Driver Who Injured Five Officers Is Jailed

Driver Who Injured Five Officers Is Jailed

A 'maniac' driver left five officers injured when he rammed into several police cars in a stolen van during a high speed chase. Irfan Mohammed, 30, caused 拢60,000 worth of damage when he ploughed the three tonne Mercedes Luton van into three patrol cars which were pursuing him. A court heard officers started chasing him after spotting the stolen vehicle on the M5 near Droitwich, Worcestershire, on May 16 this year. In a bid to escape, the thug dangerously drove over a grassed central reservation and onto the opposite carriageway. He then stopped in the middle of the road and reversed, ramming into a pursuing car. Share The chase continued towards Droitwich town centre, where Mohammed again slammed the van into a police car causing the bonnet to crumple. Despite the damage, the officer didn't give up on the chase and eventually stopped the reckless driver by ramming him off the road. Mohammed, of Hodge Hill, Birmingham, tried to escape on foot but was bitten by a police dog and arrested. Several officers in the pursuit suffered injuries including whiplash, a suspected broken hand and burns caused by the airbag. He was jailed for 22 months at Worcester Crown Court yesterday. Mohammed was also banned from driving for five years and must complete an extended driving retest upon his release. Sentencing Judge Robert Juckes QC said it was one of the worst examples of dangerous driving he had ever seen. He added: 'It's about as bad as it gets. The police were having to make an extraordinarily difficult decision as to how best to deal with a person who was behaving effectively - it's not an exaggeration to say - like a maniac in a car.

Yes it doesn鈥檛 drive like that old MGB GT I once drove. The MGB was a sports car of its time, its steering responses are still fast to this day. This was because Mercedes was building a competent sedan, and not a sports car. Its slow steering meant that passengers won鈥檛 feel as if they鈥檙e riding in a dodgem car. The slowed responses, smooth ride cossets them, makes them feel good after hours in the car. Everything is sensible. So sensible that after 36 years of age, it still is a good nearly modern classic car to own. A W123 Mercedes would be an even more sensible buy with its more modern driving style but if you really want a big grille with vintage style lights, and lots of chrome bumpers, this is the one to get. I liked driving it. Slow, and dull witted it may be, but an experience nonetheless. Note:W114s and W115 are essentially the same late 60s early 70s mid-sized sedans. The 114s are those equipped with 6 cylinder engines and the 115s with the smaller 4 cylinders ones.

We鈥檝e just bought a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300, the mainstream version of the newly redesigned C-Class sedan. Based on our first impressions, we think a lot of people are going to like this car. It鈥檚 somewhat larger inside and out than the last generation, and it remains beautifully finished inside. It鈥檚 everything a Mercedes ought to be: comfortable, quiet, agile, and altogether well sorted out. The new C-Class takes styling cues from the flagship S-Class, new last year, and comes standard with a raft of up-to-date safety gear such as a collision-avoidance system that can automatically brake to stop the car in some situations. Two versions are available initially, the C300, powered by a 241-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, and the C400, with a 329-hp, 3.0-liter turbo V6. The C-Class is now built in Alabama, alongside Mercedes鈥?SUVs. We opted for an all-wheel-drive C300 with a typical options array, including the Premium package, panoramic sunroof, blind-spot assist, and rearview camera. 47,560, our C lands at the higher end of the sports sedan spectrum, where it competes most directly against the BMW 3 Series.

As you begin to cover some ground, it becomes clear that power from the small four-cylinder engine is ample and that turbo lag is essentially imperceptible. The seven-speed automatic works well. So far, this powertrain combination has been averaging a respectable 26 mpg. A console-mounted button labeled 鈥淎gility鈥?lets you toggle between Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus modes. Each setting alters transmission shift points and changes the steering heft. Predictably, Eco dulls responses while Sport Plus may be too frenetic for relaxed cruising. Comfort is the happy medium most people will probably prefer for everyday driving. And when in a hurry, Sport mode might be the choice. Helpfully, the mode selector and dash display make it instantly clear what setting you鈥檝e selected. As to actual agility, the new C has quick reflexes with very prompt steering response, making the car corner with alacrity. It鈥檚 sporty and always enjoyable to drive.

The pliant suspension delivers a comfortable ride, with Mercedes鈥?typical cushiness and settled body motions. 47,000 sedan. But that鈥檚 the modern world; Many luxury-level cars use turbocharged four-cylinder engines these days. Inside you鈥檒l find the expected Mercedes upscale execution, with a high-quality feel to every surface, switch, and button, and nothing garish or flashy. The artificial-leather upholstery, called MB-Tex, is the most believable fake leather you鈥檒l find anywhere, and honestly, it can pass for the real thing. The center screen looks like it floats in the middle of the dash but unfortunately, its baffling menu structure resembles the S-Class鈥?too much. Other Mercedes models have a more straightforward control interface, and it looks like the folks in Stuttgart are about to give it up. A piano-black touchpad provides an alternative method for selecting various functions and on cars with navigation, the touch pad allows for some shortcuts. Some of us found that it gets in the way of the more reliable center knob. The rear seat, a low point of the last C-Class, has markedly improved and now allows decent space for an adult. So far, the new C-Class seems to be a very satisfying car with accomplished ride and handling, top-drawer interior fit and finish, and advanced safety features. It certainly has the potential to land among the highest-rated sports sedans, but we won鈥檛 know that for sure until our formal tests and evaluations are completed in the weeks ahead.