NEWS
MERCEDES-AMG READIES 416 BHP GLA 45 FOR 2020
The first prototypes of the second-generation Mercedes-AMG GLA have hit the roads in
preparation for a 2020 debut. Alongside the new GLA 45, which is set to get up to 416bhp from
a 2.0-litre engine, a new 302bhp entry-level GLA 35 is on the cards. Both are all-wheel drive.
The hot crossover is the sixth AMG-tuned compact bodystyle, joining the A-Class hatchback
and saloon, the CLA saloon and Shooting Brake, and the GLB SUV.
2 1 AUGUST 2019 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 13
MPs call for phone-driving ban
MOBILE PHONE USE behind
the wheel should be banned
entirely, according to the
Transport Committee.
In a new report, the group of
MPs called on the government
to extend the ban on handheld
devices to hands-free ones,
stating that “evidence shows
that using a hands-free device
creates the same risks of
crashing”.
The committee also said
that all phone use while driving,irrespective of whether it
involves sending or receiving
data, should be stopped.
Throughout the UK in 2017,
773 casualties, including 43
deaths and 135 serious injuries,
we r e c a u s e d by co l l i s i o n s i n
which a driver using a mobile
phone was a contributory
factor. The number of
people killed or seriously
injured in such incidents
has risen steadily since 2011.
The committee also called
for tougher enforcement,
stating that the rate of
prosecutions has plunged by
more than two-thirds since
- It said the government
should work with police to
“boost enforcement and make
better use of technology”.
The penalty for using ahandheld phone while driving
was increased in 2017 to an
automatic fixed penalty notice,
including a £200 fine and six
penalty points.
However, the committee
said these penalties
“still do not appear to be
commensurate with the risk
created and should be reviewed
and potentially increased
so that it is clear there are
serious consequences to
being caught”.
Committee chair Lilian
Greenwood MP said: “Despite
the real risk of catastrophic
consequences for themselves,
their passengers and other
road users, far too many
drivers continue to break
the law by using handheld
mobile phones.“If mobile phone use while
driving is to become as socially
unacceptable as drink-driving,
much more effort needs to go
into educating drivers about
the risks and consequences
of using a phone behind the
wheel. Offenders also need to
know there is a credible risk of
being caught.
“There is also a misleading
impression that hands-free
use is safe. The reality is that
any use of a phone distracts
from a driver’s ability to pay full
attention and the government
should consider extending the
ban to reflect this.”
Most of the bodywork
i s b esp o ke. Au d i s ays
0-62mph takes 3.6sec
There’s the same
565-litre boot as the
standard A6 Avant’s
Transport committee
wants handheld ban
extended to all usage
Eight-speed auto
channels 590lb ft
to all four wheels
FRANCESCO D’AMORE,
RS 6 AVANT EXTERIOR DESIGNER
Q&A
Is it a challenge styling a
high-performance estate?“The [old] RS6 is a hero for
us and we had to think about
how to top it. It’s changed
a lot from the standard A6.
This is Darth Vader. It’s the
autobahn killer.”
Where did the design
inspiration come from?
“We looked at the old RS cars
and wanted to go in a clear,
clean direction. Audi cars are
always simple and super-
precise. The motorsport
guys always say ‘we reduce,
we don’t add’,
so we just
applied that
here. From
some angles,
it looks like a
DTM touring car.”
What is your favourite
feature of the design?
“The bonnet makes it stand
out, because the A6 doesn’t
have the powerdome. The
bespoke bonnet was a big
investment, but we managed
to convince everybody, and
it was worth it.”
button positioned on the
steering wheel. As well as
adjusting the engine and
handling responses, they also
enable bespoke information on
the Virtual Cockpit system.
The RS6 sits on 21in wheels
as standard, with 22in wheels
available as an option, and
offers adaptive air suspension
as standard. The RS6 rides
20mm lower than the standard
A6 and it is lowered by an extra
10mm beyond 75mph. Sport
suspension, featuring dynamic
ride control, is optional. The
standard steel brakes can be
upgraded to ceramic discs.
The RS6 Avant is due on sale
in the UK in early 2020. Pricing
has yet to be set, but expect
a small increase over the
£79,470 of the previous model.
The RS6 Avant will also be sold
in the US for the first time.
JAMES ATTWOOD
SPY SHOT
MERCEDES-AMG GLA 45