Mercedes ute sets a new standard
It took a while to get here, but now it’s arrived the Mercedes X-Class has created a stir at the premium end of the buoyant ute market
The ProLift tailgate assist system prevents heavy tailgates from free-falling to the fully open position, averting the risk of injury to the operator -- or to youngsters -- and it helps raise the gate to its closed position with just one finger.
The system works with the help of a hydraulic damper, and combines with torsion bars built into the hinge points to make opening or closing effortless.
Installation is said to be easy without the need for drilling.
Meanwhile, solid closed lids on ute trays have become popular, especially for the security they offer. Unfortunately, their weight can make them difficult to open, a problem the TopUp ute lid can solve.
A system of lifting arms, clever geometry and assistor springs make lifting and lowering easy, and the three-point operating system allows the lid to be used in the closed, part-open and fully open positions, even at maximum road speeds.
The partly open position allows the carriage of slightly oversize or irregular loads – no trailer required; and the fully open position releases the whole load area for the biggest items, increasing the versatility of the system.
The lids are finished in high quality Du Pont paint matching the original vehicle colour; the lid interior is fitted with a hard wearing fabric to protect itself and the load from abrasion.
