Mercedes-Benz ute goes Extreme

Two wild, modified versions of Mercedes-Benz' premium X-Class ute  aimed at outdoor enthusiasts  are now available in Australia– for either sale or rent.

Pickup Design studios has dubbed its tough-truck X-Class make-over the EXY Extreme, adding serious mud-slinging abilities to the German one tonne pick-up.

The EXY Extreme package features a Pedders suspension lift kit that jacks the vehicle by an extra 30mm. It also adds 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Black Bear mud-terrain tyres with a wider track to match the rubber/metal wheel-arch extensions.

While an aggressive front bumper section, along with a colour-coded front bash plate, bonnet lip, power bulge and headlight frames bring more eye candy to the front-end.

A Lazer roof-mounted LED light bar also adds some menace, while the ute's flanks feature metal side steps.

Take a gander at the chunky pick-up's rear-end and you'll also see a stylised sports bar – or sail plane, if you like – backed up by a completely revised rear bumper section featuring a spoiler and wrap-around protective body mouldings.

Graphics can be added to the car's body panels if you require even more visual punch, as can Pickup Design badges.

The interior fit-out was created by Carlex Design, a Polish company best known for trimming up exotic and luxury cars, not to mention motor yachts.

As such, sports seats with Nappa leather and Alcantara upholstery are part of the package, as is a custom steering wheel, floor mats, Carlex Design logos and a limited-edition plaque.

Customers can also order a special 'V8 exhaust sound system' designed to make the ute sound tougher. The acoustics can be modified on the run via smartphone app.

However, there are no mechanical changes to the Benz ute’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel worth 190kW and 550Nm.

In total, only 250 EXY Extreme kits will be offered globally, one of which has already been purchased in Australia - at almost $50K. The vehicle in these images and video is based on a Mercedes-Benz X-Class 350d (priced from $73,270), meaning the ute you see here costs well over $120,000 plus on-road costs.

X-Terrain for fit campers

Meanwhile, Apollo Campers has expanded its range of off-road rentals with a new ute camper based on the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, featuring an unusual two roof-top tent set-up.

Called the X-Terrain, the four-berth camper is based on the entry-level X 250 d 4MATIC POWER with a Styling pack, and comes fitted with two manual pop up roof top tents, a 270 degree extendable awning and integrated kitchen system by VanEssa mobilcamping.

According to Apollo the manual pop-top tents sit side-by-side comfortably sleeping two people in each pod. The 270 degree awning is free standing, and can be held in place with guy ropes during inclement weather.

Weighing around 250kg, the VanEssa heavy-duty module slides out from under the rear tray canopy and features a small camp kitchen. An auxiliary battery mounted in the tray powers a chest fridge/freezer, and it includes a two-burner gas cooker and washing-up facilities plus space for crockery and supplies.

Also part of the X-Terrain package is  a 26 litre water tank and solar handheld shower, and the canopy can bear a roof load of 100kg (dynamic) and 400kg (static).

The X-Terrain is available for collection and return at Apollo’s branches in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin and Perth. The daily rental rate is around $250 depending on season, not including extras.