news inbrief

New 4dr A-class names its price

THE new Mercedes A-class saloon (above) will cost from £27,875, the firm has revealed. Initially, the Audi A3 rival will be available with two engines and in two specs.

The petrol-powered A 200 uses a 161bhp 1.3-litre turbo, while the A 180d has a 116bhp 1.5-litre diesel. Both models come with twin seven-inch displays, climate control and alloys as standard.

Sales soar ahead of test rules switch

SALES of new cars rocketed by 23.1 per cent in August as buyers took advantage of big dealer discounts ahead of new emission regulations coming into force.

From 1 September, new cars couldn’t be sold unless they were tested under the new WLTP regime, leading to many dealers offering heavy discounts on models tested under the old NEDC rules. This month’s figures are expected to show an equally significant drop.

Inside line on Skoda Paris showstopper

A NEW sketch (below) has given us a glimpse inside Skoda’s Vision RS concept ahead of its debut at next month’s Paris Motor Show.

The Czech marque is keen to emphasise the concept’s ‘sporty’ theme, reflected in the use of carbon fibre on the centre console and Alcantara-trimmed sports seats. The car previews a future look for a VRS model and a Rapid Spaceback replacement.