An annual shooting weekend organised by Bury-based Lynden Page certainly went with a bang, thanks to a ‘ fully loaded’ Mercedes-Benz X-Class provided by North-West Dealer Ciceley Commercials Ltd.
The X-Class is the first pickup produced by Mercedes-Benz and enters the market firmly at the premium end of this competitive sector. The model loaned to Mr Page and James Obertelli, from Bolton, was a top specification X250 d Power.
X-Class models are only just appearing on the UK’s roads after a buzz of excitement surrounding their launch – around a thousand customers even handed over £1,000 deposit payments to secure their orders, without having seen the vehicle ‘in the metal’.
Mr Page became o
ne of the first in the country to get his hands on a coveted set of X-Class keys when he picked up Ciceley Commercials’ newly-arrived demonstrator from Sales Executive, Rob Claringbold, at the company’s Blackburn dealership. His plan; to put it through its paces on a shooting weekend on the island of Anglesey, North Wales.
First impressions count highly with any vehicle that wants to be aspirational, and the X-Class lived up to its star billing. “Straight away I could see it was extremely well finished; a step up from what you would expect in the pickup sector,” he says. But how would it be to drive?
The route to the shoot took in stretches of motorway and dual-carriageway, as well as twisty and hilly country roads – the X-Class took all in its very capable stride. “The ride quality was excellent and even at motorway speeds it was surprisingly quiet in the cabin,” Mr Page comments. “It was easy for James and I to talk without having to raise our voices, and a really civilised place to be. It was a very good drive, the best pickup I’ve driven and James loved it too,” “It’s still a pickup, and has great off-road working credentials – I’m impressed that it can carry well over a tonne and tow a 3.5- tonne trailer, and it handled the tracks and trails around the Carreglwyd fields and forests with ease. But it also has a much more ‘premium’ feel than any other pickup I’ve seen, with a very classy, well-appointed interior and, of course, a three-pointed star on the grille. I’m sure it will find a lot of very willing customers.”
The X250 d, featuring a high-tech 190 hp turbo-charged diesel engine is currently the most powerful in the X-Class line-up – until the arrival of a 3.0-litre V6 version later this year. The Power line is the top of three trim levels, and in this case came with the acclaimed 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission. All versions have double cabs which can seat up to five adults in comfort. All models have switchable 4MATIC all wheel drive with selectable low-range gear ratios, and like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles they come with a packed arsenal of safety features, which are standard across the entire range. These include a full suite of airbags, driver assistance aids and even an autonomous emergency braking system and have contributed to the model’s recent acquisition of the top Euro NCAP five-star safety rating.
Although this was Lynden Page’s first drive in an X-Class he is an established customer of Ciceley Commercials – his company JPC Construction already runs a 32-tonne, eight-wheeled Arocs tipper truck! “That really is a workhorse,” he smiles. “But of course it’s designed for a very different job. What the two vehicles clearly have in common, though, is that they’re both ‘fit for purpose’ and at the top of their respective games. Meanwhile Ciceley Commercials is by far the best vehicle dealership I’ve come across – their customer service is unfailingly superb.”
Ciceley Commercials Ltd was founded in 1972 by local businessman Brian Morgan and opened its first site at Ciceley Lane, Blackburn. Three years later, having built a harmonious partnership with Mercedes-Benz, the company was appointed as a sole Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle franchise for the Lancashire area, making it one of the longest-serving members of the Mercedes-Benz UK Dealer Network.
Throughout the 1980s Ciceley grew rapidly and in 1996 opened another dealership in Bolton. Today, over 200 people work for the business, which now has three further sites in Blackburn, Carlisle and Dumfries. As well winning multiple awards, such as the prestigious “Mercedes-Benz Dealer of the Year”, the company also retains a strong family business ethos. A commitment to traditional values of customer service, coupled with investment, has kept Ciceley Commercials firmly at the forefront of the industry. Brian has since handed the role of Chairman to his son, Russell Morgan.
There will be an official X-Class launch hosted by Ciceley Commercials, at their Blackburn showroom on Commercial Road. Please feel free to attend, on either Friday 16th March from 2pm or Saturday 17th March from 10am. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to the below details – you’re welcome to bring along family, friends and colleagues.
