BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
Mercedes-Benz’s rejuvenated A class (hatch & sedan) was recently launched in South Africa, and the engine specs and pricing of the AMG versions are now available.
MB says the updated A‑Class retains its youthful and dynamic character, yet it is also more grown up and comfortable than ever. Dealerfloor reported on the new A-Class soon after its launch (https://dealerfloor.co.za/product-news/new-life-for-mercs-a-class-hatch-sedan).
The AMG versions will consist of the A 35 AMG 4MATIC and A 45 S 4MATIC+. Customers can still choose between the hatchback and the sedan variants for the A 35, while the A 45 S continues to be available exclusively as a hatchback.
As standard, the new Mercedes-AMG A-Class offers the AMG Performance steering wheel, including AMG steering wheel buttons, with which drivers can control AMG-specific features such as the three-stage ESP or AMG Dynamics – without taking their hands off the steering wheel.
The Mercedes-AMG A 35 is equipped with a 48-volt auxiliary power supply and belt-driven starter-generator (RSG) and achieves an output of 225 kW with a maximum torque of 400 Nm. As a mild hybrid, the RSG supports agility with 10 kW more power at start-up.
The Hyper-hatch A 45 S 4MATIC+ develops considerably more power than the A 35 AMG variant. A total output of 310 kW and 500 Nm from the 2-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, allows for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 3.9 seconds, according to the manufacturer.
The latest pricing for the complete A-Class range is:
Hatchback: A 200 (R791 550).
Sedan: A 200 (R846 550) and the A 200 d (R916 200).
AMG: Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan (R1 128 750), Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Hatch (R1 234 550) and the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ Hatch (R1 381 550).
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
Retail new vehicle sales continue to surge in South Africa despite global and regional conflicts, local floods and droughts.
South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout performance in March 2026, extending its domestic growth trajectory to the strongest level seen in nearly two decades.
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