Nintendo has announced that Mario Kart 8 will receive an in-game Mercedes GLA kart racer as free DLC

Nintendo has announced that Mario and his pals will soon be able to tool about Mario Kart 8's day-glo tracks in a stylish Mercedes Benz. It's about time the plumber with the most had some new wheels.

Nintendo has added a Mercedes GLA racing kart as free DLC to the game. The dowload has been slated for release in Japan this summer. No release date for Europe has yet been announced, but Nintendo UK's statement sounds rather positive.

"The announcement this time was made by Mercedes-Benz Japan regarding their collaboration in Japan with NCL," a Nintendo UK spokesperson said.

"For the information relating to the distribution of the GLA kart for MK8 outside Japan, we will be able to announce in the near future,’ the spokeperson added.

This marks perhaps the very first time a branded automobile manufacturer has placed a kart in any Mario game - although it's not the first time for Nintendo games as a whole. The deal also sees the portly plumber starring in a live action advert for the Mercedes GLA.

While the arrival of branded content from a second party in a Mario game may seem like a weird fit, the move gels with Nintendo's announced desire to expand its IP licensing efforts in order to help with its flagging financial earnings.

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