Motoring: Mercedes; Pawning a supercar; Luxury campers

THE ‘Everyman’ approach to car manufacturing adopted by Mercedes Benz has proved a successful marketing ploy for the German company – even if at times they’ve offered consumers something they didn’t know they really wanted.

Take the B-Class for example. When the model was launched in 2005 it was essentially an A-Class made a bit bigger – or possibly a C-Class hatchback. Did it really need a separate designation, asked the motoring industry.

Clearly Mercedes thought so – unless it was just a ploy to develop a product range with every letter of the alphabet.

However, the laugh is probably on us because since 2011 more than 350,000 of the front-wheel-drive B-Class sports tourer have been sold and the car has become a familiar sight on the streets of our cities, even if your average punter might find it hard to distinguish between the A and B.

Now Mercedes has launched the second generation of the B-Class and the car has undergone a major facelift, both inside and out. There will be a choice of three diesel models, with Mercedes claiming consumption figures ranging from 56.5 to 78.5 mpg. These will be complemented by two petrol engines offering between 42.8 and 52.3 mpg and an alternative drive system (B-Class Electric Drive), as well as optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

Deliveries of the new cars are expected to begin next month, with prices starting from £22,575 OTR (on the road) for the B 180 manual. The easiest way to recognise the facelifted B-Class is from the front, where a new bumper, wide radiator trim with two louvres and now integral daytime running lamps in the main headlamps have been designed to give the car a more organic and dynamic appearance.

The rear bumper has also been modified and now features a contoured covering and an additional chrome trim strip. LED High Performance headlamps help to create a more striking look while in practical terms, the wide beam pattern and daylight illumination make for safer driving at night. Bicolour tail lamps featuring LED technology provide a new emphasis and also make the vehicle more visible.

Inside, Mercedes has gone for a more exclusive, up-to-date feel. It has enhanced a number of details such as the large, free-standing information display unit, while the dial layout for the instrument cluster has also been redesigned. There is also a choice of 12 colours for the ambient lighting, helping drivers create the perfect mood for their journey.

Owning a supercar may be more of an asset than you think

THE recession has had a significant effect on our high streets, dramatically changing the nature of the shops on offer.

Where once we had food and fashion stores, now we have bookmakers and money lenders.

The rise of the latter has been one of defining trends of the past six years as those falling on hard times either look to gamble or pawn their possessions in an attempt to make ends meet.

So, as the difference between men and boys is defined by the size of their toys, what works for your wristwatch will also work for your car.

Personal asset lender – their term not mine – borro has compiled some new research which suggests more of us are using our cars as collateral for loans.

Only these aren’t your typical family runarounds – these are some of the most exclusive cars in the world.

It said that since its launch in 2008, it had seen an impressive array of vehicles drive into its climate-controlled car storage facility.

In one example, a car enthusiast borrowed £140,000 against a Ferrari GTB 4, while another borrowed £50,000 against a Bentley Continental S3. Aston Martins have also been used to secure impressive loans – a V8 Volante secured £42,000 and a DB6 a loan of £30,000.

In the supercar category there have been equally remarkable deals. One client used an Aston Martin Vanquish to secure a £137,000 loan and similarly a Rolls Royce Ghost achieved a £105,000 loan. Another client secured £60,000 through a Lamborghini Diablo.

In one instance, a customer needed funds to make up a shortfall of cash in a property deal. They used a Mercedes-Benz SLS Coupe (6.2 litre, 571 bhp, SLS AMG Coupe 2d Auto) as security for a £50,000 loan, which ensured the deal went through.

Paul Aitken, founder and chief executive of borro, said car enthusiasts across the country were now looking to unlock value from their vehicles but without selling the asset itself.

“Clients who come to us with these types of high performance vehicles often own another car for everyday use, so it makes sense to use it as security for a loan. There are a variety of reasons why these cars have gone into storage in the first place; some people may have a winter car and a summer car, some may have parking restrictions or excessive parking costs, while some purchase a number of cars for investment purposes,” he said.

“In the main, our clients are self-employed or small business owners, looking to unlock finance from prestige vehicles to facilitate business transactions or opportunities.”

In search of new horizons?

WHILE not being a camping or caravan enthusiast myself, I have learned over the years not to criticise those who are.

I was invited to attend this week’s Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC near Birmingham but had to decline due to work commitments. Not that it was really my cup of tea in the first place.

However, my eyes were opened by a surprising statistic which said that the industry itself is worth £6bn a year to the UK economy – £6bn, that’s pretty significant and worthy of acknowledgement.

Therefore I scouted around some of the information I had been sent and I offer you this by way of recognition.

Horizon MCV, a company with branches around the UK, has used the show to launch an all-new model. Horizon markets its MCVs – or multi-concept vehicles – as adaptable everyday vehicles, equally at home on the school run or transporting the family on a weekend getaway or long-distance tour. In a first for the company, it has used the Mercedes-Benz Vito as the basis for a new luxury campervan.

Sales director James Burt said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of the first luxury multi-concept vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz Vito, which we believe is the ultimate crossover between practicality and elegance for the ever-growing campervan industry.”

Starting life as a humble panelled Mercedes-Benz Dualliner, a Horizon MCV Vito undergoes a stage-by-stage hand build at the firm’s studios in Hull. Gradually the vehicle is transformed into a bespoke home on wheels complete with elevating roof.

Meanwhile, the Horizon MCV Vito Sport model, with a chrome grill, steel side bars, alloy wheels and load-rated tyres, is the perfect choice for those wanting to add that extra panache to their lavish lifestyle.

Tailored throughout with leather furnishings and Compac Quartz Granite surfaces, the interior features are intended to blend fine-living with common-sense practicability, while at the push of a button, the unique vehicle becomes a spacious sleeping quarter for up to four adults and a child as the back seats flatten electronically and the front seats swivel.
 
The design is enhanced by the vehicle’s performance. Each is equipped with an advanced four-cylinder CDI diesel engine which produces 136bhp. The vehicle also benefits from the latest Mercedes–Benz technologies such as sophisticated traction and stability controls.

Maybe I should reassess my prejudices.