedes bakkie will be built alongside the Navara and Renault Alaskan in Argentina and Spain, and is expected to launch in South Africa in 2018.
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