As with any upcoming development, the rough edges disappear in later iterations. And so is the case with Mercedes’ latest plug-in hybrids. The second generation, if you like. The new CLA 250 e that we drove in the form of a Shooting Brake is one of those finely ground hybrids.

There comes a time in every man’s life, usually thanks to the “Lady of the house”, when he must trade pleasure for useful. Fortunately, useful doesn’t translate into boring. Let alone ugly. The Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake is the perfect example.