More than 400 versions of the new Mercedes-Benz A-class travelled across Europe to Milan this week as part of the launch of the car.

Called the Star Tour, 800 drivers from 24 European countries took turns to drive the A-classes, which ended up at a huge finale held in the imposing Castello Sforzesco, Milan, where celebrities from the world of music, fashion, film and sport, including Italian designer Giorgio Armani, joined the Star Tour participants for a party and a live concert by Christina Aguilera.

The tour comes on the back of record-breaking orders for the new car. More than 50,000 have been ordered in the 10 weeks since the A-class went on sale, with 32,000 in Germany alone.

Dr Joachim Schmidt, executive vice-president, sales and marketing, Mercedes Car Group, said: 'We are very satisfied with how incoming orders are developing for the new A-class. Even before the vehicle is scheduled to be presented in the dealers' showrooms, sales have already reached this year's target of 50,000 units.