The all-new Mercedes‑Benz CLA Shooting Brake with EQ Technology – more room for intelligence

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. The first electric Mercedes‑Benz Shooting Brake Panoramic roof and illuminated starry sky sets a new benchmark in the segment More space for passengers and luggage than in the previous model High everyday and travel suitability with a range of up to 761 kilometres according to WLTP1 Recharge up to 310 kilometres in 10 minutes3 The descriptions and data in this press release apply to the international model range of Mercedes-Benz. UK specification and technical data may vary. Copenhagen/Stuttgart. Just a few weeks after the premiere of the all-new CLA, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the second model of this completely new vehicle family. The all-new CLA Shooting Brake is the first electric Mercedes‑Benz available as an estate. It combines the elegance, sportiness and intelligence of the CLA with plenty of space for passengers and luggage as well as a high degree of interior versatility. Whether it’s a weekly shopping trip, a holiday with the whole family or a weekend trip with friends, it offers space for everything you need. The boot has a volume of 455 to 1,290 litres. The illuminated frunk under the front bonnet holds a further 101 litres. Surfboards or bicycles fit easily on the roof thanks to the standard roof rails. Their load capacity is 75 kilograms. And a jet ski or two motorcycles can be easily transported on a trailer. The towing capacity is up to 1,800 kilograms (braked). A WLTP range of up to 761 kilometres1 (CLA 250+ Shooting Brake with EQ Technology: combined energy consumption: 12.7-15.2 kWh/100 km | combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km | CO2 class: A)2 enables high everyday and travel suitability. Recharging for a further 310 kilometres3 (WLTP) is completed in 10 minutes. The European market launch of the CLA Shooting Brake with EQ Technology will start in March 2026. “The new CLA Shooting Brake is designed for those who appreciate the dynamism of a sporty vehicle but don’t want to compromise on space and practicality in everyday life. It combines intelligent technology and efficiency to deliver a fresh, engaging driving experience. For our customers, this means more space for individuality, travelling and for their own personal lifestyle.”Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Sales With the CLA Shooting Brake, Mercedes‑Benz is taking its conceptual invention of combining the sporty proportions of a four-door coupé with more cargo space and a large tailgate into the electric age. This concept celebrated its debut in 2012 with the CLS Shooting Brake. In 2015, Mercedes‑Benz successfully established itself in the compact segment with the first CLA Shooting Brake. Sporty proportions with a radiant front and unique rear designThe all-new CLA Shooting Brake is identical to the CLA Saloon right up to the B-pillar. This means a low greenhouse, sporty shark-nose design and a unique front panel with 142 individually illuminated chrome-look LED stars. Together with the optional MULTIBEAM LED headlights and light strip, the illuminated panel with a Mercedes‑Benz pattern contributes to the unmistakable identity of all models in the new vehicle family. The rear lights also have a star-shaped design and are connected by a light strip. The roofline of the CLA Shooting Brake stretches further back with a more gradual drop. The one-piece panoramic glass roof extends seamlessly from the windscreen frame to the rear end. The spoiler is painted black on the inside and in body colour on the outside. This gives the impression that the glass roof carries over into the rear windscreen. It brings an additional unique elegance to the rear end. Switchable large panoramic roof with illuminated starry skyThe large panoramic roof sets a new standard in the segment. It creates an exceptionally generous and open feeling of space. To protect against solar radiation, it consists of heat-insulating laminated safety glass with an infrared-reflecting and a low-emissivity (LowE) coating on the inside. This reduces heating of the vehicle interior in summer. In winter, the LowE coating reduces heat loss by reflecting the interior heat back into the room. At 200 nanometres, it is thinner than a human hair, which has a diameter of about 50,000 nanometres. The panoramic roof is optionally available with a new function. With it, the transparency of the glass can be changed in 10 to 20 milliseconds. Passengers can choose between transparent for a clear view upwards or opaque for more privacy. The opaque (milky) state not only protects against prying eyes from outside but also offers improved glare protection in direct sunlight. It is operated via a corresponding menu in the vehicle settings in the head unit. As the icing on the cake, the large panoramic roof is even illuminated. For the first time, it is connected to the ambient lighting and offers an illuminated starry sky. 158 stars are integrated into its glass surface, which can be illuminated in the individually selected colour of the ambient lighting. The light is fed in from the front via LED modules. The starry sky is almost invisible during the day. But in the dark, it surprises with a unique visual experience, especially for the rear passengers. It invites you to lean back and relax and also attracts attention from the outside. In combination with the new light signature at the front and rear, the illuminated glass roof gives the CLA Shooting Brake an unrivalled appearance. More spacious than ever before – more room for passengers and luggageThe longer roof with a roofline that slopes gently towards the rear provides more headroom in the second row of seats than in the CLA (+26 millimetres). Access to the rear is also even more comfortable thanks to the larger door cut-outs. Compared to its predecessor, the all-new CLA Shooting Brake offers more headroom in each of the five seats thanks to a higher roofline. The increase for rear passengers is seven millimetres. In the front row of seats, the headroom increase is 14 millimetres, while legroom has increased by 11 millimetres. The all-new CLA Shooting Brake is 35 millimetres longer (4,723 millimetres) and 27 millimetres higher (1,469 millimetres)…

Kia adds new level to navigation with the launch of Google Points of Interest

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. Kia continues to offer new digital features that can elevate the vehicle’s capabilities and make driving more convenient A POI can be any establishment with a name and location that is recognised by Google, marked on the map with up-to-date information Further Kia models with connected car Navigation Cockpit will receive Google POIs as a free over-the-air software update The Kia EV4 is the brand’s first electric hatchback, designed specifically for Europe to navigate cities, cross the continent, and make electrified mobility available to more customers. Versatile and practical, the model is also highly connected – the EV4 is Kia’s first model to include Google Points of Interest (POIs) as part of the navigation system. For many, Google is the go-to method for looking up information about places, establishments, attractions, and sights. A POI can be any establishment with a name and location that is recognised by Google and is marked as a pin on the map, along with up-to-date information. The addition of Google POIs to the EV4 navigation system enables customers to access extensive POI details, including parking, opening hours, prices, busy periods, and much more, on top of getting an improved turn-by-turn route directly to the POI. “Offering extensive details about places through Google POIs enables customers to make informed decisions ahead of each journey and to adjust once they are on the road,” said Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President of Product & Marketing at Kia Europe. “Places close, opening hours change, more parking is made available, and giving our customers all of this information and more on the in-car screen adds an exciting new level to navigation and the driving experience.” Google POIs will be available in the Kia EV4 from the start of vehicle production. All other Kia models with connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) will be able to receive Google POIs as a free update this summer and all upcoming Kia models with ccNC will come with Google POIs preinstalled. An important benefit of Google POIs is that real-time updates are made directly by users within the Google ecosystem, to continuously improve and enhance the quality of location information. This extends to including recent photos, menus, ratings, reviews, accessibility and more. Ends Kia UK PR contact detailsFor further information on Kia please visit www.kiapressoffice.com or contact: Daniel SaylesHead of Press & Public Relations E: dsayles@kia.co.ukM: +44 7747 149 149 Tom RichardsPress Relations Manager E: trichards@kia.co.ukM: +44 7500 799 599 Milissa OrdoñaSenior Events Coordinator E: mordona@kia.co.ukM: +44 7553 520 911 Jonathan MuskSenior Corporate Communications Officer E: jmusk@kia.co.ukM: +44 7936 955 225 Chloe FarmerSenior Press Fleet Coordinator E: cfarmer@kia.co.ukM: +44 7917 218 522 Will ReesSenior Press Officer E: wrees@kia.co.ukM: +44 7795 011 475 Georgia BrownEvents Coordinator E: gbrown@kia.co.ukM: +44 7765 897 933 Poppy SargentPress Office Assistant E: psargent@kia.co.ukM: +44 7557 671 449 Follow Kia on Instagram @KiaUKPR Follow Kia at facebook.com/KiaUK Watch Kia at youtube.com/KiaUK

Power play – new UK Government Electric Car Grant sparks questions, not confidence

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. London, UK 14 July 2025, embargoed to 22:30 Comment from Stuart Masson, Editorial Director of The Car Expert, on the recently announced Electric Car Grant from the UK Government. It is part of the Plan for Change and comes into effect on 16 July. “The Government’s new £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG), offering up to £3,750 off new electric cars priced under £37,000, looks good in a headline. But in reality, it feels like another policy designed to help car manufacturers far more than ordinary drivers. “At a time when an overwhelming majority of households buy used cars rather than new, focusing £650 million entirely on new vehicle sales seems short-sighted. There’s nothing here for used EV buyers – no support for those looking to switch from older, higher-polluting petrol and diesel cars to more affordable second-hand electric vehicles. If cutting emissions is the goal, wouldn’t helping these drivers make the most difference? “There’s also the question of whether this money will genuinely lower prices. History suggests otherwise. As seen with past EV grants, solar panel incentives and even stamp duty cuts, manufacturers and dealers often adjust prices upwards when grants are available – reducing or even eliminating the benefit for consumers. This, therefore, risks becoming just another subsidy absorbed into the industry’s bottom line. “Meanwhile, the Government’s approach feels inconsistent. This year alone, taxes on EVs have increased: road tax and Congestion Charge liability are coming for EVs from 2025, and cars priced above £40,000 face the same luxury car tax applied to petrol and diesel models. Now, suddenly, grants are back on the table to drive down EV prices. Such mixed messages undermine public confidence and feed into the myth that EVs are only affordable with government handouts. “Perhaps most frustrating of all, today’s funding could have tackled the UK’s biggest EV challenge: infrastructure. Poor public charging access remains the single biggest barrier for many would-be EV owners. Investing £650 million into charging stations across the UK would have benefited every EV driver – new and used – and accelerated adoption in every region. “In short, while this new grant will help some drivers, it’s hard to ignore the sense that industry lobbying has won out over strategic thinking. Supporting electric cars is essential – but this scheme feels more like a quick headline win than a real plan for change.” For further information, interviews or data requests, please use the media contacts listed below. – ENDS – About The Car Expert: Established in 2011, The Car Expert is the UK’s leading automotive consumer advice platform, reaching over two million readers annually. It offers unbiased and comprehensive guidance on all aspects of purchasing, financing, owning, and selling both new and used cars. Often referred to as the Rotten Tomatoes of the automotive industry, The Car Expert’s award-winning Expert Rating Index compiles and aggregates tens of millions of key data points on every new car (as well as a growing number of used cars), including almost 16,000 new car reviews from 35 of the UK’s top motoring websites. It also factors in complete safety data from Euro NCAP, reliability data and five-year running cost information. This Index uses scientific methods and data analysis to calculate a weighted average score, known as the Expert Rating, which allows for comparison across various brands and models. The Index also adjusts for the age of each review, giving more weight to recent ones, and standardises the diverse scoring systems used across different platforms. With 20+ million data points covering 500+ cars from 50+ manufacturers, the Expert Rating Index has become the trusted benchmark for evaluating and ranking new cars in the UK. For more information, visit: thecarexpert.co.uk Media Contact:Hannah Burgesshannah@hannahburgesspr.com+44 (0) 7730 570975