Mercedes-Benz Rolls Out 2016 A-Class Facelift Prototype

If Mercedes-Benz follows the example of the B-Class that was facelifted three years after launch, then we could see an updated A-Class before the end of 2015.

McLaren P1 reviews filmed on the track

We have seen a fair share of McLaren P1 reviews filmed on the track, but I’m sure many of you wonder what the hypercar is like to drive on the eopen road. Autocar has an answer to this question, as Steve Sutcliffe had the chance to drive the P1 for three days on public roads, on the circuit and on an airfield and come up with a conclusion.

New ECO-Versions of Renault-Powered Mercedes A180 and B180, Plus AWD Option for Both Series

Mercedes-Benz is refreshing its UK lineup of A-Class hatchbacks and B-Class small MPVs with the introduction of new ECO versions and the addition of AWD editions for both models.

Available from January 2014, the new A 180 CDI ECO SE and B 180 CDI ECO SE replace the regular A 180 CDI and B 180 CDI.

They combine the Renault-sourced 109bhp 1.5-liter turbo diesel with a series of fuel-saving measures that include the use of an aerodynamic grille element, underbody paneling and lowered suspension (-10 mm front and 15 mm rear for A-Class, and 20 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear for B-Class). They also feature manual gearboxes with longer ratios in the higher gears, an improved energy recuperation system and a lighter fuel tank

Mercedes says that compared to the standard A 180 CDI, CO2 emissions have been reduced by six per cent to 92 g/km, with combined fuel consumption increased to 78.5 mpg UK (versus 74.3 mpg on the outgoing model). On the B 180 CDI ECO SE emissions were reduced to 98 g/km CO2 or nine percent, while fuel economy jumped eight per cent to 74.3 mpg UK.

Despite the economy gains, Mercedes states that power, torque, top speed and 0-60 mph acceleration, remains unchanged for both models.

Along with the new ECO variants, Benz is introducing the four-wheel drive system first seen on the CLA 250 4MATIC, on both the A- and B-Class, again from January 2014. In particular, the A 250 4MATIC will be available in both AMG Sport and Engineered by AMG trim, while the the B 220 4MATIC, exclusively in Sport trim.

In terms of pricing, the A 180 CDI ECO SE will start from £21,965 on the road, the B 180 CDI ECO SE from £22,950 OTR, the A 250 4MATIC from £28,985 OTR for the AMG Sport trim and £30,905 for the Engineered by AMG trim, and the B 220 4MATIC, at £28,135 OTR.

PHOTO GALLERY

Scoop: Upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLA Compact Crossover Filmed on the Road

Two weeks ago, we brought you spy pictures of the newest and smallest member of Mercedes-Benz's growing family of SUV and crossover models, tipped to be called the GLA.
Now, French car magazine L'Automobile brings us more details of the GLA in the shape of new spy footage nabbing a prototype wearing varying levels of disguise while testing in Spain.

European Car of the Year Short List with the 8 Finalists Revealed, Think You Can Pick the Winner?

After announcing the 34 nominees (38 if you include re-badged models like the Seat Toledo and Subaru BRZ) in late September, the organizing committee of the European edition of the Car of the Year award has now released the short list with the 8 finalists.
Normally, the short list includes 7 models, but due to the fact that two cars tied in the same position during the voting process, the committee increased the number of finalists to eight, just as it did in the 2007 edition of the award.

Mercedes-Benz Officially Confirms A-Class-Based Compact SUV

The Audi Q3 and BMW X1 will soon have a rival from Stuttgart in the premium compact crossover segment as Mercedes-Benz officially confirmed the development of an A-Class-based SUV.
Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche made the announcement during a conference at Mercedes' Rastatt plant in Germany on the start of production of the revamped A-Class hatchback.
"This start of production marks a further milestone in our Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy. The A-Class represents our offensive in the compact segment," said Zetsche. "And there is more to come: The compact SUV will be the third model we will build here in Rastatt."

2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Five-Door Hatchback Filmed Totally Undisguised!

A bicyclist –no, we didn't make a mistake- captured footage of the all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback while riding with his team from El Golfo to Playa Blanca on the Spanish island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.
It seems that the German premium carmaker was at the island to shoot video and pictures of the luxury compact model for its press material.
The A-Class seen here is the five-door hatchback model, which will be the first body style to be launched onto the market. Mercedes has already confirmed that the 5-door version will make its world premiere at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show in early March. A sportier looking three-door model will follow, possibly withing the next year.

SCOOP: 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class MPV is Same ol’ Same ol’…

Not too long ago, we brought you official design images of the brand new 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sporting a five-door hatchback body styled after the impressive A-Class concept seen at the New York and Shanghai Auto Shows in April. Now we have some revealing spy shots of the upcoming 2012 B-Class minivan. Being that the next A-Class and its larger B-Class sibling belong to the same family, you would expect a similar design philosophy between the two models.
However, as these latest scoops demonstrate, that is not the case with the new 2012 B-Class. We had a very hard time telling the differences between the current B-Class and its successor, as the overall shape and styling of the small MPV have been kept intact. Nevertheless, the new B-Class is slightly taller and longer than the current model, with the front and rear ends influenced by the latest crop of Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs.

All-New 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatchback Revealed in Patent Images

We first saw Mercedes-Benz’s intentions for the upcoming 2012 A-Class series at both the New York and Shanghai auto show in mid-April with the unveiling of a sexy-looking, three-door concept model, but now, we can offer you a look at the production version thanks to these images from the European patent office.
The model seen here is the five-door hatchback version of the new A-Class, which, if our sources are correct, will make its world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany this September. The production A-Class appears to be closely modeled after the concept version, albeit with less dramatic body surfacing and detailing. For example, the nose has been lifted up and is less aggressively styled than on the prototype study.

Mercedes Debuts Striking A-Class Concept in New York, Confirms Production Version for North America

Following a world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this week, Mercedes-Benz showed off its dynamic A-Class concept to the crowds of New York, and confirmed that the production model will head to North America.
In Europe, the production A-Class will launch next year. As for the US, Autonews reported that Joachim Schmidt, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars, would not specify a time frame vaguely stating that the A-Class would arrive “some time in this decade.”

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz Explains the Design of the Concept A-Class

On Wednesday, Mercedes-Benz introduced an impressive design study for the next generation of the A-Class, heavily influenced by the brand's recent concept cars, mainly the F800 and the CLS Shooting Brake. Now, we have two new video of the concept model. In the first clip, exterior designer Mark Featherston, who worked on the Concept A-Class, explains the important styling features of the compact car in a short film released by Mercedes-Benz.
The German automaker also presented the first footage showing the Concept A-Class in motion and capturing the car's most appealing exterior and interior angles. Scroll down to watch both videos dedicated to the concept that previews Stuttgart’s upcoming rival to the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.

Mercedes Brings Sexy to the Compact Segment with New Concept A-Class, will be Revealed in Shanghai

Mercedes-Benz plans to show up at this month’s Shanghai Auto Show with a brand new concept for a spectacular looking A-Class model. While the Concept A-Class is just what its name says it is – a prototype study - it’s also a very good indication of where the company plans to take its BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 rival with the presentation of the next generation model that is scheduled to go on sale in 2012.
For starters, Mercedes is giving up the minivan-like silhouette of the current A-Class for a more dramatic and sporty looking two-box profile with a long bonnet and a low roof-line. The concept’s exterior design details are heavily influenced by Stuttgart’s most recent prototypes such as the CLS Shooting Brake and especially the F800.

Aside from the new nose with a prominent Mercedes grille, the three-door Concept A-Class also features concave surfaces with sweeping lines throughout the body.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell with Battery Powered Electric Drive

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its all-electric A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle that will enter production this fall. The company plans to build 500 A-Class E-Cells and lease the car to selected customers in several European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands.