Sunday 8th May 2016

Mercedes GLT pick-up spy pics

Is it too early to dream of a mad V8-powered AMG version?

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Mercedes getting into the pick-up market? Whoever heard of such a thing? Actually the three-pointed star has been here before, South African versions of the 1950s Ponton range brought in as rolling chassis and made into 'Bakkie' pick-ups to dodge import rules. Once local assembly of Ponton saloons started the Bakkie was redundant commercially but is fondly remembered, German coachbuilder and long-time Mercedes partner Binz also building a few for the European market alongside its regular business of vans, hearses and more.

Pick-up Pontons big in South Africa

So much for the history lesson. Looking forward Mercedes has seemingly been taking notes from the success of VW's South American built Amarok and wants in on the mid-size commercial pick-up market. Word on the street has it the GLT - as it's apparently known - is based on the latest Nissan Navara and even under the heavy disguise the similarities are obvious enough. Expect a more obvious Mercedes corporate nose once the production version is uncovered.

Clearly this is a commercial vehicle rather than yet another member of the 'GL' prefixed SUV and crossover range. But the combination of utilitarian practicality and a posher than average badge has long worked for 'lifestyle' users of VW and Mercedes vans. So why not for a Merc pick-up? And dreams of an AMG version? Stranger things have happened...

Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien and Mercedes-Benz

Sources: benz-books.com

[anonymous-user]

Yes please! I am thinking about an Amarok at some stage but this looks like it could be great.

[MR_STILAN]

PLEASE make this! An european quality muscle pick up!!

[Tuvra]

I would be interested in these. Surprised its taken the German's this long to catch on considering all the other non-existant niches they've been filling of late.

[Theophany]

I eagerly await Affalterbach's bonkers take on this.

[loudlashadjuster]

MR_STILAN said:

PLEASE make this! An european* quality** muscle pick up!!

* North/South American/Japanese
** Commercial vehicle with some slightly softer plastics and a posh badge

This will be interesting. A repeat of the IQ/Cygnet experiment for the mass market. Watch the brand obsessed flock to it when they would never be seen driving anything as gauche as a Nissan

[Fetchez la vache]

loudlashadjuster said:

Watch the brand obsessed flock to it when they would never be seen driving anything as gauche as a Nissan

That's the weird thing though isn't it. I don't know why they couldn't do this themselves (at a guess, time to market).
It looks like they'll end up with a Nissan that looks like a VW Anorak (I know...) with a Merc badge on it.

[Tuvra]

The Mock Ups look great:

[Leithen]

Sign me up for a half-track version.

With a big star on the side...

[Usget]

If they make a small version based on the B-Class, will that be the BLT?

[so called]

Is that a false rear passenger door window, surely not that square!!!

[siony1974]

My Dad through his work has killed two Ford Transit pick up cabs and is on his second Ford Ranger. Pick up trucks are meant for work NOT for posing. If the back deck isn't scarred to hell and there aren't dents in almost every panel it hasn't been used the way it should be. Anyone who drives around in a Navara or a Hi-Lux maxed to the roof with leather and has then had it valeted is a tool.

Edited by siony1974 on Wednesday 4th May 16:04

[loudlashadjuster]

so called said:

Is that a false rear passenger door window, surely not that square!!!

Nope, just a bit of creative masking to try and disguise the shape of the Navara's rear cab window.

[unpc]

MR_STILAN said:

PLEASE make this! An european quality muscle pick up!!

Have another one.

[tankplanker]

I will never own one but I hope they make this with suitably mad engines. The world needs more mad performance cars.

[griffdude]

It'll never be as cools as the 'Rambo Lambo' LM002 though.

[J4CKO]

Err, why not just buy a Nissan Navara ?

[GranCab]

5ohmustang said:

The bed is too small and completely unusable.

..... for sleeping in ?

[TooMany2cvs]

J4CKO said:

Err, why not just buy a Nissan Navara ?

Could you not just say that about the Renault Kangoo/Merc Citan? And then, of course, there's the VW LT and Crafter/Merc Sprinter?

Anyway, rumour has it there'll also be a small front-wheel drive version based on the W246, to be badged the BLT.

[dvs_dave]

Makes sense for Merc to add a pickup to their already excellent commercial range.

No doubt they will also pickup (get it) a few gym owner types who otherwise would be roid raging over to a Mitsubishi L200 "Warrior" or some other such bell end mobile.

[morgrp]

Usget said:

If they make a small version based on the B-Class, will that be the BLT?

Or if they make a diesel version that is inappropriate around women, will that be the DLT?