Mercedes-Benz has created a green car sub-brand for its pure electric line-up, called Mercedes-EQ.

The name follows the same convention as its performance Mercedes-AMG and luxury Mercedes-Maybach line-ups.

“Moving forward,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told Motoring Research, “our EQ all-electric models will be Mercedes-EQ models, part of the Mercedes-EQ sub-brand.

“The vehicles themselves, however, will be referred to as “EQA” or “EQS”, for example.

However, as with Mercedes-AMG, it does not mean the Mercedes-Benz logo is going to disappear from Mercedes-EQ cars.

“These vehicles will have the Mercedes-Benz star and logo in places such as the steering wheel, bonnet and so forth, but also feature the EQ logo, for example on the wings.

“On the boot is the EQC naming”

In a statement, the company said Mercedes-EQ “harmonises the demands of a modern generation of customers, for sustainability and emotionality with the demand for innovation.  

“With its progressive sub-brand Mercedes-EQ, Mercedes-Benz AG is underlining its claim to leadership in the field of electrification and digitisation.”

Luxurious EQS coming soon

Chief design officer Gorden Wagener said Mercedes-EQ stands for “progressive luxury for the future.

“We are the first automotive company and one of few luxury brands on the globe who have taken that big step towards a new understanding and approach to design and technology.

“Mercedes-EQ creates new possibilities for a promising future.”

The upcoming EQS luxury EV will be the first new model launched under the Mercedes-EQ sub-brand. The firm says it is “heralding the start of a new era for the company”.

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Bentley has unveiled the open-air version of its Continental GT flagship: the GT Speed Convertible.

Now in its third generation, the Speed is powered by a 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine, which produces 659hp (an uplift of 24hp over the ‘standard’ W12).

That propels the car to 62mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 208mph.

Visually, the Speed is separated from the rest of the range by dark-tinted front grilles, sportier sills, a dark-tinted radiator matrix and new badges on the front wings.

It also features new 22-inch alloy wheels, plus an illuminated display on the outer treadplates.

Bentley says the convertible’s roof has been redesigned and can be raised or lowered in 19 seconds, at speeds of up to 30mph.

Inside, you’ll find an Alcantara steering wheel, sports pedals, ‘Speed’ script on the passenger side of the dashboard and diamond quilted seats with embroidered headrests.

The Crewe-based company claims improvements to the chassis have increased the car’s driveability at speed, enhancing grip when exiting corners.   

‘Driver-focused’ grand touring

“The new Speed is the most driver-focused Continental GT Convertible available and unique in its ability to offer extremely refined, all-season open-top grand touring with the added edge of astonishing performance and dynamism,” said Chris Craft, head of sales and marketing at Bentley. 

“Combined with exquisite, handcrafted interior details, the Continental GT Speed Convertible exemplifies all Bentley knows about creating the world’s most stylish and elegant cars for roof-down motoring.”

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Diecast model manufacturer Matchbox will make all of its cars, playsets and packaging with 100 percent recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic. The pledge is part of a plan to become a cleaner, greener company by 2030.

The first diecast models to have zero plastic packaging include the Matchbox Power Grabs assortment, which includes a variety of 1:64 scale vehicles.

To help encourage environmental consciousness among children, the company also announced that EV charging stations will feature in two Action Drivers playsets. The Matchbox Fuel Station Playset is due this spring and the Matchbox Park and Play Garage Playset arrives in the autumn.

In addition, Matchbox will launch an EV-themed five-pack soon – the first time the company has made a collection of electrified vehicles. The Electric Vehicle and Hybrid five-car assortment includes the Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius, BMW i3, BMW i8 and an e-Star delivery van. It’s priced from £7.95.

“Since the inception of the modern-day diecast car nearly 70 years ago, Matchbox has been using design and innovation to connect kids with the real world around them through play,” said Roberto Stanichi, global head of vehicles at Mattel, Matchbox’s parent company. 

“Matchbox is committing to using 100 percent recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials to do our part in addressing the environmental issues we face today.”

Carbon-neutral diecast cars

Matchbox also announced it will build a Tesla Roadster. This will be its first model made from 99 percent recycled materials and certified as carbon neutral – the latter which many car makers are striving to achieve.

Constructed from 62.1 percent recycled zinc, 1.0 percent stainless steel and 36.9 percent recycled plastic, the Matchbox Tesla Roadster will be available in 2022.

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Slower pedestrians, such as elderly people and those with children, could be given more time to cross the road thanks to smart traffic lights.

The new system, developed by British tech company Now Wireless, uses artificial intelligence and cameras to predict when people are likely to cross a road. It also predicts how long it will take for them to use a pedestrian crossing.

No Wireless says its system can reduce congestion and stop-start traffic, as vehicles will no longer need to stop for ‘ghost pedestrians’ or a single person. The lights potentially only change when several people are waiting to cross.

The system uses cameras to detect people 15 metres away from the crossing and pairs this with AI analysis to ‘work out their intentions’.

‘Reduced risk of virus transmission’

It also enables people to cross a road without needing to push a button to stop traffic. Now Wireless says this means a ‘reduced risk of virus transmission by eliminating the need to touch a button’.

A number of parameters can be put in place to meet specific requirements for individual crossings, says the firm. For example, the lights could change after a specific amount of time elapses if the camera identifies a single person is waiting. Or they can change in a shorter time if many people are waiting to cross.

“As economies build back, information about pedestrian numbers, and making sure that crossing points operate efficiently, will be particularly important for urban areas,” said Brian Jackson, MD of Now Wireless.

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