
WATCH: Driving to Metro FM awards in Mbombela in the elegant Mercedes-Benz V300D
There's no better way of keeping to the 'Crowning Greatness' theme of this year's Metros than driving in the classy Mercedes-Benz V300D.
There was no better way of keeping to the theme of this year's Metro FM awards, Crowning Greatness, than driving in the classy Mercedes-Benz V300D.
The Metro FM awards were held at Mpumalanga's Mbombela stadium for the final year after being hosted in the province for three years.
ALSO READ: Glamorous arrival: Cruise to MMA24 in Mercedes Benz V-Class luxury
The elegant spaceship
For a person who drives a hatchback, manual car every day, being behind the wheel of this gentle beast, the V300D, felt like driving an elegant spaceship.
The Mercedes-Benz V300d has advanced tech features, including a suite of driver-assistance systems, premium audio, and comfort features.
The V300D's size and elegance can be deceptive; it's a powerful car. You can go from zero to 100 in just under eight seconds.
ALSO READ: K.O finally gets his Metro FM award in his home province
Features
One of my favourite things was using the 'Hey Mercedes' command, like having my own Siri in the car.
The feature activates the Mercedes-Benz MBUX voice control system, which allows for a wide range of commands related to vehicle functions such as adjusting the temperature, navigation, entertainment, and more.
The feature is equally fun as it is convenient.
At first glance, some of the features might be intimidatingly overwhelming, but once you understand which button does what, you're in paradise.
Something as small as adjusting your seat to your desire, which in my car is found just below my driver's seat, where I have to labour in changing it, the Mercedes V300D has buttons on both sides of the front doors that help with seat adjustment.
That gorgeous spaceship feeling was livened up as we drove past Waterval Boven in the evening, when the blue lights came on inside the car.
The blue (there are other colour choices) lights are not too much. They automatically switch on when it gets dark outside. There is just a strip on the dashboard of the car to give a sense of warmth.
It can be used as a family car or, as many people we spotted it at garages assumed, a high-end party bus.
Regardless of how you use this car, you are guaranteed comfort, power, and elegance in the Mercedes-Benz V300D.
NOW READ: Metro FM Awards: Fashion meets music

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

TimesLIVE
17 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 lands in South Africa
The latest Mercedes-AMG SL 63 has arrived in South Africa, slotting in between the SL 43 and the flagship SL 63 E Performance in the marque's 2+2-seater roadster line-up. With its distinctive long bonnet, aggressively raked windscreen, short rear deck and compact overhangs, the SL 63 cuts a commanding figure that oozes presence. Lightweight 20" alloy wheels come standard, while 21" rims are available as an option. While the German drop top's menacing front end sports the firm's aero-enhancing Airpanel active air control system, the rear is fitted with a retractable rear spoiler with five different angle settings designed to either optimise handling stability or reduce drag. As with the SL 43, the SL 63 features an electronically operated folding fabric roof, which opens or closes in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 60km/h. It's also 21kg lighter than the previous-generation metal vario-roof, contributing to a lower centre of gravity. Powering the SL 63 is a 4.0 l twin-turbocharged V8 engine pumping out 430kW and 800Nm of torque. Sent to all four paws via a variable 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system and AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission, Affalterbach's BMW M8 Convertible rival will scorch its way from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 315km/h. Complementing this straight-line shove is a capable chassis featuring a multi-link front axle with five links arranged within the rim. A similar design is found at the rear. Both ends of the SL 63 benefit from a newly developed AMG Active Ride Control suspension, while rear axle steering boosts low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability. Drivers can cycle through six AMG Dynamic Select drive modes — Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual and Race — using either the centre console controls or the AMG steering wheel toggles. Each mode alters the behaviour of the powertrain, transmission, steering, suspension and exhaust. Inside, the SL 63 is generously equipped. Highlights include a 12.3" digital instrument cluster, an 11.9" MBUX infotainment display on the centre console and support for the brand's AMG Performance and Track Pace apps, which allow drivers to log lap and performance data. Standard luxury features include Nappa leather seats, carbon fibre interior trim, Airscarf neck warmers, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an AMG Performance multifunction steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep and steering assist. Pricing for the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 starts at R3,943,156, inclusive of a five-year/100,000km service and maintenance plan.

TimesLIVE
20 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
From a Porsche to a Merc, Special Tribunal freezes R20m in assets linked to irregular Transnet contracts
From a Porsche 718 Boxster to a Mercedes-Benz V250d Avantgarde 3.2 T, Volkswagen Amarok, Toyota Hilux, Porsche Macan S Diesel and Mercedes-Benz C200, this is the list of luxury vehicles that are part of the R20.3m in assets linked to alleged irregular Transnet contracts frozen by the Special Tribunal. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and Transnet obtained a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze around R20.3m worth of movable and immovable properties. These include luxury vehicles and high-value properties. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the action is part of an investigation into three allegedly irregular contracts for property valuation services with Transnet SOC Limited. He said the interim order follows an SIU investigation that uncovered significant alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts. The order interdicts MM Real Estate, Humphrey Tshepo Moyo, Neo Shown Matlala and any other party from selling, disposing, leasing, transferring, encumbering (including by granting rights of retention), transferring, donating or dealing in any manner whatsoever to the frozen properties pending the finalisation of civil proceedings. The preserved items are the restrained properties linked to MM Real Estate, which include the Porsche 718 Boxster, a Mercedes-Benz V250d Avantgarde 3.2 T, a Volkswagen Amarok and a Toyota Hilux.


The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
Eight-cylinders return as Mercedes-AMG prices long awaited SL 63
Soft-top sibling of the AMG GT will still get from 0-100 km/h in four seconds and hit a top sped of 315 km/h. Mercedes-AMG has finally added to the SL63 to its line-up in South Africa. Image: Mercedes-AMG Its line-up having remained stagnent since the arrival of the four-cylinder '43' almost two years ago, Mercedes-AMG has finally confirmed pricing of the '63' variant of the new SL. No electric assistance Shown as far back as 2021, the first ever AMG-developed SL sits opposite the coupe-only AMG GT as being offered solely with a fabric roof-top roof that opens and closes in a Z-pattern in 15 seconds at up to 60 km/h. ALSO READ: Modernised Mercedes SL43 lives up to its proud heritage Known internally as the R232, the first new SL since the R231 that stayed in production from 2012 to 2021 also becomes the first to offer the 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive, which until now, hasn't been applicable to South Africa as the mentioned '43' only comes with rear-wheel-drive. Despite the availability of the entry-level eight-cylinder SL 55 and the range-topping plug-in hybrid SL 63 S revealed at the end of 2023, the mid-spec SL 63 will for now top the local range with outputs of 430kW/800Nm from its non-electrically assisted 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8. Fabric roof opens and closes in 15 seconds up to 60 km/h. Image: Mercedes-AMG Paired to the nine-speed MCT transmission, with the 4Matic+ system sending the amount of twist to all four corners, the SL 63 will get from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a hit top speed of 315 km/h. Spec As in Europe, South African models have the option of alloy wheels ranging from 19 to 21-inches, although in a departure, the rear-axle steering system has been fitted as standard and not as an option. Also included are the Digital LED headlights, the Airscarf neck warmers integrated into the headrests of the front seats, the adaptive Active Ride Control dampers and the electronic limited slip differential. In total, the AMG Dynamic Select system offers six modes; Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual and a first-time Race mode not available on the SL 43 or the SL 55. Bar the obvious move to right-hand-drive, the interior has not been changed from the depicted European-market model. Image: Mercedes-AMG As part of the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package, buyers get more engine mounts, yellow AMG branded brake calipers, a ride height drop of 10 mm and carbon fibre exterior trim. Inside, no specification differences from the European SL have taken place, meaning the retention of the 11.9-inch MBUX infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the new AMG Performance steering wheel and, as an option, the AMG Performance seats. Price Priced from R3 943 156, the SL 63's sticker includes a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan as standard. NOW READ: All-new AMG developed Mercedes-Benz SL revealed