Everybody gets a pickup truck...!

Cute, but not very functional and definitely not Mercedes level. Ground clearance, tires, robust appearance, lighting, useful features are all lacking.

I dunno- in most of the pictures, it has plenty of ground clearance. Its shown with a set of stout MT tires and some all-terrain treads, appearance is subjective, but to European buyers, it probably looks pretty stout. Has headlights and some auxiliary lights on top- what do you want here? What useful features would you like to see?
I'm really starting to wonder what Nissan will give us fro the Frontier update. There seems to be a considerable spectrum- wide and narrow body, leaf or oil rear suspension, in-house and Cummins engines...

Looks pretty good.

in the article it says "Nissan and Mercedes-Benz will bring to the global "one-ton" work truck segment in the coming years." and talks about Nissan and MB mid-size trucks...

so this mid-size global truck will me a mid-size 1 ton truck? Must be really stiff suspension and weigh a lot for a mid-size truck to be rated a 1 ton....some one please explain how this mid-size truck can be a 1-ton...

in the article it says "Nissan and Mercedes-Benz will bring to the global "one-ton" work truck segment in the coming years." and talks about Nissan and MB mid-size trucks...

so this mid-size global truck will me a mid-size 1 ton truck? Must be really stiff suspension and weigh a lot for a mid-size truck to be rated a 1 ton....some one please explain how this mid-size truck can be a 1-ton...

The new Taco can haul 1,620 - so it's not too much more to get to 2,000

Benz should avoid building a Twinkie truck and instead offer a bona fide pickup built on the G Wagon platform. Starting price around 100k.

Real Raptor fighter--6.2 V8 with a green diesel option for those people. Ten Spd trans and AWD. Very large wheels and clearance.

Two thirds of the players in the NFL would order a G Series Pickup on day one. Guaranteed success.

Roadwhale would have to get a prescription for wellbutrin to keep from wiggin out.

I have read we will be getting the Renault pickup later this year. It will come with more or less the same engine/drivetrain as the N300 Navara.

They have a twin turbo 2.3 diesel which is supposed to perform quite well and deliver around 36mpg on the highway.

This Alaskan does look quite good, I'm surprised the design came from France.

I have seen several of the new Nissan Navara's on the road so far and they do look quite good. I have read the rear seating isn't as good as the Ranger/BT50/Amarok.

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Dave,
A "one tonner" as we call them have a payload of 2 240lbs or one ton. But, that measure is not really useful, it now more or less denotes a particular segment of ute, similar to how the US has 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton etc.

The ride of the coil sprung "one tonner" is supposed to be as good as a Nissan Maxima.

papajim,
MB already do make the G Wagen in many configurations including single and dual axle pickups. The market will not be as big as the midsize market.

God is that truck ugly. It looks like something that fell out of a spaceship.

While I'm no big fan of the overly aggressive looking style of many North American trucks, this one and the NP300 has taken it too far the other way.

I'm hoping that Nissan modifies the looks for North America to look a little more like the current Frontier or along the lines of a less aggressive looking / smaller 2016 Titan.

@Big Al when the starting price on a Mercedes or BMW is 100k that means it comes standard with the lame argent hubcaps and weenie interior. Even the stereo upgrade is pricey.

Properly optioned (can you say AMG?) the G-Series pickup could hit 225k. AMG 6.2 with twin supes under the hood??? Zero to sixty (pulling a pair of bass boats) in under 5.5 seconds.

Yeah. Carbon fibre everything.

You really don't have to sell too many of them to hit your sales quota.

This thing looks like $%!*

What's that rack on top for? At first, I was thinking it was a SAT dish, then I saw the lights.

The rack is a solar panel.

Funny to see people doubt that this could carry a metric tonne. The USA Colorado is rated at 1,800 lb.

PUTC is really late on this one.

TTAC covered this story September 3rd.

All of those cut and paste Ram recalls must of took a "ton" of Mark William's time.

What's that thing on the top: looks like a cross between a surf board and an electronic pancake! No,no, its a solar panel.. how trendy, how global warming chick. If I was the state of Alaska I'd sue for deflation of character.

papa jim,
MB, your response is quite inaccurate.

MB do have a commercial vehicle division that do sell vans, MDTs, LDTs, HDTs, etc.

These are generally competitively priced with it's competition, ie, Ford, GM, Renault, Nissan, Toyota, etc.

So, your view that this will need to be a MB car is quite interesting.

I would expect the MB pickup to be slightly more expensive than the run of the mill pickups, around that of the VW Amarok.

Big Al from Oz your response is quite inaccurate!

MB only sells high end cars here and vans the rust out in 2 years.

papa jim comment for the USA market is very accurate!

Big Al from Oz VW is going down the toilet in the US. They faked emission tested. can't wait for the Ford Eco poop to get bust for this too.

Oh God that thing is horrendous. It definitely looks like it was designed by committee. I guess it's what happens when you combine two companies that don't really get/understand trucks.

I doubt that the US will see a Mercedes pickup truck. I think if the new Frontier is based on this truck it will be toned down a lot. This design is too extreme.

The vw thing is going to make a lot of manufactures rethink diesels for the us. Vw's diesels don't even meet euro emissions. EPA prior to the vw thing has been trying to rent ecodiesel Rams from owners. I wouldn't be surprised if gm comes out and puts there midsize diesel on hold after this. These foreign pickups in the US are going to need gas engines and if they do come there engines and foreign pickups are going to need to be a step above Toyota tacomas to have any chance of busting into the us market

@ Mark Williams @ Big Al from Oz, @Lou_BC
The Renault Alaskan is aimed at the Latin American market primarily. It will be built in Mexico and Argentina.
Mercedes Pickup will never come to the US or Canada, no matter how much the midsize market grows. Remember the " Fat Cowboy"quips?
The NP300 Nissan will contribute some DNA to the new Frontier

@ Big Al from Oz,
MB Commercial Division is actually the biggest HD Truck maker on the planet. Freightliner being one of it's nameplates

@papa Jim,
MB is not that interested in the NA Pickup market. In fact they are not interested in Pickups much at all, showing their European bias. Vans and HDT/MDT trucks are there thing

MB is not that interested in the NA Pickup market.

@Robt Ryan

Dear Robert, Daimler spent something like 36 billion dollars back in the late 1990s to grab a foothold in North America. Pickup trucks are a HUGE part of the NA market during the last 20 years. You might want to re-think your previous remark about MB having no interest...

Looking at the badge with the "dCi 190' on it designates a 1.9 litre diesel. I was wondering if the Euro market is getting the 1.9 diesel in their Navara?

I have read the current 2 litre Renault diesel is developing 180hp and 300ftlb of torque.

I have read this Alaskan is an aero version of the NP300. It will be interesting so see what the FE is going to be on this pickup.

And the Alaskan is near production ready.

I'm guessing north of 40mpg on the highway. Even if it pushes 38mpg on the highway that is good FE for this size vehicle.

Looking at the badge with the "dCi 190' on it designates a 1.9 litre diesel. I was wondering if the Euro market is getting the 1.9 diesel in their Navara?

I have read the current 2 litre Renault diesel is developing 180hp and 300ftlb of torque.

I have read this Alaskan is an aero version of the NP300. It will be interesting so see what the FE is going to be on this pickup.

And the Alaskan is near production ready.

I'm guessing north of 40mpg on the highway. Even if it pushes 38mpg on the highway that is good FE for this size vehicle.

Here is the FE on he NP300.

As mentioned it is the combined FE in litres per 100km.

"Turning to combined-cycle fuel consumption we see 6.3l/100kms (manual) and 6.8l/100kms (automatic) for two-wheel-drive or 6.5l/100kms (manual) and 7.0l/100kms (automatic) for the 4WD."

This means the current best 2WD FE for the NP300 is 37.335648mpg. This is combined, wow. So the 1.9 will be sipping fuel.

The worst is the 4x4 auto at 33.602083mpg......combined.

The aero Renault with the 1.9 must be quite good........45mpg on the highway?? That's amazing stuff for a 2 tonne vehicle.

@Johnny Doe, looks like gm got busted pretty bad for ignition switches so clean up your own backyard before talking about others brands.

According to this article (link at the bottom) the Alaskan will be coming to Australia with the 2.3 litre diesel.

If the production version of the Alaskan looks like this it will be a big seller.

Who would of ever thought the French could design such a nice looking pickup and it doesn't need the little appendage grille!!

Out of interest the "ute" or pickup segment in Australia is 20% of our market. That is just midsizer. So out of our 1.2 million vehicle a year market that's around 240 000 a year.

http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2015/renault/renault-oz-cant-wait-for-alaskan-ute-53650

@Papa Jim,
No they are not interested in US specific Pickups, but vehicles they can export from the US to Global Markets.
That encompasses, Sedans, SUVS and Vans. I think when they start making Sprinters and other Vans we will start seeing them here US produced Mercedes Sedans are already exported here.
Freightliner exports to Australia, NZ and South Africa

Robert Ryan,
Export from the US??

I do think the US and in particular the Big 3 will need to adjust some of their restrictive pickup market protectionism.

I would think some deal needs to be struck with the Asian makers of pickups so vehicles can come from Asian factories into the US market.

I understand FTAs. But I really don't think we would get expensive US made pickups. I've read we will possibly have our imported Nissan/MB/Renault pickups only come from Spain and/or Thailand as in the past.

Wages are cheaper in those two countries.

Robert Ryan,
I have also read the NP300 MB based pickup is not going to target the US market.

I really don't think MB would waste resources in the US for pickups.

Nissan will.

Also, the FTA that the USA is working on with the EU will prove to be interesting since the EU is going to produce more midsizers.

The US could even get Nissan, MB, Renault and Amaroks from the EU.

That would be something different! It will force the quality of US pickups to improve.

@Big Al from Oz- the "190" designation is a nominal hp rating, rather than a displacement. It will certainly have at least 1, probably 2 lower hp configurations available, using the same engine. I haven't seen a European light CV that didn't offer this in a long time.
MB is just now testing the waters with a second light CV in the US- the Viano/V-Class based Metris. It will be another 5 years (at least) before they introduce something else.
If the next Frontier is really the narrow NP300 and comes with the new diesel and Jatco 7speed (ZERO hope for a diesel/manual trans here) and coil rear suspension, I would give it a very hard look over the warmed over Tacoma. Then again, we might be getting the T6 Ranger, too. between contract negotiations (production planning)and the upcoming auto show season, we'll get the answers.

PLEASE make this truck and sell it in the US. This is a work of art vs the FUGLY s**t from GM and Ford. Ram does ok on looks

@Robert R and @Big Al

Daimler today is a global company. Their 36 billion dollar purchase of Chrysler back in the 1990s was a huge loss for them (it was sold to Cerebus Capital Mgmt for less than 5 Billion in 2007, if I recall) but it paved the way for Daimler to become a major car builder in the US.

Their leadership at Daimler is very strategic and it would not surprise me at all for them to do something kinda crazy looking for new ways to attack an existing market. The US market for pickups is moribund today to say the least, but it is a substantial market in terms of annual sales.

With companies like Daimler and VW you can never say never.

I hate these midsize pickups. They are almost the sized of the big pickups. I want a smaller pickup similar to the 2000 Ranger that I have now. I don't need a monster truck!

Roadwhale would have to get a prescription for wellbutrin to keep from wiggin out.
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Too many assumptions. I'm betting you "old timers" will be the ones wigging out when this thing comes out bigger than you're thinking. What I do see is that this will definitely compete with the Colorado/Canyon for size, if not larger, and demonstrate that American full-sized trucks are just too big.

Me? I'm still waiting for the true compact truck to come back and I think they're coming sooner than this thing by at least a year, if not two.

Extended cab and long bed, please. I like it.

MrKnowitall,
The "190" designates the capacity, not hp. I actually read up on the 190. It appears to be a 1.9 litre diesel.

papa jim,
Your last comment suggests you really don't know what you are discussing, with comments like;

1. " Their 36 billion dollar purchase of Chrysler back in the 1990s was a huge loss for them (it was sold to Cerebus Capital Mgmt for less than 5 Billion in 2007, if I recall) but it paved the way for Daimler to become a major car builder in the US."

So, what has this comment have to do with peanuts like we are discussing.

2. "Their leadership at Daimler is very strategic and it would not surprise me at all for them to do something kinda crazy looking for new ways to attack an existing market. The US market for pickups is moribund today to say the least, but it is a substantial market in terms of annual sales."

I would think any large corporation would have some form of strategic plan in place, so MB has one?????????? If MB were as strategic as you claim I do think MB would look at challengine the fulls size pickup market, not midsize......................................unless you think the midsize segment will overpower the full size segment??? This goes against much of your preachings.

3. "With companies like Daimler and VW you can never say never. "

I do think if you look at MB they have a relatively known plan in place and they specifically stated they are not looking at the US market for pickups............unlike VW who stated they would like to sell the Amarok, but the chicken tax and VW's lack of projected sales numbers is preventing introducing the Amarok.

papa jim, go back to the drawing board.

It seems you consider the demise of the full size pickup market or the massive leap in the midsize market and MB strategy is loose.

I think it looks pretty good, especially if you put different wheels on it. Its already better than the Colorado/Canyon. Those things are the ugliest trucks on the road, hands down.

Say what you want about Nissan's trucks, the Frontier has always been a pretty good off-road vehicle (at least for a truck).

Keeping my fingers crossed they don't screw this up.

@Big Al,

If you had read my earlier comments on this topic with even a modicum of true comprehension, your replies would have been more to the point, instead of your rambling mumbles and grunts.

You should consider having your physician review your current list of medications. Your last response literally sounds like someone who's had too much to drink.

If your doctor has recently reviewed your meds then you should take greater care to assure that you are following the doseage instructions more carefully. And get more rest. You cannot be up all night bothering others with your silly comments without losing a lot of sleep. It isn't healthy.

papa jim,
As usual when you don't have a response to counter you will then proceed to personal insults.

I could have expected not much more from you.

Thank you for your very insightful and intelligent conversation.

Striker 45,
From some of the reviews I've read, the reviewers consider the multi-link coil sprung Navara the best performing pickup on our market off roading.

This new Navara/MB/Renault has lost around 350lbs in weight as well making it around 2 000kg. This proves that aluminium might not always be the answer.

I'm actually quite impressed with much of what I've read on the new Navara. It can be improved as any vehicle.

The next US Frontier is supposed to be based on the narrow body NP300. The narrow body global is earmarked for developing nations. But do not fear as in any pickup a basic vehicle is quite agricultural.

If the US Frontier is based on the narrow body it might only come with the leaf sprung rear end. But, I'm hoping you guys will bet the little ISF 2.8 Cummins. I wish we would of had that here. But, the Renault 2.3 diesel is very economical.

@Big Al,

I didn't think it would be necessary to explain the meaning of common words used in business, i.e., strategic, vs tactical for example.

Mercedes (and BMW) are firms best know for their operational expertise and sophisticated product development. Each has dipped its toe in the strategic realm during the last 25 years, but it's the exception.

Your reply listed 3 points, which I thought were all rather confrontational in terms of tone, but number 3 was a doozy.

You suggest that Daimler's plans are "well known" which would be quite the opposite of "strategic" don't you think? In fact, it would not surprize me at all if Mercedes produced a luxo-boat AWD pickup for North American based on the G series.

Time will tell. How cool would it be if the G pickup had an electric motor driven option for off road? Torque, control, exquisite traction.

Looks like a profitable truck to me