Mercedes have finally revealed their all-new A-Class, and is the first among eight new compact models due by 2020, from the manufacturer.

 

The new A-Class is based on the modified version of the outgoing model's MFA platform that boasts of a wider front track and a longer wheelbase. The levels of refinement have taken a leap; so has aerodynamics. As far as the design goes - the new A-Class draws its inspiration from the recently revealed CLS. An AMG-like grille, the 'predator face' and the aggressively styled, swept-back headlamps are identical. The new headlamps can be specced with Multibeam LED technology with adaptive high-beam assist and cornering lights well. At the rear, the new tail lamps add to the visual muscle. Bigger wheels arches allow room for larger, 19-inch wheels.

 

Dimensions have seen an increase as well. The doors at the rear now allow for easier ingress on to the rear bench, while boot capacity is now an improved 370 litres.

 

On the inside, there is a black panel display mounted on the dashboard and switchgear that looks quite classy. Mercedes like calling it the 'widescreen cockpit' that comes in three themes: Classic, Sport and Discreet. It also gets two 7.0-inch displays - one shows an analogue instrument cluster, and the other, a touchscreen infotainment layout. Buyers can also opt for the extended version of the widescreen cockpit display which boasts of twin 10.3-inch screens, with a digital instrument display and touchscreen infotainment.

In this guise, it comes with high-definition navigation with live traffic updates and car-to-X communication with map updates, traffic sigh assist, a Burmester sound system, augmented reality navigation, and a head-up display unit.

Mercedes' MBUX connectivity system is an advanced optional speech recognition system that allows users to provide spoken commands through a "Hey, Mercedes" function - developed to recognise the language spoken by a person.

 

The new A-Class will come with a choice of three different engines: a 157hp 1.4-litre petrol engine, a 218 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 112hp 1.5-litre diesel engine. A 6-speed manual transmission comes as standard on the A200, while the A250 and A180d come fitted with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

 

Two choices of suspension systems will be on offer as well. McPherson struts at the front, the torsion-beam setup at the rear will be specified only to certain variants. The A250 and the variants with the optional 4-Matic four-wheel-drive system will get an updated version of the old car's multi-link setup at the rear.

 

With the Mercedes Dynamic Select system, the nature of the throttle, steering and gearbox can be adjusted, while the optional active damping control allows for a 'comfort' and 'sport' setting as well.

From a design that was almost mocked by many as a toy car, Formula E has come a long way now since its inception and it has taken 36 races, 20 drivers, 13 cities, ten teams, 5 continents, to get to this point of a changing experience that will impact the future of electric racing forever. Yes! The second generation Formula E race car has finally arrived and it is already tipped to harbinger the future of racing machines.

The ABB FIA Formula E Championship's next-generation car will be officially revealed at the Geneva motor show on March 6 2018. It is designed to be used for the next three seasons and it will make its competitive debut in the 2018/19 season. It comprises of almost double the energy storage capacity and double the range of the existing car and will enable teams and drivers to complete a full race at even higher speeds without making a mid-race swap.

It seems advancements in battery and electric motor technology and is represented as a revolution. FIA has drafted in leading designers from around the world to create a brand new car with overhead protection and plenty of sharp aero elements for increased downforce. It is considered as a seismic shift for the series with the design setting it apart from any other motorsport series.

Sadly for many traditional watchers, Formula 1 organisers have declared that the championship will end the using of grid girls from this season onwards. The move has brought in wide range of comments, whether support or against, this past week and it was the talk of the town.

 

The banning of grid girls is applied to all support events at grands prix and other Formula 1 events. F1 commercial chief Sean Bratches stated that the presence of grid girls was no longer fitting for our grand sport and it does not suit the new brand image that Liberty wants to imply in.

 

He said that over the last year Livery has looked at a number of areas which was felt needed updating. So as to be more in tune with their vision for this great sport, the decision was taken.

 

While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1 grands prix for decades, they felt this custom does not resonate with their brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms.

 

Formula 1 is not the only series rethinking approach to women as Formula E dropped them last year itself. Even the United Kingdom’s Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) last week announced the termination of walk-on girls.

Formula 1 has announced revisions to the weekend schedule this year with most of the European races starting at 3.10 pm there. The sport’s owner, Liberty, is set about making changes to the whole of F1 and as part of it the shake-up has come as the biggest in recent years.

 

The whole weekend timetable in the European races is shifted back in a move to help attract a large number of television audience and make the spectacle watchable for viewers but it certainly has drawn some criticisms.

 

From this year, the grands prix will now start 10 minutes past the hour as it is said to allow broadcasters better fit in the pre-race build-up in their programs which starts on the hour mark.

Regarding this F1 has released a statement saying some broadcasters usually go on air precisely on the hour, hence missing the tension and emotion that characterize the minutes before the start of each Grand Prix and courtesy of to this change, TV viewers will be brought closer to the teams and the drivers and fully enjoy the spectacle offered just before the red lights go out.

 

For instance, the 2018 French Grand Prix will also start at 4.10pm local time to avoid clash with the World Cup group game between England and Panama.

 

Other minor adjustments have been made in order to avoid clashes with other major sports events like the FIFA World Cup, to allow for differing sunset times, and to attract a wider attendance to promoters' events.