X marks resting place for Mercedes ute

X marks the spot and it will also mark the resting place of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class utility.

Less than two years after launch in Australia, Mercedes-Benz has decided to pull the pin on the Nissan-based utility because of poor sales.

Production ends in May with no plans to build another ute anytime soon.

Guess the attraction of the magic three-pointed star was not quite as alluring as had been anticipated, even for cashed-up ute buyers?

In its short lifetime, the Navara clone, built in Spain, generated a disappointing 16,700 sales in 2018 and 15,300 sales globally in 2019.

Here in Australia, where the ute rules the Aussie roost, the company sold just 3026 X-Class last year — 45 of them 4x2s — 2081 of them 4x4s.

In it’s first year of sale, in 2018, the figures were even worse: 1520 and 25 sales.

It explains why we haven’t seen too many of the around, at least not in our neck of the woods.

The X-Class dual cab utility sits on the same chassis as Navara, with the same part-time four-wheel drive system and same 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel.

Available with one turbo or two, with outputs of 120kW/403Nm or 140kW/450Nm, the diesel is hooked up to the same 6-speed manual or 7-speed auto.

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A larger, more powerful 3.0-litre V6 diesel was introduced after launch that delivers a class-leading 190kW and 550Nm of torque.

And, yes, X-Class has the same multi-link rear suspension under the back that has caused such a kerfuffle for the Japanese manufacturer.

The Mercedes-Benz is priced from $45,450 for the cab-chassis (minus a tub or tray) or $46,400 for the 4×2 version — this time with a tub.

The 4×4 starts from $50,400,while the X350d with larger 3.0-litre diesel is priced $73,270 for the Progressive or $79,415 for the top of the line Power version.

If you’ve had a change of heart after reading this, there’s probably still time to get your hands on one, bearing in mind that Mercedes is probably still holding stocks.

Bazza had a thing for bikes

Or you could cut your losses and grab a model of the X-Class.

Model builder Jakob Michel from Modelllichtsysteme has created a spectacular scale model of the ill-fated ute.

Michel started out with Amalgam which is renowned for building some of the world’s best scale model cars.

The X-Class model shows impressive attention to detail, with LED head and tail lights, as well as turn indicators.

The interior of the scale model is even more eye-catching, with instrument cluster, steering wheel, touchscreen, centre console, air vents and climate control.