Cruzz563
Needs a job!
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2003
- Messages
- 2,725
- Location
- Houston, Texas, The States
- Car(s)
- Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust (Do want)
Nicked from Autoweek.com
www.Autoweek.com said:When we first mentioned the Mercedes-Benz plan to build an X-Class small sport/utility vehicle alongside the U.S.-bound Smart ForMore (Sept. 6, 2004), little did we realize the X-Class would be the car that lived to see another day.
But given Mercedes? recent decision to pull the plug on ForMore for the United States (April 11)?though we?re told the next-gen ForTwo is still a possi?bility for the U.S. market?we can now concentrate our attention (and our spy photographer?s lens) on capturing ForMore?s sibling, the 2008 X-Class.
Positioned below the M-Class, the five-passenger compact sportwagon will take aim at the BMW X3 and the upcoming redesigned Land Rover Freelander. Developed on the next-gener?ation C-Class chassis, the X-Class is expected to go on sale in Europe in 2007 with rear- and all-wheel-drive versions, according to our sister paper Automotive News.
Though the X-Class will have just two rows of seats, it is rumored the rear bench will slide back and forth, will fold down, and may even be removable for added cargo flexibility.
U.S. sales are likely according to sources in Europe, but several U.S. dealers told Automotive News they have not heard of plans to sell the vehicle in the United States.
Engine offerings will include a 2.2-liter four-cylinder, a variety of V6s ranging from 230 hp to 270 hp, and a 4.7-liter 326-hp V8 for the U.S. market.
Look for an official announcement of the X-Class later this year.