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The new Mercedes-Benz EQS saloon is in the closing stages of development, but the German auto-maker has unveiled a highlight of the interior which it has called the ‘MBUX Hyperscreen’.

The EQS will be an electric saloon that’ll sit alongside the new Mercedes S-Class and will offer the very latest in luxury and technology. It is expected to be launched later this year and have an estimated range of 400 miles.

Mercedes’ ‘regular’ MBUX infotainment system is to get thoroughly overhauled for the EQS. If you tick the option for it, the EQS will be offered with a one-piece dashboard insert that includes a digital instrument cluster, a media screen and another screen for the front-seat passenger. The system is called the ‘MBUX Hyperscreen’, and even includes ambient lighting and two air vents within the seamless design.

MBUX Hyperscreen uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn your preferences, settings and often-visited destinations. We’re told it can get to know the driver and deliver personalised suggestions and shortcuts in a ‘context-sensitive’ way. There are seven user profiles and the car will learn which prompts to use for each one. The passenger screen becomes a decorative display when the seat is empty.

The car will be a competitor to the likes of the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S - and prices will reflect that - while rivals such as the Audi e-tron GT, electric BMW 7 Series and next-generation, all-electric Jaguar XJ will also be launched after the EQS.

MERCEDES-BENZ: New EQS to get full-width MBUX Hyperscreen

Mercedes-Benz was one of the earliest premium marques to embrace plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, so little wonder then that the Stuttgart manufacturer's current range offers more PHEV options than any other.

Tested: C 300 e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) estate, presented in ‘AMG Line Night Edition Premium Plus’.

C 300 e PHEV as tested: £51,155 (includes fitted options).

One of the first Mercedes-Benz model lines to get this technology was the evergreen C-Class and now that car features it in both C 300 e petrol form and an in C 300 de diesel guise.

The current, fourth-generation C-Class estate first arrived in 2015 and in late 2018 it received a facelift to keep it fresh against its competitors. I recently enjoyed an all-too-brief spell with KP70 LZD, a C 300 e PHEV petrol estate, presented in sporty ‘AMG Line Night Edition Premium Plus’ trim and finished in ‘Designo Hyacinth Red metallic’…

There are few visual giveaways to differentiate this PHEV variant over the regular C-Class. The lower-case ‘e’ in the C 300 e designation is a clue, as is the discreet ‘EQ Power’ badge on the trailing edges of the front wheel arches. There is also the additional flap to the lower right of the tailgate for the charging point.

Inside you'll find a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the superior 'Comand Online' infotainment system which offers internet access, voice control, traffic information data and advanced hard disc 3D navigation.

Business drivers will particularly like the 'Comand Online' system's 'In-Car Office' feature, a Mercedes me connect service which allows drivers use of certain office functions directly in the vehicle and access to important data – almost as if they were in their office.

For example, it uses the locations of calendar entries and automatically transfers these to the car's navigation system. The user can also dial into a telephone conference on the basis of a calendar entry and the system will automatically detect the required PIN access code before simultaneously dialling it. All that's needed is an active data connection.

Elsewhere, it's business as usual for the executive estate, with a well-designed interior that treads a careful line between being stylish and functional. Trinkets include swish circular air vents and cool ambient lighting, while Artico leather seats and wooden trim remind you this is a cut above more mainstream models.

The C 300 e boasts plenty of room for adults in the front and rear seats, with more space between the front and rear wheels than any previous C-Class model. The standard C-Class estate has a 490-litre boot (with the rear seats up), stretching to 1,510 litres with them folded flat. For this plug-in hybrid model, those numbers are reduced by around 150-litres respectively, thanks to the PHEV tech located under the boot area.

Where SUVs can offer the usefulness of sliding and reclining rear seats, there’s less scope for such seating flexibility in this traditional estate. With the C-Class you get rear seats that simply split and fold in a 40/20/40 configuration to make extra room for luggage, but the front passenger seatback doesn’t fold flat for when you want to carry particularly long loads.

The standard electric tailgate gives easy access to the C-Class estate’s boot and the motorised luggage cover also rises automatically. There is also a low load lip and some useful under-floor storage.

AMG Line ‘Night Edition Premium Plus’ equipment

As you would expect of a German premium marque, the C-Class comes very well equipped as standard, with levels of kit rising exponentially as you do the range walk.

On the AMG Line ‘Night Edition Premium Plus’ model as tested, additional standard kit includes 19-inch black alloys, Multibeam LED headlights, full leather furniture, Active Park Assist with Parktronic 360o overhead view, electric tailgate, AMG Sports electric/heated seats, dual-zone climate control, Burmester 590W sound system, an eight-metre charging cable and keyless go.

Options fitted to this car included the Designo Hyacinth red metallic paint (£895), and a ‘Driving Assistance’ package (£1,695), which adds Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Braking Assist with cross-traffic function, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane-change Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Route-based speed adaptation and Pre-Safe Plus.

The hybrid drive system in the C 300 e combines a 2.0-litre 211 bhp petrol engine with a 122 bhp electric motor. Intelligent technology, courtesy of the third-generation EQ Power hybrid transmission, makes for smooth gear changes.

As usual on a C-Class, the powertrain works through a standard nine-speed automatic gearbox which works with the usual 'Eco', 'Comfort' and 'Sport' driving modes that alter drive response, steering feel and ESP settings.

On a full charge, the C 300 e is capable of driving up to 34 miles before the petrol engine wakes up, and that includes the flexibility of an electric top speed of over 80mph, so it's not limited to town work.

That electric range unsurprisingly gives the C 300 e attractive efficiency figures, so while its 162 mpg maximum fuel economy should be taken with a pinch of salt, CO2 emissions of around 43g/km will be of most interest to company-car drivers, bringing down the cost of Benefit-in-Kind tax markedly.

If your commute is within the C-Class hybrid estate's electric range and you can keep the battery topped up with regular charging at work and at home, you may hardly use any petrol at all during routine day-to-day driving.

For the most part, driving around town in pure-electric mode is a serene, relaxing experience, although it can take a bit of practice to pull away from traffic lights smoothly given the electric motor's instant and seamless power delivery.

Progress is near-silent, with just a faint hint of motor and transmission whine to remind you of how the car is powered. Once it switches on, the C 300 e’s engine is barely noticeable on start-up.

If overall efficiency isn't a priority and, should the mood take you, the C 300 e can be a pretty rapid thing, thanks to quite a prodigious total system output of 320 bhp, enough to dispatch 62 mph from rest in 5.5 seconds en route to a limited 155 mph. There is 350 Nm of torque available from the engine and 440 Nm from the electric motor.

However, drive with a significant dollop of enthusiasm and its 1,870 kg kerb weight will become apparent – that’s about 200 kg more than the regular, non-hybrid C 300 petrol variant.

For those preferring a more absorbent ride, Mercedes’ Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping system was standard on the test car and is rather desirable. 'Air Body Control', as Mercedes call it, promises a cosseting ride when you want luxury or more composed sports car-like handling when pressing on.

Underway, the Mercedes C 300 e estate will assist you in getting the best possible fuel-efficiency by suggesting when to lift off the throttle, factoring in an imminent change of speed limit or downhill stretch of road. When it comes to handling, the regular non-hybrid C-Class feels a tad sharper and quicker than the C 300 e, which is an unavoidable consequence of the weight added by the hybrid system.

As befits any Mercedes-Benz, the new C-Class is extremely safe, with a wealth of safety equipment and crash know-how poured into the popular model. It was awarded five stars from independent crash-test body Euro NCAP and, along with seven airbags, there are a multitude of systems designed to avoid or mitigate collisions.

The Mercedes C-Class is unique among plug-in hybrid estates in offering buyers a choice of petrol-electric or diesel-electric power. If diesel isn’t your thing, the petrol-electric C 300 e estate tested here makes for a sensible choice for the family or business executive mobility.

Would I get one? Surprisingly, there aren't many PHEV estate cars on offer, but I would undoubtedly shortlist it alongside the BMW 330e Touring, Volkswagen’s Passat GTE Estate or Arteon Shooting Brake eHybrid.

Key Facts as tested: Mercedes-Benz C 300 e PHEV estate

Engine: Front-mounted, 2.0-litre, 4-cyl / 16v in-line petrol.

Power output (combustion engine): 211 bhp @ 5,500 rpm.

Power output (electric motor): 122 bhp @ 2,500 rpm.

Maximum torque (combustion engine): 350 Nm @ 1,300 - 4,000 rpm.

Maximum torque (electric motor): 440 Nm @ 2,000 rpm.

Equivalent all-electric range: 29.8 - 34.1 miles (WLTP).

Combined electrical consumption: 2.55 – 2.26 kWh / km.

Charging time (0-100%): Domestic socket: 5 hrs / Wallbox: 1 hr 30 mins.

Transmission: 9G-TRONIC PLUS nine-speed automatic.

MPG (combined WLTP): 149 mpg, depending on options fitted.

Fuel tank capacity: 50 litres (11 Imperial gallons).

2020/21/22/23 BiK rate % (Benefit in Kind): 10% > 11% > 12%.

Towing weight kg (braked/unbraked): 1,800 / 750.

Service intervals: Every 12 months or 10,000 miles.

Warranty / roadside assistance: 3 years, unlimited miles / 3 years (pan-European).

Review: 2020 Mercedes-Benz C 300 e PHEV Estate

Based on the V-Class, the EQV all-electric MPV is Mercedes’ second electric model after the EQC SUV and is one of the first electric MPVs on sale in the UK.

The EQV looks broadly similar to the current V-Class, with the electric version featuring larger LED headlights, a chrome grille with full-width LED lighting, restyled front and rear bumpers and aero-efficient alloy wheels with blue accents.

Inside, there’s blue leather trim and rose gold accents alongside Mercedes’ latest hi-tech infotainment system, which now features a self-learning voice control function. There are EV-specific tech changes, including a satnav that monitors the charge of the batteries and indicates where charging stations are available when driving, as well as a smartphone app that can be used to pre-heat the interior and pay for charging.

The UK will only get the extra-long wheelbase model, with eight seats as standard.

With a starting price of over £70,000, the EQV costs £15,500 more than the range-entry regular Mercedes V-Class and is expected to be higher than any of its electric rivals, including the Nissan e-NV200 and the upcoming Citroen e-SpaceTourer, Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life and Peugeot e-Traveller trio.

There are three trim levels called Sport, Sport Premium and Sport Premium Plus. The Sport model is well-equipped with alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, a reversing camera, a hands-free tailgate, electric sliding doors, an upgraded MBUX satnav system and a driver assistance tech package all included.

Sport Premium costs £2,230 more and adds a 360-degree camera, smartphone integration, rear table layouts and styling tweaks, while the top-spec Sport Premium Plus adds a premium sound system, bigger alloys and air suspension for £77,145.

Based on the current Mercedes V-Class, the EQV is powered by a 100kW battery located under its floor, meaning that passenger space is unchanged from the Mercedes V-Class MPV. It offers a claimed 213 miles of range, which is rather decent considering the car’s 3,500kg gross weight and supplies power to electric motors that provide a healthy 201hp. Mercedes has not confirmed any performance details aside from the EQV’s top speed of 99mph.

More relevant to EQV buyers is the MPV’s standard-fit fast-charging ability. Recharging from 10 to 80 percent battery capacity takes 45 minutes using a public rapid charger and, adding 60 miles should take just 15 minutes.

Using an 11kW wallbox, the EQV will fully recharge in around 10 hours. The Mercedes EQV offers a selection of driving modes which includes an E+ mode to maximise available range. Drivers can choose from different levels of brake regeneration; choose the strongest level and you’ll be able to slow to a stop without using the brake pedal.

MERCEDES-BENZ: Eight-seat EQV available to order

Mercedes-Benz EQC all-electric SUV customers now have access to POLAR, the UK’s largest public electric vehicle charging network. Operated by BP Chargemaster, POLAR is now available along with other charging networks, through one optional subscription, via ‘Mercedes me Charge’.

A three-year subscription to ‘Mercedes me Charge’ comes as standard with the EQC, and due to the unique cooperation between Mercedes-Benz Cars UK and BP Chargemaster, ‘Mercedes me Charge’ customers in the UK can upgrade their basic plan to have access to a POLAR Plus membership (6 months subscription free). This membership provides the driver with a lower cost electricity tariff than on the basic option.

The EQC’s route-optimised navigation system calculates and directs drivers to their nearest ‘Mercedes me’ charge points, taking into account the remaining electric range. Customers can also use the voice-activated MBUX system to find charging locations, as well as their availability and electricity pricing.

Access to the charging stations is provided by the ‘Mercedes me Charge’ card, ‘Mercedes me App’ or via the vehicle's media display – and customers benefit from a payment function with billing managed through ‘Mercedes me’.

Jason Allbutt, Head of Product Management Mercedes-Benz Cars UK said “With the launch of our first EQ SUV, it was important to help consumers with public charging accessibility. With #Mercedes me Charge’, customers no longer need individual subscriptions to charging networks and can now access many charge points via the vehicle’s head unit or the ‘Mercedes me’ app.”

Matteo de Renzi, CEO of BP Chargemaster said “The POLAR network is the UK’s largest public charging network and is growing rapidly, with focus on providing a nationwide network of 150kW ultra-fast charging – all ideally suited to the EQC. BP Chargemaster’s partnership with Mercedes-Benz means customers can charge their EQCs via charging locations across the UK and at increasingly ultra-fast speeds. We continue to support EV drivers with their charging needs at home, at work and on the road, with all electricity usage on our public charging network certified as 100% renewable through REGOs.”

BP Chargemaster is also the Mercedes-Benz Cars UK preferred partner for customer home charging wall boxes, which are eligible for the government’s EV ‘Homecharge Scheme’ grant.

MERCEDES-BENZ: EV charging service partners with BP Chargemaster’s POLAR network

The high-performance compact SUV has been revealed online and is expected to go on sale in the UK in April with a price tag in the region of £53,000.

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S 4Matic+ that was due to be revealed at the cancelled Geneva Motor Show this week, has been revealed online instead. It goes on sale in the UK in April and first deliveries for the high-performance compact SUV are expected in summer with a price tag in the region of £53,000.

Delivering 415hp on full whack from its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the GLA 45 S will be one of the fastest SUVs ever built. Aided by its sophisticated 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, it can reach 62mph from a dead start in just 4.3 seconds, topping out to an electronically limited 168mph – which should be scary enough for most drivers.

A lesser-powered 387hp Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 will be available in other countries, but not in the UK.

The engine in the GLA 45 S is currently the world's most powerful 2.0-litre and is also wedged into the Mercedes-AMG A45 S hatchback. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is fitted as standard. Interestingly, the engine has been turned around by 180-degrees, so the twin-scroll turbocharger is now at the back and the air intake towards the nose, improving efficiency and allowing for a lower-profiled bonnet. 'Two-stage' fuel injectors have been fitted to keep up with the engine's inevitable thirst for fuel in the higher rev range.

In addition to the omnipotent powerplant, the suspension, brakes and steering have also gone under AMG's knife. An adaptive suspension system dubbed ‘AMG Ride Control’ will be fitted with three settings aimed at comfort and fast driving. Six-piston front brakes should provide more stopping power and can be easily spotted thanks to red painted callipers and black AMG lettering, while the steering has settings for relaxed and ‘enthusiastic’ driving.

Using the infotainment screen, drivers will also be able to switch between different settings for the ESP system for the first time. Labelled 'Basic', 'Advanced', 'Pro' and 'Master', the extra layer of customisation will range from preventing skids in the Basic mode, to allowing some oversteer in Master, which is best left for track use.

Exterior changes include bloated wheel arches, 19-inch AMG alloy wheels, LED headlights and a motorsport-style rear bumper diffuser, while a large rear wing will be optional. Inside there's a Nappa leather sports steering wheel and sports seats with contrasting yellow stitching.

2020 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S 4Matic+ The world’s most powerful T2.0-litre!

More details have been released on the highly-anticipated Mercedes-Benz eVito, which offers 112hp of power, 300Nm of torque, a 92-mile average range and a six-hour charging time.

The front-wheel drive eVito has joined the current Vito range and offers a standard specification that mirrors the ‘Pure’ model line of the regular Vito, including a height and rake adjustable steering wheel, hill start assist, electrically adjustable heated exterior mirrors, sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle, wood flooring and an adaptive brake light.

In addition to the Pure specification, the eVito exclusively offers Mercedes ProConnect, heated driver’s seat, air conditioning, a charging cable and a CanTrack vehicle tracker, all as standard too. A sound generator produces an audible signal at speeds up to 20mph, which means the silent eVito can be detected by pedestrians, cyclists and other road users at low speed.

Available in two lengths and priced from £39,895 (ex VAT) for the eVito Pure L2 and £40,415 (ex VAT) for the eVito Pure L3, the van is also eligible for the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) Grant. This means that customers can benefit from a 20% reduction on the vehicle purchase price, up to a maximum of £8,000.

The L2 model offers 6.0m3 of cargo volume, a kerb weight of 2,277kg, a GVW of 3,200kg and a payload of 923kg. The longer L3 offers 6.6m3 cargo volume, a 2,302kg kerb weight, a 3,200kg GVW and a payload of 898kg.

In addition to the Pure trim grade, the eVito Progressive will also be available and includes the following additions; colour coded bumpers, full wheel covers, front fog lights, headlight assist, 75mph speed limiter, Audio 15, lumbar support and electrically foldable mirrors – all as standard. The eVito Progressive L2 will be available from £41,600 (ex VAT) and £42,120 (ex VAT) for the longer L3 variant.

For both specification levels, Mercedes ProConnect comes as standard and is subscription-free for the first three years, with benefits including remote access, digital driver’s log, drive style monitoring, real-time variable servicing monitoring, parking time monitor and geo-fence options. In addition for the eVito, the vehicle benefits from pre-conditioning of the heaters and highlights vehicle charging options nearby.

The capacity of the underfloor battery is 41kWh and can be charged from 0 to 100% in approximately 6 hours, via a wall-box or at a charging station using the appropriate cable.

Thanks to the spiral shape of the four-metre charging cable provided, it is easy to handle when distances are different between the vehicle and a wall-box or charging station. The cable comes with a handy zipped bag to store it between uses.

In addition to the three driving modes on the new eVito, there are four energy-recovery levels to optimise the power consumption.

Mercedes-Benz Vans UK is committed to offering battery electric vehicles (BEVs) alongside conventional fuel types across the entire product range, starting with the eVito and continuing with the all-electric eSprinter panel van later in 2020.

New Mercedes-Benz eVito: Specs, Techs and Pricing

2019 was a fantastic year for car safety, and Euro NCAP has highlighted the Best of the Best in class for 2019

Safest cars revealed by Euro NCAP - Best of the Best in class 2019

Each year, Euro NCAP publishes a list of those cars that have performed best in their respective categories during the past 12 months.  	 
Euro NCAP last week published its annual Best in Class for 2019. Fifty-five cars were assessed, of which forty-one achieved the top accolade of a full five stars, which makes 2019 one of the most impressive years on record since Euro NCAP started to evaluate consumer safety of cars on the European market.

Mercedes-Benz regained its crown in the best performing Small Family Car category – this time with the CLA – a sporty alternative to the A-Class Sedan, which won last year’s Best in Class. The CLA achieved a score of more than 90% in three of the four areas of safety and delivered the best overall rating of the year. Mercedes-Benz went on to launch five more five-star vehicles in 2019, all with outstanding crash protection and driver assistance technology.

Tesla also made a strong appearance during 2019 with its Model X declared the winner in the Large Off-Road category, followed by the SEAT Tarraco in second place. The Tesla Model 3 topped the Electric and Hybrid vehicle class and, together with BMW’s 3 Series, shares top spot in the ‘Large Family’ category. The two cars concluded their respective tests with identical overall scores, with the BMW scoring better in pedestrian protection, and the Tesla edging it in Safety Assist. Skoda’s new Octavia was the runner-up in this category.

In the combined Small Off-road/Small MPV class, Subaru won with the new Forester, with excellent all-round performance during testing. Mazda’s new CX-30 and Volkswagen’s T-Cross were close followers in the category. Despite missing out on the top spot, Mazda had a good year, with the new Mazda 3 turning in a creditable performance in adult occupant protection and pipped to second place by the Mercedes-Benz CLA in the ‘Small Family Car’ category.

There was a tie in the Supermini class with the sporty Audi A1 and top-selling Renault Clio, both of which have been among Europe’s most popular and desirable hatchbacks for years. Their latest generations arrived in 2019 and fared equally well in testing. Newcomer Ford Puma was the runner-up in the category. The Supermini segment continues to be the most competitive in the market and the winners deserve credit for their uncompromising stance on safety.

Finally, a special mention went to BMW’s Z4, the only roadster tested in 2019, but set a new safety benchmark for the segment.

Best Large Family Car Hybrid and Electric: Tesla Model 3

Read our exclusive review of the Tesla Model 3!

Best Small Off-Road / MPV: Subaru Forester

Tag: Mercedes-Benz