The New Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake

• 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 minutes²

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)^[1] enables high everyday and travel suitability. Recharging for a further 310 kilometres²(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 design

The 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 sky

The 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 luggage

The 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) than the predecessor model. The wheelbase has increased by 61 millimetres to 2,790 millimetres.  

The seats can be folded down in a 40:20:40 ratio as standard. This increases the boot volume to up to 1,290 litres. Together with the 101-litre frunk under the bonnet, the all-new CLA Shooting Brake offers more load volume than its predecessor. The electric EASY‑PACK tailgate comes as standard for convenient loading and unloading. KEYLESS‑GO with HANDS‑FREE ACCESS is also available as an option. The elegantly designed roof rails are also part of the standard equipment, and a trailer hitch is available on request. The CLA Shooting Brake can tow up to 1,500 kilograms with rear-wheel drive and up to 1,800 kilograms with all-wheel drive – a considerable towing capacity for an electric vehicle in this segment. 

 New spatial experience – floating lightness with a large selection of colours and materials

The unique interior architecture is identical to that of the CLA. With its avant-garde style, it offers a new luxury experience in this vehicle class. Highlights include the sporty, high-positioned centre console divided into two levels, the door panel inserts and the MBUX Superscreen. They are designed as if they were floating in space. This creates an impressive sense of lightness, which further adds to the generous feeling of space. 

An attractive and versatile range of colours and materials underlines Mercedes-Benz's claim to exceptional design and striking equipment features. For the seat upholstery, there is a choice of ARTICO man-made leather/fabric, ARTICO man-made leather and leather in a range of colours from classic black to ivory beige and beech brown. The range of trim parts extends from an anthracite anodised look to brushed aluminium or carbon-fibre finishes and wood or papered surfaces. The exterior colour portfolio offers a wide range of solid and metallic paints. These include, for example, polar white solid, cosmos black metallic, MANUFAKTUR patagonia red metallic and the new colours aquamint solid and sheer blue metallic developed exclusively for the new vehicle family.   

New multifunction steering wheel – the return of roller and rocker switches

The new steering wheel of the CLA Shooting Brake offers improved ergonomics and intuitive operation. Mercedes‑Benz has reintroduced the control concept with a rocker switch for the limiter and DISTRONIC, as well as a roller for volume control, based on numerous customer requests. The capacitive switch panels are seamlessly integrated and provide tactile aids for better orientation. Additionally, some functions have been removed from the control panel for better clarity and usability, making the finger navigation pad for controlling the driver display significantly larger and thus easier to operate. 

Superscreen with up to three screens – real-time graphics powered by Unity Game Engine

The optional MBUX Superscreen extends across the entire width of the interior. The 26-centimetre (10.25-inch) screen for the driver and the 35.6-centimetre (14-inch) central display are located behind the glass surface. A 35.6-centimetre (14-inch) separate screen is optionally available for the front passenger for individual entertainment. The continuously growing app portfolio^[2] includes, for example, video streaming platforms such as Disney+ and RIDEVU from Sony Pictures Entertainment as well as video games with a large selection of triple-A titles via the cloud gaming provider Boosteroid. To enjoy the best in-car gaming experience, customers can use their Bluetooth gaming controller or mobile phone. The gaming controller can also be used with the passenger display while driving. With the central display, this is only possible when the vehicle is parked. All three screens are powered by the latest high-performance chips and real-time graphics from Unity Game Engine. 

If the passenger screen is not selected, a trim piece with star-pattern graphics continues the glass look. Depending on the equipment, it is backlit. Another extra is the optional head-up display. It offers the driver a floating, virtual image with a diagonal of 31 centimetres (12.2 inches) at around 2.8 metres in front of the vehicle. 

New MBUX generation makes the digital experience more personalised and intelligent than ever before

The new CLA Shooting Brake is the second vehicle to function entirely via the Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS). It is equipped with a supercomputer that is connected to the Mercedes‑Benz Intelligent Cloud. This enables regular over-the-air updates⁴ – not only for the entertainment system, but also for the most important vehicle functions including the driver assistance systems. In this way, the CLA Shooting Brake gets better and better instead of older and remains just as up to date over the years as a vehicle fresh off the production line.   

MB.OS allows for a completely new digital experience. The fourth generation of the Mercedes‑Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system integrates artificial intelligence (AI) from Microsoft and Google. The new MBUX Virtual Assistant is therefore much more than just an advanced voice assistant. It can conduct complex, multi-part dialogues and has a short-term memory. This enables it to continue a conversation at a later date. Based on ChatGPT4o and Microsoft Bing Search, it combines the knowledge it has gathered from the Internet. Thanks to Google Gemini, it also knows its way around navigation destinations. During an active dialogue, the MBUX Virtual Assistant even recognises emotions and can react accordingly, just like a good friend. As a “living” avatar in the form of the Mercedes‑Benz star, it is always present on the MBUX Zero Layer of the centre display. 

The new MBUX operating and display concept is tailored to customers' individual preferences. The enhanced MBUX Zero Layer on the centre display shows the most important information, suggestions and, for the first time, the most recently used apps⁴. In the app view, apps can now be moved and grouped together in individually named folders. 

Intelligent navigation – customised Google Maps solution with Mercedes‑Benz Electric Intelligence

Now, route guidance is easier and more intuitive than ever before. The new customised navigation solution is based on map data from Google Maps^[3], which is combined with real-time information from the vehicle. Mercedes‑Benz Navigation with Electric Intelligence plans the fastest and most convenient route, including charging stops, based on numerous factors. It automatically adjusts the vehicle's charging settings and optimises them for fast charging along the route – including preconditioning the high-voltage battery so that it is at the optimum temperature for fast DC charging at the right time. The system also provides energy-saving tips. 

Economical consumption and fast charging – new battery generation, two-speed gearbox and 800-volt architecture

With remarkably low fuel consumption and a range that is impressive in its segment, the CLA Shooting Brake marks an apex in electric mobility. Two models will initially be launched. The 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)^[4] has an output of 200 kW and a range of up to 761 kilometres according to WLTP.^[5] The 260-kW CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake with EQ Technology (combined energy consumption: 13.2-15.7 kWh/100 km | combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A)⁶ is positioned at the top end of the model range as a performance version with two motors and all-wheel drive. It has a range of up to 730 kilometres according to WLTP.⁷ 

The newly developed electric drive system with a permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM) and two-speed gearbox on the rear axle is designed for dynamic driving performance with high efficiency. First gear enables excellent acceleration right from the start. The CLA 250+ Shooting Brake sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. Second gear is designed for power delivery at high speeds. It ensures excellent range and comfort on long journeys. The all-electric CLA Shooting Brake also features a new one-box braking system. It optimises the recovery of braking energy and so increases the range. For reasons of efficiency, almost all braking processes are carried out entirely by recuperation. The recuperation output is up to 200 kW. 

The CLA 250+ Shooting Brake and the CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake have a lithium-ion battery with a usable energy content of 85 kWh. The cells have anodes in which silicon oxide is added to the graphite, increasing the energy density. In combination with this new generation of batteries, the 800-volt architecture can significantly reduce the charging time. This means that the CLA 250+ Shooting Brake can be recharged to a range of 310 kilometres (WLTP)^[6] within 10 minutes. This corresponds to the distance from Geneva to Milan or from Berlin to Hamburg, for example. Fast DC charging is possible with up to 320 kW. AC charging, for example at a wallbox at home, is possible with up to 22 kW. Further battery-electric variants will be added to the model range at the beginning of next year.  

Mercedes-Benz at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (10 to 13 July 2025)

Goodwood Festival of Speed (10 to 13 July 2025): The largest motorised garden party in the world

Mercedes-Benz Classic brought no fewer than five Silver Arrows from different decades to this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. One of the highlights on the 1.86-kilometre Hill Climb past Goodwood House was the drive of the two Formula 1 racing cars W 196 R (1955) and Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance (2022). Both vehicles were part of the high-class field of cars celebrating the 75th anniversary of Formula 1. The first Formula 1 race of the newly created World Championship took place on 13 May 1950 in Silverstone, Great Britain. 

Georges Massing, Vice President Digital Vehicle & Mobility at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, was also fascinated by Mercedes-Benz Classic's presentation. He attended the 2025 Nucleus conference as part of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Here, some of the most important thought leaders from the automotive industry and technology discussed the future of mobility.

“No other event in the world brings together the future and heritage of automotive technology as closely as the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Nucleus event. This offers what we urgently need today: inspiration for innovation, knowledge exchange and confidence in the future. All of this is reflected in our company values –since 1886. Heritage Creates Future.” 
Georges Massing, Vice President Digital Vehicle & Mobility, Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Equally spectacular was the drive of what is arguably the world's most valuable racing car duo: a Formula 1 racing car W 196 R together with a 300 SLR racing sports car (W 196 S). Juan Manuel Fangio became Formula 1 world champion in 1954 and 1955 with the W 196 R. Mercedes-Benz won the Sports Car World Championship in 1955 with the 300 SLR. The duo was complemented by a W 196 R with streamlined bodywork on the loading bed of the Mercedes-Benz racing car rapid transport vehicle “Blaues Wunder” (1955).

In January 2025, a Mercedes-Benz W 196 R with streamlined bodywork was auctioned for 51.55 million euros – the highest price ever achieved by a Grand Prix racing car at auction. The 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupé” is even the most valuable car in the world and was sold in 2022 for €135 million. A Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Roadster has never been offered at auction.

The fleet of Silver Arrows was furthermore complemented by the Grand Prix racing car and thus Formula 1 forerunner Mercedes-Benz W 125 (1937), the 300 SL racing sports car (W 194, 1952) and the Group C racing prototype C 11 (1990).

Three Mercedes-Benz Classic brand ambassadors took over the cockpits of the classic racing cars: Formula 1 safety car driver Bernd Mayländer, five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider and ex-Formula 1 racing driver Karl Wendlinger. The Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance racing car was driven by Frederik Vesti (Friday and Saturday) and Valtteri Bottas (Sunday).

The Duke of Richmond founded the Festival of Speed in 1993 in the park of Goodwood House, the family’s ancestral home. The event is famous as the “largest motorised garden party in the world”. Here you can experience the past, present and future of the automobile in style. In 2025, the all-new electric Mercedes-Benz CLA made its dynamic debut too, in the First Glance Paddock and also being driven on the hill climb.

Mercedes-Benz at the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Concours, July 9, 2025

Royal Automobile Club Concours (9 July 2025): Inaugural event in Woodcote Park near London

One day before the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Mercedes-Benz Classic presented the W 196 R together with the 300 SLR (W 196 S) at the first Club Concours of the Royal Automobile Club (RAC). The RAC was founded in 1897 as the Automobile Club of Great Britain & Ireland by Frederick Simms, a business partner of Gottlieb Daimler. The Concours took place at Woodcote Park (Epsom).

The Mercedes-Benz Classic cars at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed

• Mercedes-Benz W 125 (1937): The latest development stage of the Grand Prix racing cars in the 750-kilogram formula produces 435 kW (592 hp). Rudolf Caracciola became European Champion with the W 125 in 1937. The title is comparable to the Formula 1 World Championship today.
• Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194, 1952): Mercedes-Benz returned to motorsport in the 1952 season with the 300 SL racing sports car. The instantly successful competition vehicle is based on the legendary 300 SL (W 198) production sports car.
• Mercedes-Benz W 196 R (1954 and 1955): The first Formula 1 racing car from Mercedes-Benz was used with open wheels or streamlined bodywork. Juan Manuel Fangio became Formula 1 World Champion in the W 196 R in 1954 and 1955.
• Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sports car (W 196 S, 1955): The sports car prototype has numerous technical parallels to the W 196 R. However, it is powered by a 3-litre in-line eight-cylinder engine (228 kW/310 hp). The victory of Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson in the 1955 Mille Miglia with the best time ever achieved in this road race was outstanding.
• Mercedes-Benz C 11 (1990): The racing prototype with up to 735 kW (1,000 hp) dominated the Sports Car World Championship in 1990. In addition to the manufacturers’ title, Jean-Louis Schlesser and Mauro Baldi won the drivers’ title. The carbon fibre chassis was developed by the racing team of Swiss national Peter Sauber, which also raced the C 11.
• Mercedes-Benz C 111-II (1970): The breathtaking C 111 super sports car was created as an experimental vehicle for testing the Wankel engine. In 2024, after decades, Mercedes-Benz Classic returned a C 111-II with an original four-disc Wankel engine to running order. The extraordinary engine produces 257 kW (350 hp). The top speed of the car is 300 km/h.
• Mercedes-Benz racing car express transporter (1955): This one-off vehicle was built for the 1955 season and used for logistics between the factory and the race track at speeds of up to 170 km/h. Its engine came from the 300 SL (W 198). The blue paintwork, top speed and aesthetic design earned the race transporter the nickname “Blaues Wunder” (“Blue Wonder”). At Goodwood, it was on display with a Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Formula 1 racing car on the loading bed.

DER AUTOTEST - Mercedes 350SL R107 von 1971

An early version of my 1982 380 SL! But with a very desirable 4-speed manual transmission.

Preview -- the British Grand Prix at Silverstone

The halfway point in the 2025 season comes at Silverstone with the British Grand Prix. 

Toto Talks Britain

After a tough Grand Prix in Austria, it is good to get back racing straight away. We deliberately experimented on set-up in Spielberg; it was a useful test and there are positive learnings we can apply this weekend, but it ultimately didn’t help our performance.

Silverstone has typically been a strong circuit for us. The cooler conditions should suit our car, and we are hopeful of putting on a good performance in front of our teammates and the passionate British fans, who always provide a great atmosphere.

The very first World Championship race took place at Silverstone 75 years ago, so this weekend carries additional significance for the sport. We will take the opportunity to mark this milestone with a celebration of Mercedes' own legacy across automotive and motorsport past, present, and future. That will include a revised livery, featuring the sunset beam orange of the recently launched CONCEPT AMG GT XX, the ground-breaking concept car that offers an impressive insight into the future of AMG. Whilst it will be an exciting weekend off track with several activations, our full focus remains of course on the track. We will look to bounce back from last weekend and put on a performance more befitting of Mercedes' storied history.

Fact File: British Grand Prix

At 5.891km, the Silverstone Circuit is the fifth-longest on the F1 calendar and only Spa-Francorchamps (7.004km), Baku (6.003km), Las Vegas (6.201km) and Jeddah (6.174km) are longer.
Maggots, Becketts, Chapel – Silverstone boasts some of the most iconic names for corners in the whole of motorsport, and it is one of only three tracks in F1 where engineers give names to the corners and not numbers, the other two being Spa-Francorchamps and Monaco.
Drivers complete almost 80% of a lap at full throttle at Silverstone, the second-highest percentage seen so far this season after Australia.
Drivers experience some of the highest lateral g-forces of the season at Silverstone with a maximum of 5.2g at Stowe (Turn 15). To give you some idea of what that means, the average weight of a human head with a helmet is 7kg, so the driver’s neck is being pulled from side to side with a force of 35kg at this point.
At nearly 650m, the run down to the first braking point is the second longest on the 2025 F1 calendar. Only Mexico (767.5m) is longer.  
Silverstone is something of a home race for the team. The Brackley factory is a mere nine miles away and the home of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains at Brixworth is just over 20 miles from the track.
The team has eight wins at Silverstone since returning to the sport in 2010 and has taken home a podium in each of the last 12 seasons.
Between 2013 and 2020, the team scored eight consecutive pole positions at the British Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, and Valtteri Bottas.
In 2024, the team achieved an all-British front row with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
George’s first single-seater race and win came at Silverstone, during a Formula Renault weekend in 2014.
Kimi’s first F2 win came at Silverstone in tricky conditions in 2024. 
Reserve Driver Fred Vesti also took a Formula 2 win during the 2023 season.

F1 Grand Prix Preview, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal, Canada.

Round 10 of the 2025 F1 season takes place in Canada, at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal.

 

Toto Talks Canada

We’re eager to get back on track in Montreal after a challenging triple header. We showed an improved performance in Barcelona and that is something for us to build on. However, we know we need to be more consistent, and continue to make progress with the W16, if we are to rediscover some of our form from earlier in the season. We enjoyed a strong race here in 2024, and I hope we can repeat that level of performance this time round.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a great track with its mix of low-speed corners and long straights often creating an exciting race. Montreal is a superb host city for F1 too and the fans always create a brilliant atmosphere. We’re looking forward to seeing Doriane racing once again as F1 Academy returns to action. She has put in some strong performances so far this year and we will be supporting her as she looks to challenge for the lead of the championship in Canada.

 

Fact File: Canadian Grand Prix

 

·         The 4.361 km Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is similar in its characteristics to that of the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan. Long straights requiring lower drag are punctuated by slower speed corners such as chicanes and hairpins that require higher downforce.

·         The 14 corners of the circuit comprise six left-hand and eight right-hand turns. Most of the corners are in a similar speed range, which is at the lower end of the scale compared to the rest of the circuits on the 2025 calendar.

·         This will be the 44th F1 Grand Prix to take place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Only Spa, Silverstone, Monaco, and Monza have hosted more.

·         Several corners come as a double change of direction (left/right or right/left combinations) that require good responsiveness from the car. These include the combinations that comprise turns one and two, turns three and four, turns six and seven, turns eight and nine, and the final chicane at turns 13 and 14.

·         The 405-metre pit lane ranks eighth in terms of length across all the circuits we race at. However, time expended during a pit stop is not especially high, as drivers are spared the inconvenience of going through the last chicane, instead entering the pit lane directly. Additionally, the pit exit feeds in at Turn two, thus drivers avoid having to negotiate the first corner too.

·         The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is traditionally regarded as tough on brakes, similar to the Austrian GP. However, there are usually fewer cooling problems in Canada than in Spielberg because the lap distance is greater and there is more time for the brakes to dissipate temperature.

·         The wall on the exit of the final corner has been dubbed ‘The Wall of Champions’ ever since 1999, when Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve all had their races ended at the turn through crashes.

·         Along with Miami, Austria and Las Vegas, Montreal has the most heavy-braking zones on the F1 calendar with three.

·         Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher share the record for the most wins at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with seven.

·         The circuit is located on the Île Notre-Dame, an island that hosted the World Expo in 1967. The Expo 67 American Pavilion, which became the Montreal Biosphere and is now an environmental museum, is a visible reminder of this.

·         The man-made body of water outside the track – which drivers cross over to get into the paddock – was built to host the rowing and canoeing events at the 1976 Summer Olympic Games.

 

Doriane Pin talks Canada

I am really excited to go racing in Canada for the first time with F1 ACADEMY. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a completely new track to me, and I have been preparing thoroughly for the race weekend on the simulator in the past few days.  

The expectations are really high as I am just one point away from Maya (Weug) in the drivers’ standings. I am fully focused on delivering a strong performance there and the goal is clear: take the lead of the championship this weekend. 

Spanish F 1 Grand Prix Preview, Barcelona, 2025

 

Toto Talks Spain

We will be looking to get back on track in Barcelona this weekend. It is a circuit that provides a good test of a car, with a mixture of low, medium, and high-speed corners. That will be useful for assessing our recent updates and our position relative to our competitors as we move into the second third of the season.

With 16 races left, there is a long way to go. The team is still pushing to find performance and this weekend’s updated front wing technical directive will provide another level of intrigue. We are focused on ourselves though and looking forward to having the opportunity to do a better job than we have done at the last two races.

 

Fact File: Spanish Grand Prix

 

·         The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is an ideal track for testing an F1 car, as it has a wide range of corner types and speeds, plus some long straights. Slow-speed corners like Turns 5 and 10 focus on mechanical grip, but high-speed sections such as Turns 3 and 9 test a car’s aerodynamic grip.

·         Sector three is incredibly important and drivers can find a lot of lap time here in the slow corners. It can be rare for a driver to set three purple sectors at the circuit, because maximising grip and being faster in sector one will overheat the tyres for the crucial third sector.

·         The chicane in the final sector of the lap was removed for the 2023 race, reverting back to the previous track layout for the final two corners. 

·         Most of the track’s low-speed turns are left-handers and most of the right-handers are taken at high speeds. So slightly different car set-ups can be used on the left and right-hand sides, and that track characteristic also means the left tyres wear out quicker, while the right tyres experience lower temperatures.

·         24 of the 34 races that have taken place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya have been won from pole.

·         The start of the ground effect era at the start of 2022 presented a very different challenge for the drivers around the track. For example, the long Turn 3 is now taken at 225 km/h, compared to 240 km/h in 2021. The fast Turn 9 is now a 250 km/h right-hander, whereas in 2021 it was taken at around 265 km/h.

·         Barcelona is one of three tracks that George Russell has recorded two podium finishes at in Formula 1. Melbourne and Baku are the other two.

·         Barcelona first appeared on the calendar in 1991 and has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix in every season since.

·         Lewis Hamilton recorded his 100^th pole position at the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix while driving for the team. 

·         Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most consecutive wins at a Grand Prix circuit with five in Barcelona (2017-2021). He shares this record with Ayrton Senna and Monaco (1989-1993)

·         George triumphed at Barcelona in 2018 while driving in Formula 2. He shared the podium that day with future F1 drivers Lando Norris and Nyck de Vries.

·         Junior Driver Noah Strømsted continues his maiden FIA Formula 3 campaign in Barcelona, with the track set to host round five of the 2025 championship.

Junior Driver Noah Strømsted Talk Spain

 

Noah Strømsted

I am looking forward to Barcelona, it is a track I know very well. We did our pre-season test at the circuit this year, so we already have some experience with the car there. 

It’s going to be very tight as every driver is familiar with the layout, but we will do our best to get some good points.

The SLK 230 Kompressor Roadster on Display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 of the R 170 model series in the communication colour yellowstone (Mercedes-Benz colour code 685). Photo taken in New York in 1996. (Photo index number in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: A96F2883)

• The popular roadster is part of the special “Youngtimer” exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum
• Until 2 November 2025 with a total of ten iconic young classics
• Coupé and roadster: The electro-hydraulic vario-roof was a stroke of engineering genius
• The SLK specifically appealed to younger customers as part of the product offensive at the time

“Close-up” – the name of this series from the Mercedes-Benz Museum says it all. Each instalment tells surprising, exciting and interesting stories about vehicles from the exhibition. In the spotlight this time: the SLK 230 Kompressor (R 170 series) in the special “Youngtimer” exhibition, Collection Room 5. Until 2 November 2025, this exhibition will be showing ten vehicles from the 1990s and 2000s in a colourful and lively presentation. 

No. 4/2025: Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor 

Showing its colours: It stands there like a ray of sunshine on wheels. In bright yellow, or more precisely in yellowstone (Mercedes-Benz colour code 685), the Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor from the R 170 model series dominates the “Easy Life” theme island of the current “Youngtimer” special exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. 

Colourful exclamation mark: This yellow refuses to lie low. And that’s exactly what it was designed for: the yellowstone paint finish was the communication colour for the market launch of the SLK in spring 1996; it sent out a powerful signal of a new departure. The concept worked brilliantly, the roadster attracted an enormous amount of attention at its premiere – and marked the transformation of the entire brand. Within the Mercedes-Benz product offensive, the SLK was the pioneer for a succession of new premium vehicles bearing the three-pointed star that were to permanently change the brand image. And today, yellowstone suits the SLK of the R 170 series just as well as it did in 1996. But the SLK was also popular in many other colours back then. 

Roadster with a twist: The R 170 model series was a coupé and roadster in one – thanks to the vario-roof. The electro-hydraulic folding roof made of steel was a stroke of engineering genius. At the touch of a button, it folded smoothly into the boot in a fascinating choreography. And, hey presto, an open-top roadster. This system made Mercedes-Benz a pioneer in the segment, and defined a new standard for year-round driving pleasure. Important for everyday use: the boot still retained some load capacity with the roof open. 

Performance with principle: The SLK 230 Kompressor was the best-selling model in the series. Its four-cylinder engine with mechanical supercharger developed 142 kW (193 hp) – a powerful statement in the compact sports car class. It delivered superior power from low engine speeds while remaining refined and efficient. In technical terms, the power unit took its lead from great role models. The renowned Mercedes-Benz S-series of the 1920s also had a supercharger to increase performance. And it returned in a modern interpretation in the 1990s. Less was more: lower fuel consumption, more torque. 

Form follows passion: The design of the SLK is a statement. The roadster appears to have been cast from a single mould. Its clear lines, the short, crisp silhouette, the emphasised horizontal front with the classic Mercedes-Benz SL grille – all this lends the vehicle a timeless sportiness. No superfluous gimmicks, no fashionable affectations. The SLK is not garish – yet in the special exhibition it presents itself confidently on its dais with pink design elements. 

Connecting the inside with the outside: The interior follows the same logic as the exterior, with a tidy and high-class appearance. With large dial instruments, clearly arranged controls and high-quality materials, the cockpit has a timeless, classic look even almost 30 years after the premiere of the R 170 series. 

Market launch with resounding effect: Mercedes-Benz initially presented SLK concept vehicles at the 1994 motor shows in Turin and Paris. These vehicles reflected the spirit of the times, and reactions were very positive. The production model was launched in 1996. The immense demand was an indication of how many people wanted to drive this compact roadster. Open, sporty, fresh – values that truly inspired. And the SLK quickly became an emotive and tangible image-builder for the brand. More than 310,000 units had been produced by 2004. 

Automotive culture in transition: For many millennials, the SLK was the first Mercedes-Benz that exuded sunshine and weekend fun. It became the poster car for a new generation of customers. A car that radiated less in the way of luxury, but still inherently carried the brand’s virtues, such as design and safety. 

Back to the future: The yellow SLK 230 Kompressor at the Mercedes-Benz Museum is part of the current special exhibition “Youngtimer”. It will be on display in Collection Room 5 until 2 November 2025. Ten iconic vehicles from the 1990s and 2000s are specially exhibited in a colourful and entertaining presentation. The theme islands range from “Easy Life” to “Refinement” and “Space”. They embed the vehicles in the lifestyle of their era. Interactive stations with topics ranging from generative image creation (with the help of artificial intelligence) to retro gaming accompany the exhibition, and also bring the turn of the millennium into the present.

The Cult Film *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* -- 1965

Released in 1965, *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* stands as one of the most notorious and influential cult films in the history of cinema. Directed by Russ Meyer, known for his work in the genre of sexploitation films, the movie defied conventional norms of the time with its unabashedly bold themes and radical approach to storytelling. It is both a celebration of wild, untamed femininity and a scathing critique of societal expectations of women.

The film follows three seductive women—Varla (Tura Satana), Rosie (Haji), and Billie (Lori Williams)—as they engage in a series of violent and chaotic actions after a confrontation at a remote desert location. Varla, played by Satana, emerged as an icon of feminist strength, challenging the usual depiction of women in cinema as passive or submissive. Her fierce, dominating presence on screen was groundbreaking, with her character being one of the earliest representations of an empowered, violent woman in mainstream films. Varla's cold and calculating nature, mixed with her physical prowess, made her a character that audiences had never seen before.

At the time of its release, the film was met with controversy. Critics dismissed it for its overt sexual themes, violence, and exploitation of women, but over time, *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* earned its place in cinematic history. It became a source of inspiration for filmmakers and a cultural touchstone for those interested in transgressive, experimental cinema. Meyer's unorthodox style, with his high-energy direction, kitschy aesthetic, and daring themes, influenced later filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, who often cited Meyer as a major influence on his own works.

Today, *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* is celebrated as a campy yet powerful statement on female agency, violence, and rebellion. It has a lasting legacy, often regarded as a precursor to modern exploitation films and an emblem of the audacious spirit of the 1960s counterculture.

Mercedes-Benz Plans for Le Mans, June 11-15 ,2025

•       Mercedes-AMG with LMGT3 to compete in the 24h Le Mans endurance classic for the first time

•       Car designs based on the Sauber-Mercedes C9 from 1989

•       Christoph Sagemüller: “I am delighted that we are able to continue this history at Le Mans.”

Affalterbach. Mercedes-AMG is celebrating a comeback at the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with Customer Racing Team Iron Lynx – after 26 years, the brand with the star is back at La Sarthe. Three Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 will be on the starting grid for the endurance classic from 11 to 15 June. A special design concept has been developed for the prestigious 24-hour race: The livery of the three cars is reminiscent of the Sauber-Mercedes C9 from 1989. Back then, the Silver Arrows with start numbers #63 and #61 achieved a legendary one-two victory. Among those at the wheel of the victorious number 63 was Jochen Mass, who sadly passed away recently.

The current cars with start numbers #60 and #61 are registered for the entire FIA WEC season in the LMGT3 class. The Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 #60 will be driven by Italian trio Matteo Cairoli, Matteo Cressoni and Claudio Schiavoni – all three have competed at Le Mans on multiple occasions. The Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 #61 will be driven by Martin Berry (AUS), who made his FIA WEC debut with Iron Lynx at Spa-Francorchamps and Lin Hodenius (NED) – who, at 18, is the youngest driver on the grid for the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans. The line-up is completed by experienced Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Maxime Martin from Belgium. The third car with start number #63 qualified for the championship last year via the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). The father-son duo Stephen and Brenton Grove (both AUS) will be joined by Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Luca Stolz (GER). It will be the first Le Mans start for the two Australians. Luca Stolz already competed in the endurance classic at La Sarthe in 2018.

Preview -- F1 GP Imola, The First Leg of the 2025 Formula 1 Season

Toto Talks Imola

We head to Imola having completed one quarter of the season. From those first six races, we can draw the following conclusions: we have made progress from last year, with the W16 a more balanced car than its predecessor; we have scored some solid results, with four podiums in that run of races; and we have more work to do if we want to challenge for victories.

Our focus is on making gains on that final point as we begin the European leg of the season. The team at Lauda Drive have been working hard to do that and we will be bringing several updates over the coming races. F1 is a relative game, though, and we know our competitors will make progress too. It will be interesting to see how that plays out on track.

Imola also marks Kimi's first home race. He grew up nearby in Bologna, and it will be a special occasion for him. But it's a race that pays 25 points, like every other, and that's the only thing that counts at the end of the season. George and Kimi will be focused most of all on achieving the best possible result on track.

 

Fact File: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

  Construction of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari first started in 1950 and the circuit hosted its debut race in 1953. 

·         The track has hosted F1 races under three different names: the San Marino Grand Prix, Italian Grand Prix and Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

·         Having hosted a race every year between 1980 and 2006, the circuit disappeared off the calendar in 2007, but returned in 2020 as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

·         The team captured its seventh consecutive World Constructors’ Championship with a 1-2 at Imola in 2020.

·         The 2023 edition of the race was cancelled due to devastating flooding around the track and in the surrounding region.

·         At 548 metres, the distance spent under the pit lane speed limit at Imola is the longest on the calendar.

·         It takes drivers nearly 25 seconds to navigate during a stop in the race.

·         The race also has the highest level of fuel consumption seen on the 2024 calendar.

·         With an average ambient air temperature of 14.8 degrees, the race could also be described as one the coldest of the season.

·         Changes have been made to the track last year with gravel traps at T9 and exits of Turns 11 to 15.

·         The 2025 edition is getting one step softer than last year with the use of the C6 tyre compound for the first time this season. 

·         The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is an important step in the season, marking the beginning of the European leg but also being Kimi Antonelli’s home Grand Prix