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OVER the next few weeks, car dealerships will – at last – be open for sales again (although it’s been okay to wander round your local garden centre or visit an estate agent for a while) and much of the industry is talking about potential incentives for buyers. Alison Jones, boss of Peugeot, Citroen and DS in the UK, has gone as far as to say: “Customers may wait for a stimulus package before making a decision”, while Ford of Britain boss Andy Barrett said: “It’s Ford’s view that it’s necessary we have stimulus in the market to help customers come back with confidence. That may be a scrappage scheme or something similar.” But are incentives really necessary? Vauxhall boss Stephen Norman will always give it to you straight, so…

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for your daily news updates Long-running roadster to return as a 2+2 with a fabric roof New SL will share technology with AMG GT sports car James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods MERCEDES is plotting a radical overhaul for one of its longest-running models: the SL roadster. Due in showrooms in the next 18 months, the new model is being developed by Mercedes-AMG, with a focus on injecting a new level of performance. Last year, sports cars contributed to slightly more than one per cent of the brand’s total sales worldwide; around 28,400 sold in 2019, according to Merc’s own figures. That’s a rise of 48 per cent over 2018, but by the firm’s own admission, the AMG GT line-up accounts for most of that, with the compact SLC roadster and fullsize…

W198 (1954-63) Iconic Gullwing lasted for three years before Roadster replaced it. Fourcylinder 190 SL was the affordable alternative. W113 (1963-1971) ‘Pagoda’ model came with a removable hard-top. 230, 250 and 280 models all came with six-cylinder engines. R107 (1971-1989) As well as a roadster, Mercedes produced the four-seat SLC coupé up until 1981. This was the first SL with a V8. R129 (1989-2001) SL moved into the nineties with V12 power introduced for the first time. AMG versions also appear. R230 (2001-2011) Introduced folding hard-top roof first seen on the SLK, as well as adaptive body control and other hi-tech aids. R231 (2012-2020) Outgoing SL was a heavily updated version of the R230 that used an all-aluminium body for the first time.…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods “The Coupé and Cabriolet go on sale in the UK at the end of June, priced from around £46,000” Revised coupé and cabriolet New tech from saloon debuts ELSEWHERE at Mercedes, the marque has followed up the facelifted E-Class saloon and estate with refreshed versions of its Coupé and Cabriolet versions. Both go on sale in the UK at the end of June, priced from around £46,000. As with the saloon, the Coupé and Cabriolet get reshaped LED headlights, a revised front bumper, a new, partially chromed radiator grille and fresh two-piece LED tail-lights. Buyers can also spec a set of new, aerodynamically efficient alloy wheels and a choice of four extra paint colours. Inside, there’s a new multifunction steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls, revised sports seats, a…

John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy “The plug-in 530e will be offered as a Touring estate for the first time, and there’s a new six-cylinder petrol plug-in, badged 545e” Styling and efficiency tweaks Performance plug-in launched THE current BMW 5 Series is the best-driving executive saloon in the class – and now the German manufacturer is going to turn up the heat on its rivals by introducing efficiency gains and fresh in-car tech on this new, facelifted version. Outside, the changes are subtle, as you’d expect for a midlife refresh of such a well established model. The kidney grille is wider and taller, the headlights are slightly slimmer, and there’s a new LED tail-light design. There are different bumpers at the front and rear, too, along with a new wheel design for M Sport…

ELSEWHERE at BMW, it’s been announced that the plug-in hybrid version of the X2 crossover will be priced from £37,885 in the UK. Badged as the xDrive25e, the newcomer goes head to head with the Mercedes GLA 250 e plug-in, with first deliveries expected in the summer. The X2 uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 125bhp and 220Nm of torque. This is joined by an electric motor developing 95bhp and 165Nm of torque, which is powered by a 10kWh battery pack. Total powertrain output is 217bhp with 365Nm of torque. Every X2 xDrive25e has four-wheel drive, with the engine supplying power to the front axle, and the electric motor driving the rear wheels. BMW claims up to 35 miles is possible on electric power alone, while 0-62mph takes 6.8…