Latest news with #simonthompson
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Iconic car brand's new £155k EV ‘is a complete flop' after iconic model loved by celebs is reinvented
The new electric version of the iconic SUV has been massively outsold by its petrol and diesel counterparts BRAKE IT DOWN Iconic car brand's new £155k EV 'is a complete flop' after iconic model loved by celebs is reinvented Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STAFF at Mercedes have admitted that the electric version of an SUV popular with celebrities has been a "complete flop". The German manufacturer had high hopes for the £154,810 EV, but it has not had the desired impact on the car market. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The G-Wagon has proved popular with the super-rich Credit: simon thompson 6 The electric version of the G-Class has been branded a "complete flop" Credit: Getty 6 The original G-Wagon has sold more than seven times its electric counterpart Credit: Justin Leighton 2025 An electric version of the popular Mercedes G-Class - often referred to as the G-Wagon - has not proved successful among customers. Reports show that, since the G 580 was introduced in April last year, the original G-Wagon has almost seven times more sales than its electric counterpart. German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that one Mercedes executive had labelled the motor a "complete flop". They added: "The car is sitting like lead at dealers. It's a complete flop." Read more in Motors 'MODERN ART' Shoppers gobsmacked after smash leaves one motor mounted on top of another Another manager admitted the volume of sales for the "niche" EV had been "very low". It is understood that only 1,450 electric G-Wagons had been sold over a 12-month period, compared to 9,700 sales of the regular version. Despite having the same silhouette, the G 580 has proved difficult to sell against its iconic predecessor, which is substantially cheaper. The latter retails from £133,500, which is £20,000 less than its electric alternative. Customers have also been put off by the EV's EPA-certified range, which sits at just 239 miles from a single charge. And it could affect Mercedes plans for a downsized version, the "Little G", which is set to be released in 2027. Mercedes reveals its new luxury EV with 'superscreen' passengers can play video games or watch Netflix on while on move It was initially rumoured to be an EV-only model, but the motor giants might have to rethink these plans following the damning data and offer the vehicles with combustion engines. First designed in the 1970s, the G-Wagon was originally conceived as a military vehicle. But it has garnered a reputation for ferrying around famous faces and the super-rich, including Megan Fox, Britney Spears and Kendall Jenner. Speaking to Motor1, Mercedes' Markus Nast, global communications manager for compacts, midsizers, and the G-Class, said the company was "prepared for all market scenarios". He added: "Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine. "Our customers decide what suits them best. This also applies for the G-Class." The G 580 features a three-speed intelligent off-road crawl function, which can drag the car through ditches and ravines. It can reach 62mph in less than five seconds, with a top speed of 112mph. 6 The electric motor can reach 62mph in 4.7 seconds Credit: simon thompson 6 Reports show that the all-electric iteration has tanked in the car market Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 6 The G-Class has garnered a reputation for ferrying around famous faces Credit: simon thompson Like a regular G-Wagon, the electric G has a ladder-frame chassis with low-range, off-road gearing and trick suspension. And with an impressive 587hp, the three-tonne tank is as quick as a Porsche Cayman off the line. But reports have shown that the all-electric iteration has tanked in the market, with customers still favouring the iconic original motor. The Sun contacted Mercedes for comment.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Iconic car brand's new £155k EV ‘is a complete flop' after iconic model loved by celebs is reinvented
STAFF at Mercedes have admitted that the electric version of an SUV popular with celebrities has been a "complete flop". The German manufacturer had high hopes for the £154,810 EV, but it has not had the desired impact on the car market. Advertisement 6 The G-Wagon has proved popular with the super-rich Credit: simon thompson 6 The electric version of the G-Class has been branded a "complete flop" Credit: Getty 6 The original G-Wagon has sold more than seven times its electric counterpart Credit: Justin Leighton 2025 An electric version of the popular Mercedes G-Class - often referred to as the G-Wagon - has not proved successful among customers. Reports show that, since the G 580 was German newspaper They added: "The car is sitting like lead at dealers. It's a complete flop." Advertisement Read more in Motors Another manager admitted the volume of sales for the "niche" EV had been "very low". It is understood that only 1,450 electric G-Wagons had been sold over a 12-month period, compared to 9,700 sales of the regular version. Despite having the same silhouette, the G 580 has proved difficult to sell against its iconic predecessor, which is substantially cheaper. The latter retails from £133,500 , which is £20,000 less than its electric alternative. Advertisement Most read in Motors Breaking Customers have also been put off by the EV's EPA-certified range, which sits at just 239 miles from a single charge. And it could affect Mercedes plans for a downsized version, the "Little G", which is set to be released in 2027. Mercedes reveals its new luxury EV with 'superscreen' passengers can play video games or watch Netflix on while on move It was initially rumoured to be an EV-only model, but the motor giants might have to rethink these plans following the damning data and offer the vehicles with combustion engines. First designed in the 1970s, the G-Wagon was originally conceived as a military vehicle. Advertisement But it has garnered a reputation for ferrying around f amous faces and the super-rich, including Megan Fox , Britney Spears and Kendall Jenner . Speaking to He added: "Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine. "Our customers decide what suits them best. This also applies for the G-Class." Advertisement The G 580 features a three-speed intelligent off-road crawl function, which can drag the car through ditches and ravines. It can reach 62mph in less than five seconds, with a top speed of 112mph. 6 The electric motor can reach 62mph in 4.7 seconds Credit: simon thompson 6 Reports show that the all-electric iteration has tanked in the car market Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Advertisement 6 The G-Class has garnered a reputation for ferrying around famous faces Credit: simon thompson Like a regular , the electric G has a ladder-frame chassis with low-range, off-road gearing and trick suspension. And with an impressive 587hp, the three-tonne tank is as quick as a Porsche Cayman off the line. But reports have shown that the all-electric iteration has tanked in the market, with customers still favouring the iconic original motor. Advertisement The Sun contacted Mercedes for comment.
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson on love for Volkswagen's Multivan, why it beats Toyota Rav4 & what TV icon left him in will
IT'S not every day you ask an international rock star to review a van. But if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Ricky and Reedus at London's Alexandra Palace, where the Kaiser Chiefs play on July 19 Credit: simon thompson 4 Even Ricky's dog loved the VW Multivan Credit: simon thompson Bands probably spend more time in a van, travelling to gigs, than your average plumber or sparky. Step forward Ricky Wilson, frontman of the Kaiser Chiefs. You might have heard of him/them. They're playing Glastonbury for the seventh time in 20 years next month. Here, Ricky talks about his love for Volkswagen's Multivan . . . as well as Henry the hoover, Richard Whiteley's tie and packet ham. It was an entertaining 20 minutes. The I Predict A Riot singer said: 'The thing is, you start off in a van. Then you say, 'We don't like vans', because, y'know, we don't want to be cramped in the van together and we're fed up of them. 'Then you get limos and tour buses and jets and all this stuff. Then you get to our age and you go, 'Why are we paying to arrive somewhere separately in swanky cars? Let's just get a van again'. 'So now we're using vans more than ever. Because we're looking at the bottom line. I want to go home with the money. I don't want to spend it on the road. 'We spend a lot of time in people carriers. I've even got a favourite seat. I go right at the back. No one's worked it out. Even though it's a smaller seat and it's not as comfortable, you get a lot more room atthe end of the day and you've got somewhere for your bag. 'I've got tricks. I sometimes take off the headrest and use it as a side pillow. I think now, if I could do it over again, I'd do a lot more driving. It whiles away the time a lot quicker when you're driving than sitting in the back with a towel over your head.' The Volkswagen ID3 GTX Performance You boys must have some stories after 20-odd years on the road? 'We've had a couple of police escorts in our time, which I quite like. You feel like you are in Coldplay or U2 or something. It's quite exciting. 'The tour manager probably told them we're bigger than we are. 'And I do like a golf cart. We did find out once that the keys to golf carts aren't really that secure. 'The key that undid the locker on the side of our truck also managed to start any golf cart. Once we found that out, festivals became a little bit of a nightmare. We could take any golf cart, whenever we wanted.' Ricky borrowed a Multivan to take the wife, the kids, the dog and the kitchen sink to the Isle of Wight recently — and now he wants one. He said: 'When we go away anywhere, I'm quite fastidious with the packing. I get quite uptight about it. 'I have to know where everything is and it has to slot in. With the kids and the dog, that's quite a lot of packing. 'When we got the Mulitvan, I chilled out a bit. I let go. We had more space. I was just chucking things in the back. I didn't really worry about it. I've got a Toyota RAV4 but try sticking a dog in between two car seats. It takes an awful lot of packet ham. Even the dog loved the Multivan. 'When my wife at the last minute says, 'Can we put this in?', I'm like, 'Yeah, whatever, darling'. It was quite a thrill for me to let go. 'I've got a Toyota RAV4 but try sticking a dog in between two car seats. It takes an awful lot of packet ham. Even the dog loved the Multivan.' The dog's called Reedus, by the way. Because Ricky's missus is a fan of actor Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead. 'It was either that or Tom Hardy. She liked him as well. I didn't really want to be walking across Hampstead Heath shouting, 'Hardy'. So his name's Reedus.' Ricky added: 'I'm not trying to bang on about the Multivan but I was just happy to drive around in it. 'We went to the Isle of Wight. I love it there. We went to the zoo. I fed a tiger. I dropped the Kaiser Chiefs bomb and we went backstage. 'I didn't feel like the dad who was the designated driver — and the kids loved it. They were sat higher than they've ever been in a car before. It's got that great big roof you can see through. 'We were driving home and I said that even if we won the EuroMillions tomorrow this would be the car I'd get. 'And I really meant it. Because I was just happy in it. I just haven't worked out what colour I'd get yet. Also, you get a bit older and your dreams turn from wanting a two-seater sports car that can go a million miles an hour to something you've actually got happy memories in. That sounds schmaltzy. But it made me feel really happy being in the van. The kids were really happy.' 4 Ricky borrowed a Multivan to take the wife, the kids, the dog and the kitchen sink to the Isle of Wight recently — and now he wants one Credit: simon thompson As we chat, we discuss Ricky's time as a Virgin Radio DJ and his obsession with TV game shows. He's ticked most of them off. 'When I didn't win The Masked Singer I was livid' He said: 'Won Tipping Point. Won Catchphrase. Didn't get the jackpot. Furious with myself. Knights Of The Round Table. Why couldn't I see the round table? 'I am far too competitive. When I didn't win The Masked Singer I was livid. Thank God I had a mask on. My body language must have shown some of it but I was swearing in that thing, 'This is a f***ing outrage'. 'I'm doing Countdown next week. Dictionary Corner. 'Richard Whiteley left me one of his ties in his will. He was very pleased someone from Leeds had done so well in the charts. So that's going to be my mascot. 'I actually had him DJing once at a nightclub in Leeds. He didn't do much DJing but he stood behind the decks and put his hands in the air. We played the Countdown theme twice and The Final Countdown in the middle.' KEY FACTS: VOLKSWAGEN MULTIVAN Price: £63,445 Engine: 1.4-litre petrol plug-in hybrid Power: 218hp 0-62mph: 9 secs Top speed: 119mph EV range: 30 miles CO2: 43g/km Out: Now Right, I promised you Henry the hoover. Ricky made sure he gave the Multivan a good clean before handing it back. He said: 'I had a lot of pride in it. It wasn't even mine but I hoovered it before the guy picked it up. Always go with a Henry. I'm not going to say anything bad about any other hoover. 'You can try all the flashy new things with the chargers and all that but you can't beat a Henry. 'You can do anything with a Henry. It also works as an occasional chair when you've got guests round. 'I was recording an episode of TFI Friday when they brought it back and we'd been out afterwards. Chris Evans was there and his wife. Kirstie Allsopp. Some other people. I said, 'Come back to my flat'. 'I'd forgotten I'd ordered a sofa but I'd got rid of the other sofa. I think Kirstie Allsopp ended up sitting on the Henry.' Thank you, Ricky.
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Citroen lights up the EV market with six comfy & clever cars under £35k – and a big battery beast coming soon
Citroen has refreshed its entire model line-up in the last 12 months CITRE-ON Citroen lights up the EV market with six comfy & clever cars under £35k – and a big battery beast coming soon Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IMAGINE if Maccy D's did a Statue of Liberty takeover. Or if Wetherspoon's had a Thursday curry club menu hanging off the side of Big Ben. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 The French stuck 250,000 bulbs on the Eiffel Tower in 1925 to spell out CITROEN in 100ft letters - now they have electrified the brand again with six new EVs Credit: Supplied 9 The titchy two-seater Ami costs £7,695 - and it will zip around for 46 miles, recharges in four hours and has a 28mph top speed Credit: simon thompson 9 The first proper car is the e-C3. Two battery sizes. One that'll do 124 miles for £20k and one that'll nudge 200 miles for £22k Credit: simon thompson It's a bit like the French sticking 250,000 bulbs on the Eiffel Tower to spell out CITROEN in 100ft letters. Actually, that last one did happen in 1925 and lit up Paris for nine years. The ad was so bright it could be seen for 60 miles. Legend has it that Charles Lindbergh, the first man to fly across the Atlantic, used it to guide him towards Le Bourget airport as he came in to land in 1927. The car company's founder, Andre Citroen, was a genius marketeer. He illuminated other landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe and the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in his time. There's a bit more red tape to deal with today. One hundred years on, Citroen's 'Electric Show' amounted to a measly six Ami quadricycles parked alongside the River Seine, lighting the way for a random street dance act. And that was about it. That's progress for you. Beloved European car brand releases new 'flagship' EV version of popular you'll never have range anxiety again Thought they'd at least send up some drones. The actual reason I'm in Paris is because Citroen has refreshed its entire model line-up in the last 12 months — all with a plug. Everyone is doing electric cars. But Citroen is doing six at prices more of us can afford. All under £35k. We're getting there, aren't we? It starts with Ami. The titchy two-seater costs £7,695. Not my cup of tea, if I'm honest. But I do like the open-air Ami Buggy that's coming soon. 9 Next up is the £23k e-C3 Aircross - a C3 that has been s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d by 30cm to make the cabin even roomier Credit: Adrien Cortesi 9 The e-C4 is a £28k family hatchback. Not a faux SUV. I already like it Credit: Matt Howell 9 The £29k e-C4 X, a saloon with a big boot Credit: Adrien Cortesi Amazing what taking the doors off can do. Ami will zip around for 46 miles, recharges in four hours and has a 28mph top speed. Everything we discuss from here on out has the option of a petrol engine. Which makes them cheaper and more convenient. But today we're talking electric Citroens. The first proper car is the e-C3. Two battery sizes. One that'll do 124 miles for £20k. One that'll nudge 200 miles for £22k. Not as cool as a Renault 5 but loads more space in the back. There's a C3 van coming soon. Next up is the £23k e-C3 Aircross, a C3 that has been s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d by 30cm to make the cabin even roomier. The petrol has a seven-seat option. But not the EV. The e-C4 is a £28k family hatchback. Not a faux SUV. I already like it. The French VW Golf if you like. The 51kWh version gives you 156hp under your right foot and a range of about 256 miles. Copy and paste the £29k e-C4 X, a saloon with a big boot. Finally, the £35k e-C5 Aircross is Citroen's new flagship arriving in September. Same menu of motors and batteries as a Vauxhall Grandland but with French styling, an upright touchscreen and a squishier ride. The biggest 97kWh battery nudges 422 miles. One thing I will say is that all these cars are super comfy with sofa-like seats and pillow-soft suspension. That's the Citroen way. They're also priced to sell. Citroen UK boss Greg Taylor said: 'We're never going to be the cheapest but equally, as other brands have pushed further upmarket, a white space has been created and that's where we sit. 'The cars look good, they're comfortable, they have the right level of technology, and people can afford them. 'We have five cars under 30 grand you can buy today. So they're not coming in six months. They're not coming in 18 months. They're here today. 'No one else can say that.' This summer Citroen will be launching a service-activated eight-year warranty. Another bright idea. 9 Finally, the £35k e-C5 Aircross is Citroen's new flagship arriving in September Credit: simon thompson 9 The biggest 97kWh battery in the e-C5 nudges 422 miles Credit: simon thompson 9 The cars are super comfy with sofa-like seats and pillow-soft suspension. That's the Citroen way. Credit: simon thompson
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Citroen lights up the EV market with six comfy & clever cars under £35k – and a big battery beast coming soon
IMAGINE if Maccy D's did a Statue of Liberty takeover. Or if Wetherspoon's had a Thursday curry club menu hanging off the side of Big Ben. Advertisement 9 The French stuck 250,000 bulbs on the Eiffel Tower in 1925 to spell out CITROEN in 100ft letters - now they have electrified the brand again with six new EVs Credit: Supplied 9 The titchy two-seater Ami costs £7,695 - and it will zip around for 46 miles, recharges in four hours and has a 28mph top speed Credit: simon thompson 9 The first proper car is the e-C3. Two battery sizes. One that'll do 124 miles for £20k and one that'll nudge 200 miles for £22k Credit: simon thompson It's a bit like the French sticking 250,000 bulbs on the Eiffel Tower to spell out CITROEN in 100ft letters. Actually, that last one did happen in 1925 and lit up Paris for nine years. The ad was so bright it could be seen for 60 miles. Legend has it that Charles Lindbergh, the first man to fly across the Atlantic, used it to guide him towards Le Bourget airport as he came in to land in 1927. Advertisement READ MORE MOTORS NEWS The car company's founder, Andre Citroen, was a genius marketeer. He illuminated other landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe and the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in his time. There's a bit more red tape to deal with today. One hundred years on, Citroen's 'Electric Show' amounted to a measly six Ami quadricycles parked alongside the River Seine, lighting the way for a random street dance act. Advertisement Most read in Motors And that was about it. That's progress for you. Beloved European car brand releases new 'flagship' EV version of popular you'll never have range anxiety again Thought they'd at least send up some drones. The actual reason I'm in Paris is because Citroen has refreshed its entire model line-up in the last 12 months — all with a plug. Everyone is doing electric cars. But Citroen is doing six at prices more of us can afford. Advertisement All under £35k. We're getting there, aren't we? It starts with Ami. The titchy two-seater costs £7,695. Not my cup of tea, if I'm honest. But I do like the open-air Ami Buggy that's coming soon. 9 Next up is the £23k e-C3 Aircross - a C3 that has been s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d by 30cm to make the cabin even roomier Credit: Adrien Cortesi Advertisement 9 The e-C4 is a £28k family hatchback. Not a faux SUV. I already like it Credit: Matt Howell 9 The £29k e-C4 X, a saloon with a big boot Credit: Adrien Cortesi Amazing what taking the doors off can do. Ami will zip around for 46 miles, recharges in four hours and has a 28mph top speed. Advertisement Everything we discuss from here on out has the option of a petrol engine. Which makes them cheaper and more convenient. But today we're talking electric Citroens. The first proper car is the e-C3. Two battery sizes. One that'll do 124 miles for £20k. One that'll nudge 200 miles for £22k. Not as cool as a Renault 5 but loads more space in the back. There's a C3 van coming soon. Next up is the £23k e-C3 Aircross, a C3 that has been s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d by 30cm to make the cabin even roomier. Advertisement The petrol has a seven-seat option. But not the EV. The e-C4 is a £28k family hatchback. Not a faux SUV. I already like it. The French VW Golf if you like. The 51kWh version gives you 156hp under your right foot and a range of about 256 miles. Copy and paste the £29k e-C4 X, a saloon with a big boot. Finally, the £35k e-C5 Aircross is Citroen's new flagship arriving in September. Advertisement Same menu of motors and batteries as a One thing I will say is that all these cars are super comfy with sofa-like seats and pillow-soft suspension. That's the Citroen way. They're also priced to sell. Citroen UK boss Greg Taylor said: 'We're never going to be the cheapest but equally, as other brands have pushed further upmarket, a white space has been created and that's where we sit. Advertisement 'The cars look good, they're comfortable, they have the right level of technology, and people can afford them. 'We have five cars under 30 grand you can buy today. So they're not coming in six months. They're not coming in 18 months. They're here today. 'No one else can say that.' This summer Citroen will be launching a service-activated eight-year warranty. Advertisement Another bright idea. 9 Finally, the £35k e-C5 Aircross is Citroen's new flagship arriving in September Credit: simon thompson 9 The biggest 97kWh battery in the e-C5 nudges 422 miles Credit: simon thompson 9 The cars are super comfy with sofa-like seats and pillow-soft suspension. That's the Citroen way. Credit: simon thompson Advertisement Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.
