Autocar November 14, 2018

THE AVERAGE NEW car is 12.6% more efficient than its predecessor, according to the SMMT, the UK car industry body. Yet in September 2018, average CO2 emissions of new cars registered in the UK reached a six-year high of 128.3g/km. This rise is the latest by-product of the Dieselgate scandal and the biggest jump yet in an upward trend since CO2 emissions reached a low of 119.2g/km in August 2016. The decline in diesel sales is not being matched by the growth in electrified cars and buyers are returning to petrol, so CO2 emissions are going up. The more real-world WLTP economy tests will increase them further in the short term. All of this is bad news for the Government, as it has a legal obligation to cut emissions. In the long…

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed for the first time that it will launch successors to the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, as well as an eighth compact model, the GLB SUV, in 2019. The new models were detailed within an official so-called product roadmap graphic. The graphic appeared in a presentation announcing the marque’s 2018 sales to the end of September and it pinpoints six to-be-revealed Mercedes passenger car models. Joining the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and the GLB will be facelifted versions of the GLC and GLC Coupé as well as the third-generation GLS, itself due to appear at this month’s Los Angeles motor show. The exact timing of the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake unveiling is yet to be revealed. However, Autocar understands the CLA is likely to make an appearance at the…

THE AVERAGE NEW car is 12.6% more efficient than its predecessor, according to the SMMT, the UK car industry body. Yet in September 2018, average CO2 emissions of new cars registered in the UK reached a six-year high of 128.3g/km. This rise is the latest by-product of the Dieselgate scandal and the biggest jump yet in an upward trend since CO2 emissions reached a low of 119.2g/km in August 2016. The decline in diesel sales is not being matched by the growth in electrified cars and buyers are returning to petrol, so CO2 emissions are going up. The more real-world WLTP economy tests will increase them further in the short term. All of this is bad news for the Government, as it has a legal obligation to cut emissions. In…

Mercedes’ proliferation of its model range shows us two things: there is seemingly no niche not worth tapping into these days; and the saloon car is far from dead. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, Mercedes still sees enough demand to offer no fewer than eight three-box models in its future range. China is a big factor in this. The world’s largest market has favoured saloons for years, with SUVs only recently gaining popularity. It’s why the A-Class Saloon, in particular the long-wheelbase version, has been added to Mercedes’ compact car line-up. In Europe, car makers are rebranding the saloon rather than let it fall out of fashion. Mercedes effectively started the ‘four-door coupé’ trend with the first CLS, and the CLA is a byproduct of that. Although it may seem confusing that…

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed for the first time that it will launch successors to the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, as well as an eighth compact model, the GLB SUV, in 2019. The new models were detailed within an official so-called product roadmap graphic. The graphic appeared in a presentation announcing the marque’s 2018 sales to the end of September and it pinpoints six to-be-revealed Mercedes passenger car models. Joining the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and the GLB will be facelifted versions of the GLC and GLC Coupé as well as the third-generation GLS, itself due to appear at this month’s Los Angeles motor show. The exact timing of the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake unveiling is yet to be revealed. However, Autocar understands the CLA is likely to make an…

AUDI IS PREPARING to counter the new Mercedes-Benz CLA with its very own style-led coupé: a new five-door A3 liftback model. The most powerful version, which is set to make more than 400bhp, is described by Audi officials as a spiritual successor to the original Sport Quattro. The secret new Audi was granted production approval by former Audi chairman Rupert Stadler earlier this year and forms part of a future four-model A3 line-up. When it reaches the UK in 2020, it will be sold alongside successors to today’s five-door hatchback, two-door cabriolet and four-door saloon A3s. Sources told Autocar the new five-door A3 coupé could use the Sportback name to draw a link between it and the A5 Sportback, although that branding has previously been used for the five-door A3 hatchback. As well…