Latest news with #Mercedes-BenzA-Class
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Mercedes-Benz changes its mind again: A-Class staying till 2028
Three-pointed star's entry-level model will continue in production two years longer than initially planned reportedly as a result of ongoing demand. Mercedes-Benz A-Class has had its its lifecycle prolonged by another two years. Image: Mercedes-Benz Reported back in March as being discontinued next year, a new claim from Germany has alleged that Mercedes-Benz has extended the lifecycle of the current A-Class by another two years to 2028. Change of plan First announced in 2022 as being on the chopping block, the current W177 A-Class, which received its one and only update two years ago, will become the longest lasting generation yet based on the latest claims. Supposedly part of Benz's range reduction strategy announced two years ago, in which it aimed to reduce complexity by cutting its product portfolio from 33 to 14 models, the A-Class will now seemingly live on alongside the new CLA till before the end of the decade. ALSO READ: Mercedes-Benz makes it official: Current A-Class will be the last 'It's not our goal to be a competitor of the volume producers. That's not what the Mercedes-Benz brand stands for. So stay tuned as far as our product portfolio is concerned,' Mercedes-Benz CEO, Ola Källenius, told Britain's Autocar in 2022 about the time as the A-Class' pending demise. In a related statement, Mercedes-Benz's Chief Technology Officer, Markus Schäfer, told Italy's quattoruote, 'we need models that work all over the world, including China and the USA. I know that the hatchback is the favourite in Europe, but it was not part of the plans and we had to make choices, even difficult ones'. Why the U-turn? Largely believed to be replaced by the incoming junior G-Class, called g-Class that will also succeed the B-Class, GLA and GLB, Mercedes-Benz Production Head, Jorg Burzer, hinted that ongoing demand had been the reason for the decision to continue with A-Class production for the additional two years. Current B-Class will still be discontinued next year. Image: Mercedes-Benz This, according to Automotive News Europe's German outlet, Automobilwoche, in which the executive also confirmed the end of the B-Class by next year as still being on the cards. As such, production will move from Germany to Hungary for the A-Class' final two years, hinting that another series of updates could soon be applied on top of those rolled-out two years ago. Recap Locally, the A-Class range spans six models, two hatches and four sedans, priced from R813 124 for the A200 Progressive, to R991 046 for the A200d AMG Line Sedan. In addition, the current AMG based models including an three derivatives from R1 173 973 for the A35 Sedan, to R1 457 119 for the A45 S hatch. ALSO READ: Not so fast: Mercedes-Benz A-Class renewed until 2026
Hindustan Times
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe launch today: Key highlights
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe to compete with Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Check Offers BMW is all set to launch the new generation avatar of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe in India today. The new 2 Series Gran Coupe will replace the outgoing model as BMW's entry-level offering for the Indian market. It is going to be the German luxury car manufacturer's entry-level model in the country. This model poses a strong competition to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Ahead of the imminent launch of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, here are some of the key highlights of the car every prospective buyer of this model should know. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: Design The new generation BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe comes with an updated design. The car gets a more aggressive look, highlighted by the adaptive LED headlamps and a backlit radiator grille as well. The M Sport package adds more bold appeal to the bumper along with darkened accents. Adding more zing to the car are the 18-inch alloy wheels, which are standard. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: Features Inside the cabin, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has a minimalist aesthetic. A key feature is the curved glass panel linking the 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which is tilted toward the driver for improved visibility. These displays come powered by BMW's latest OS9 software. The seat and door upholstery come in a uniform dark mocha brown shade. However, there are various upholstery options available. Other features include a panoramic sunroof, a wireless charger, wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera, automatic parking capabilities, an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), and a digital key for remotely controlling essential functions like locking/unlocking, pre-cooling the cabin, and accessing the boot. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: Powertrain The second-generation BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe will be offered only in petrol variants in India. Powering this car is a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 154 bhp peak power and 230 Nm of maximum torque, with power directed to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 17 Jul 2025, 08:22 am IST
News18
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- News18
In Bizarre Scene, Man Takes Mercedes Down Iconic Spanish Steps And Gets Stuck
Last Updated: The vehicle descended partway down the steps before coming to a complete stop. An 80-year-old man unintentionally drove his compact Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan down the famous Spanish Steps in Rome early Tuesday morning, June 12. This led to an unexpected rescue operation involving police, firefighters and a crane. The incident has sparked widespread attention both locally and online. According to a CNN report, the incident occurred around 4 AM, when the man, navigating through central Rome, mistakenly turned onto the historic staircase. The vehicle descended partway down the steps before coming to a complete stop, wedged and unable to move further. According to a statement released by city police, the man was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident. Officers patrolling the area stopped him and took him to a hospital as a precaution. Medical tests confirmed he had not consumed any substances, and he was found to be uninjured. The man told officers that he had been 'going to work" when the confusion happened. It is still unclear whether he was relying on a GPS for directions or driving based on memory. Video footage of the moment is now doing the rounds on the Internet. It shows the grey sedan descending the staircase before getting stuck between the steps. Later in the video, a crane can be seen lifting the car off the steps. An 80-year-old man got his Mercedes-Benz car stuck while driving down the Spanish Steps in Rome in the early hours of June driver tested negative for alcohol but was in a state of confusion. #Roman #ITALIANO #Driver #MercedesBenz — HKeye (@HKeye_) June 19, 2025 The area was quickly cordoned off, and public access to the Spanish Steps has been temporarily restricted. Authorities noted that in cases involving protected heritage sites, archaeologists are called in to assess potential damage. While a visual inspection revealed damage to the vehicle, officials have yet to confirm whether the staircase itself sustained any harm. The Spanish Steps, or Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, are among Rome's most iconic landmarks. Built in the 1720s, the grand staircase connects the Trinità dei Monti church at the top to the Piazza di Spagna below. Designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi, the staircase features 135 travertine stone steps. This isn't the first time the historic site has faced such an unusual incident. In 2022, a 37-year-old man from Saudi Arabia drove a Maserati down the same staircase, causing physical damage to the monument. In that case, the driver fled the scene immediately but was later tracked down using surveillance footage and rental car records. He was eventually arrested at Milan's Malpensa airport and was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage and monuments.
CNN
18-06-2025
- CNN
Elderly man drives down Rome's Spanish Steps and gets stuck
An 80-year-old man has told police he was 'wrong' to drive down Rome's famed Spanish Steps, after firefighters had to recover his vehicle from the landmark in the early hours of Tuesday. The man was not injured in the incident but he was nonetheless taken to the hospital, where he tested negative for both drug and alcohol consumption, city police said in a statement. The driver, who has not been identified, told officers he was 'going to work' and had taken a wrong turn, according to Italian media reports. It is unclear if he was using a GPS device. The gray Mercedes-Benz A-Class car got stuck halfway down the 18th-century staircase around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, the Italian Fire Brigade said in a statement. The car had been stopped by police officers who were patrolling the area. The fire department said it had to use a crane at the foot of the steps to lift the vehicle off the stairway. Some damage to the vehicle was visible, but it is unclear whether that was the result of Tuesday's incident. The steps are currently closed to the public. The normal procedure when Rome's historic monuments are involved in an incident is for archaeologists to inspect them for damage. The man had a valid driver's license, according to Italian media. Under Italian law, drivers over the age of 80 are obliged to renew their license every two years and undergo a medical examination, which includes basic cognition questions. Back in 2022, a Saudi man tangled with the law after he drove a Maserati down the Spanish Steps. He was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage and monuments after the car caused fractures to the 16th and 29th steps of the right-hand flight rising up from the Piazza di Spagna. That same year two American tourists were fined and briefly banned from Rome's city center after damaging the steps with electric scooters. The steps owe their name to the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, which is hosted in a palazzo in the square below. A two-year, 1.5 million-euro ($1.7 million) restoration of the landmark — which has appeared in numerous movies, most notably 1953's 'Roman Holiday,' starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck — was completed in 2015.
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Best cars for parking you can find on the market in the UK
While driving is something many motorists enjoy, the act of parking can be a bit more difficult and cause stress for some. It comes as research from Cazoo shows that Gen Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) are the most nervous generation by far when it comes to parking. A survey of more than 2,000 motorists found that 96% within the age group faced 'park-xiety'. Parking can be a cause of stress for some motorists (Image: Getty Images) Additionally, around two-thirds (66%) say they have asked someone else to park their car for them, which is illegal if the person isn't insured on that car. With this in mind, Harry Waring, Motoring Specialist at Cazoo, has shared the 10 best cars currently on the market that are the easiest to park with. Top 10 easiest cars to park with in the UK Fiat 500 A classic first car for a reason, the Fiat 500's compact size, light steering and good all-around visibility make it ideal for slotting into spaces. Ford Fiesta The Ford Fiesta offers functions such as voice control, rear-view cameras and parking sensors available across a range of its models. Waring adds that it is "responsive and solid on the road and in the car park". UK speed limits explained Volkswagen Polo All models of the Volkswagen Polo have a range of advanced safety features, such as automatic braking, that could help you avoid a collision when parking. Waring says: "A slightly more premium supermini, the Polo offers an easygoing driving experience with a focus on comfort rather than outright fun." Mercedes-Benz A-Class The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is considered to be a good option thanks to being equipped with several parking assistance features. This includes standard reversing cameras, parking sensors, and even active parking assist systems that automatically steer the car into parking spaces. Waring adds: "It's relatively compact hatchback form also helps with manoeuvrability compared to larger vehicles, and second-hand examples are very affordable, despite the premium badge." Hyundai i10 The Hyundai i10 is an "excellent" car for the city and is a "dream to park" thanks to its small size, light steering and good all-around visibility. Some more expensive models even have rear parking sensors, a rare feature in a car of this size. What's checked in an MOT Kia Picanto The Kia Picanto takes the crown for one of the UK's least-expensive and best-value cars, and this approach carries through to parking. Waring adds: "Incredibly practical for urban driving, the Picanto's small size, light controls, and good visibility make it a breeze to park." Suzuki Ignis The Suzuki Ignis has a high driving position, which provides good visibility for the driver, and the light steering helps to make parking straightforward. Audi A3 The Audi A3 is described as a "great practical option" that can be fitted with Park Assist. This helps the driver with both parallel and perpendicular parking. 5 tips to help your fuel last longer Skoda Karoq The Skoda Karoq is said to be a "fantastic all-rounder, mid-size SUV" which comes with rear parking sensors as standard. Recommended reading: Higher trims often include front sensors or even a reversing camera. Some models may also offer park assist features that can help to steer into spaces. Peugeot 5008 If you're looking for a seven-seater that's manageable to park, the 5008 is a great option. Higher trims offer a mix of all-around parking sensors, reversing cameras, and park assist.
