Latest news with #MercedesBenz
Auto Car
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
This tyre-roasting Mercedes supercar was once £142,000 – now it's a £12k bargain
An autumn day in 2003. The job was a good one: compare a Bentley Continental GT with a Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG. I must confess I went into it carrying something no road tester should: prejudice. Not nationalistic prejudice, or brand prejudice - more a suspicion that this rakish new Bentley, with its W12, all-wheel drive, and beautiful cabin, would be the better car. The Merc, I thought, would be just another blinged-up AMG sledgehammer. The torque figure should have given me pause. 738lb ft is a lot. Enough, in fact, that the Bentley was comfortably outgunned in a straight line. Still, I suspected it would be the more satisfying, more rounded car. The CL65, after all, was painted in Dubai-spec off-white and wore more chrome than a Lincoln Town Car. Its cabin looked like a Mercedes C-Class trimmed in walnut and switchgear. I took the Bentley out first. Its key fob was an intricate thing, all knurled chrome and deep enamel. I headed for what Autocar once called the 'ride road,' a narrow lane near Chobham test track with lots of crests, camber, and broken surfaces. It used to be a brutal test of suspension finesse, until the council resurfaced it. Still, the Bentley's plush ride revealed its limits on this road. The GT did well, considering its mass, but the short, sharp stuff caught it out. The cabin creaked. The seats squeaked. The leather made that curious rubbing noise you get in Jaguars and old Jermyn Street shoe shops. The Bentley felt indomitable, not least because it put its power down cleanly. And the cabin really was a wonderful place to be. But it still drove too much like a posh Phaeton. Later GTs would improve the formula dramatically. But on that day, it was the Mercedes that impressed. The ride quality was the first surprise. Thanks to its clever ABC hydraulic suspension and four square Michelins, the CL65 soaked up the surface like a Mercedes S-Class. Then, in the next moment, it would turn in like a hot hatch. It was a riot. You could pull the ESP back, roast the tyres, or just use that astonishing torque to lean on the rear axle and power out of corners like a massive, automatic Caterham. It was faster than the Bentley and more fun. It won the test. It was also more spacious in the back and scored bonus points for having a boot. The interior was still a bit C-Class, but somehow that mattered less now. I wasn't the only one who loved it. A friend of mine worked at Mercedes at the time. He convinced his boss to enter a CL65 demonstrator in the Brighton Speed Trials. It monstered a Ferrari F40, clocking 12.57s to the Ferrari's 12.88s. All he had to do was press the brake, floor the throttle, wait for the torque converter to stall, then release. The V12 bellowed and the gearbox cracked through its ratios like a switchblade. The commentator, used to Allards and backyard specials, couldn't quite believe it. 'Ladies and gentlemen,' he announced, 'this is a completely stock car.'
News18
an hour ago
- 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.
The Independent
11 hours ago
- The Independent
Elderly man drives down Rome's historic Spanish steps after mistaking monument for a road
This is the moment an elderly man drove his car down Rome 's historic Spanish Steps, later telling police he thought he was on his way to work. The 81-year-old, wearing a suit and tie, was seen behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan as it descended the 18th-century monument at dawn on Tuesday, 17 June. Speaking to municipal police at the scene, the man reportedly said he did not realise where he was. He tested negative for alcohol, but authorities are now considering whether to revoke his driving licence. Firefighters later removed the vehicle with a crane, while experts from Italy 's culture ministry are assessing possible damage to the landmark.
ArabGT
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Mercedes Turns the Tables as Gasoline Engines Stay Alive
In a major shift from its previous long-term vision, Mercedes-Benz has restructured its strategy to give gasoline engines and hybrid powertrains a central role in its lineup well into the next decade. Moving away from an aggressive all-electric push, the automaker is now taking a more measured, market-driven approach—one that reflects real consumer demand rather than idealistic EV targets. A More Pragmatic Path Forward While Mercedes had previously committed to becoming an all-electric brand by 2030, shifting global dynamics have led the company to reassess that trajectory. Slowing electric vehicle uptake in Europe and North America, coupled with volatile battery prices and inconsistent government incentives, have revealed the limitations of an overly ambitious EV rollout. Rather than focusing solely on battery-electric platforms, Mercedes now plans to retain and refine its gasoline engines and hybrid systems. This updated approach reflects a more grounded response to evolving consumer behavior across global markets. Massive Investment to Modernize Engines This updated strategy is supported by substantial financial backing. Mercedes has allocated approximately €14 billion to upgrade its internal combustion and hybrid systems. These investments include enhancements to its renowned V6 and V8 powertrains to comply with stricter emissions regulations in both Europe and China. Through advancements in fuel efficiency and emissions performance, the company aims to keep traditional engines viable within tightening regulatory frameworks, while maintaining the performance and luxury standards expected of the brand. Responding to Global Market Trends Recent sales data played a role in shaping this new approach. In China—Mercedes' largest single market—vehicle deliveries declined significantly in 2024. Similar patterns have emerged in other key regions, prompting the brand to adopt a strategy that is both adaptive and diversified. Rather than focusing exclusively on electrification, Mercedes is choosing to offer a broader portfolio that includes EVs, hybrids, and next-generation combustion engines. This flexible approach enables the company to respond swiftly to shifts in demand across different geographic markets. The Dual Powertrain Strategy Development of Mercedes' dedicated electric vehicle platform, continues as scheduled, with its first models expected to debut mid-decade. However, gasoline engines, alongside hybrid powertrains, will remain a core part of the lineup for the foreseeable future—likely extending through the end of the decade and potentially beyond. This recalibrated strategy reflects a more flexible vision for the future of mobility. While electrification remains a central objective, preserving gasoline and hybrid options enables Mercedes to serve a wider range of customers, adapt to regional market differences, and manage the transition to lower-emission technologies without sacrificing performance or brand identity.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Mercedes-Benz recalls over 92,000
Mercedes-Benz has recalled more than 92,000 vehicles in the US due to a serious safety issue that could heighten the risk of injury in a crash. The recall affects 92,851 cars from model years 2023 through 2025, all of which come equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The issue arises from a structural flaw that could cause the car's C-pillar, the rearmost support beam, to fail in certain collisions. This could put passengers at risk, as their heads might make contact with the pillar, which may not absorb the impact as required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. In a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on June 9, Mercedes-Benz revealed that the recall impacts several models, and that those involved may not meet the necessary impact absorption standards. As a result, passengers could be exposed to greater danger in an accident. What Should Owners Do? Owners of the recalled vehicles should visit their nearest Mercedes-Benz dealership to have the C-pillar trim and roof lining modified at no cost. Notification letters will be sent out to affected customers on August 4, 2025. For more information, Mercedes-Benz owners can contact customer service at 1-800-367-6372. How to Check If Your Car Is Affected? If you're unsure whether your vehicle is part of the recall, you can easily check by entering your car's details into the NHTSA recall database or the USA TODAY recall database for up-to-date information. Which Models Are Affected? 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E, 2024–2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 4MATIC, 2023–2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.
