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New Mercedes S-Class Plug-in Hybrid to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

The new Mercedes S-Class (pictured) will arrive with a plug-in hybrid version in September We’ve known Mercedes were planning a plug-in hybrid version of the new S-Class as far back as 2009, and it now appears it will debut – as a 2014 model – at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. When Mercedes revealed the Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid Concept at Frankfurt in 2009, they had fitted it with a V6 petrol engine mated to a 44kw motor and a bank of lithium-ion batteries, and promised the hybrid S-Class would do 90mpg, have emissions of under 75g/km and manage 18 miles in EV mode. That means the hybrid S-Class would have performance comparable to the V8 petrol-engined S500 but attract no BIK or VED in the UK.

33% of young take driving 'selfie'

A THIRD a third of young British drivers have taken a "selfie" while at the wheel, according to a survey. Such self-distracting behaviour is worse among young Britons than among any of six other European countries, the survey from the Ford Motor Company showed. While 33% of Britons aged 18-24 confessed to taking a selfie while driving, the figure for Germany was 28%, with France also 28%, Romania, 27%, Italy 26%, Spain 18% and Belgium 17%.

Hyundai Elantra Coupe

Hyundai is set to expand its Elantra range with the introduction of two new models, the GT hatchback – based on the European i30 – and the all-new Coupe, shown here. The Coupe continues Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language, this time applied to the Elantra's long and low proportions. At 4,539mm in length, 1,775mm wide, 1,435mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,700mm, the Coupe is 9mm longer and 216mm lower than the Elantra sedan.