Latest news with #Mercedes
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Weekend Drive by Hormazd Sorabjee: Let's do a reign check
The silent, dignified arrival of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been a hallmark of understated luxury. It's a vehicle synonymous with serenity, where the cacophony of the outside world is shut out and passengers are cosseted in comfort. Then, there's the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E-Performance. This isn't merely an S-Class; it's what happens when the engineers of Mercedes's performance division, AMG, are given free rein to infuse a flagship sedan with supercar DNA. Bearing the '63' badge, highlighted in red, is a signal that this 802hp limousine has shed its regal composure for something far more assertive, turning the traditionally rear-seat focused S-Class experience squarely onto the driver. At its core, the S 63 E-Performance is a plug-in hybrid system taken to an extreme. The familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, formidable with its 612hp and 900Nm, is augmented by a rear-axle-mounted electric motor and a 13kWh battery, contributing an additional 190hp and 320Nm. The combined output is a staggering 802hp and a monumental 1,430Nm of torque. Unleashing this power is almost surreal. Despite its considerable 2.5-tonne mass, the sensation under full acceleration is less about forward motion, and more akin to the vehicle warping the very asphalt beneath its tires. The 0-100kph sprint is dispatched in a mere 3.4 seconds, an astonishing feat for a car of this size and stature. Top speed is electronically limited to 250kph but with the optional Driver's Pack, you can hit 290kph. Managing this colossal output involves a sophisticated dual-transmission setup: A Speedshift 9-speed MCT for the V8 and a separate 2-speed unit for the electric motor. An AMG S-Class inherently grapples with two contrasting ideologies: Sportscar handling versus limousine comfort. The S 63 E-Performance leans decidedly towards the former. While it features adaptive air suspension, the ride is firm. When faced with a challenging road, however, the AMG pedigree shines through. The 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, complemented by 3-degree rear-wheel steering, endows this long-wheelbase sedan with surprising agility. It turns in keenly and maintains impressive stability through sweeping bends. Yet, in tighter, more technical sections, the laws of physics and its 2.5-tonne mass ultimately assert themselves, limiting how much the handling tech can truly do. Ground clearance, too, demands vigilance over significant speedbumps, even with the air suspension's raise function. Visually, the S 63 signals its intent with clarity. The distinctive Panamericana grille, aggressive bumper designs with large air dams, and the AMG logo replacing the traditional Mercedes-Benz star all contribute to a more muscular aesthetic. Inside, carbon fibre, interwoven with a red thread, adorns the dashboard. The digital instrument cluster offers racier themes, while the central 12.8-inch touchscreen serves as the highly responsive control hub for every facet of the car. Despite its driver-centric focus, the rear cabin remains a thoroughly luxurious space, offering ample legroom, massage functions, and independent entertainment screens. Priced from ₹3.3 crore, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E-Performance occupies a curious niche. It possesses supercar-levels of power and combines it with the undeniable luxury of an S-Class. The S 63, then, is for the individual who demands both extremes – the ultimate in executive transport capabilities and the ability to rip through the fabric of time. It's a statement, an indulgence, and ultimately, a purchase driven not by logic, but by the sheer joy it provides. From HT Brunch, June 21, 2025 Follow us on
9 News
7 hours ago
- 9 News
Man gets Mercedes stuck on world-famous Roman landmark
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here An 80-year-old man drove a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the landmark Spanish Steps in Rome this week before getting stuck partway down, municipal police said in a statement. The man tested negative for alcohol, and was cited on the spot for driving down the monument in Rome's historic centre, police said. Police said the man, a resident of Rome, was at a loss to explain how he had wound up driving down the famed steps. An 80-year-old driver in Rome managed to get his Mercedes stuck on the city's famed Spanish Steps. (9News) They did not release his name and it was unclear if the car was his. The small sporty car was later removed by firefighters using a crane. Police did not respond to requests for more details about the dynamics of the apparent accident. One of Rome's most recognisable monuments, the Spanish Steps have never been intended for motor vehicles, although some thrill seekers have tried their luck. A Saudi man was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after a surveillance camera recorded him driving a rented Maserati down the 135 travertine steps in 2022. The Spanish Steps take their name from the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See in the nearby square. A famed background for numerous films, they were built in the 1720s and have long been a popular spot to people watch and hang out. rome accidents driving Italy Europe World CONTACT US Property News: The last inner Sydney suburbs where houses cost under $2m.
South Wales Guardian
10 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
‘Unofficial Uber' driver guilty of kidnapping, attempted rape and sexual assault
Graham Head, 68, had latex gloves, condoms, Viagra tablets and a balaclava in his silver Mercedes estate when he was arrested in November 2022. In his home, business cards advertising him as a 'N-Uber driver' were emblazoned with the slogan 'Safe and Reliable – For All Occasions' underneath one of his phone numbers. In July 2023, Head, of Pevensey, East Sussex, was handed a 23-year sentence for the kidnap and attempted rape of a 25-year-old woman, along with assault by penetration of a 19-year-old woman. In November 2024, the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction following a complaint from Head relating to the judge who presided over the original trial. On Thursday, he was convicted of all charges again by a jury of seven men and five women after eight hours of deliberation at Lewes Crown Court. During the trial, jurors heard that Head was a 'sexual predator' who 'slipped up' the night he was arrested by police. He claimed that he offered the 25-year-old a lift home but did not touch her and never met his other alleged victim. Prosecutor Paul Jarvis KC said: 'The defendant is a sexual predator. Basing himself in Pevensey and ostensibly working as an unofficial Uber driver or taxi driver. 'He was also looking for vulnerable young women who he could sexually abuse. 'He carried Viagra and condoms with him, either on his person or in his car, as well as latex gloves. He would use the latex gloves to minimise the risk of leaving traces of his DNA on his victims.' Head had two mobile phones and was 'savvy enough' to know that if he kept them on while he was driving, the network provider could record his movements so kept them in flight mode while he was searching for victims, the court was told. The two attacks are said to have taken place in the early hours of August 19 2022, in Hove Park and November 18 2022 outside the alleged victim's home. Mr Jarvis said: 'Now in August 2022, she (the first victim) was 19 years old. When she was, we say, intoxicated and vulnerable in the early hours of the morning the defendant sexually assaulted her in Hove Park.' 'In November 2022, she (the second victim) was 25 years old. When she was also vulnerable and intoxicated in the early hours of the morning, Mr Head kidnapped her and sexually assaulted her in his car and then drove off leaving her distressed on the roadside. 'On both occasions, the defendant was driving his grey Mercedes estate motor vehicle with the registration number L21 GRH.' The 25-year-old was able to remember the 'L21' portion of Head's number plate, which led to police pulling his car over and arresting him the same night, jurors heard. 'He slipped up on November 19 2022 in two respects. First because his victim was alert enough to be able to memorise part of the licence plate for the police to be able to identify his car when they saw it,' said Mr Jarvis. The 25-year-old had been on a night out and had consumed alcohol and cocaine on the night in question, the court heard. Her account is that a man pulled up alongside her and told her he was an Uber driver who had just finished his shift but would give her a free ride home. Journeys from Middle Street, in Brighton, where the victim left Monarch Bar, to the victim's home address were found after analysis of the satnav in Head's Mercedes. Mr Jarvis continued: 'He offered to give her a life home but his real plan was to drive around until he was satisfied she was fast asleep so he could sexually assault and rape her. 'He drove close to her home address and tried to rape her in the back seat of his car but she came to and kicked him away.' The 25-year-old has since died and did not give evidence at the trial. Head will be sentenced on August 22 2025.
Motor 1
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Mercedes Makes 'Course Correction' to Extend Combustion Engine Life
It was only a few days ago that Audi announced plans to continue producing gas-powered cars longer than initially intended , and now its long-time rival, Mercedes, is essentially saying the same thing. Head honcho Ola Källenius admitted the Stuttgart-based automaker has had to make a 'course correction' and retain internal combustion engines longer than initially planned. As a refresher, the company announced a few years back that it aimed to go fully electric 'where market conditions allow' as early as 2030. The Mercedes chairman and CEO told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport that 'electrified high-tech combustion engines will run longer than we originally expected.' While he didn't provide an exact timeline, he referred to the dual gas-and-electric strategy as the optimal solution given the slower-than-expected EV adoption: 'In the current situation, I think the most rational approach is for an established manufacturer to do both and not neglect either technology." Photo by: Mercedes-Benz Automakers retreating from their previously lofty EV goals has fueled a misconception about a general decline in the electric car market. While it's true that some companies are struggling, including Mercedes, which reported a 23% drop in 2024, the overall segment is growing. The International Energy Agency reports EV sales jumped by more than 25% last year, reaching 17 million vehicles. Additionally, BloombergNEF's annual Electric Vehicle Outlook, published just yesterday, projects sales of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles will surge by 25% this year compared to 2024, reaching nearly 22 million units. As you'd expect, China is estimated to account for the lion's share, with almost two-thirds of PHEV and EV sales, according to the same study. As with rivals BMW and Audi, China remains Mercedes' largest market, despite a 7% decline in sales last year to 683,600 combustion and electric vehicles. Speaking of which, Källenius claims Chinese buyers 'don't just use their cars to get from A to B. For many, it's also a second living room.' Maybe that explains the heavy reliance on screens in recent models wearing the three-pointed star. Germany's luxury trio will continue to offer a mix of combustion and electric cars well into the 2030s, appealing to both camps. It remains unclear what will happen in countries that follow European Union regulations, which from the middle of the next decade will prohibit automakers from selling new vehicles that emit harmful pollutants. Some car companies are likely hoping for a delay in the ban, but the EU shows no signs of backing down. Keep Up With Mercedes: Mercedes Is Killing Two Models You Probably Don't Remember Yikes: The Mercedes CLA EV Is Heavier Than a Base S-Class Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Auto Motor and Sport Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Team boss Vowles signs long-term Williams F1 contract
LONDON - Williams team principal James Vowles has signed a new long-term contract, the former Formula One world champions said on Thursday. Vowles, 45, joined Williams from Mercedes in 2023 and has helped turn around their fortunes with the British-based team fifth overall after 10 of 24 races. Williams, who gave no details about the contract, have scored more points (55) this season with drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon than in the last three combined. Vowles said in a statement the team had "felt like home from the moment I walked through the door." "We are all united in our ambition to build on our legacy and win World Championships again. Over the past two years we have focused on fixing the foundations, and now have a platform to go for glory in the years to come." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
