Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz can always be relied on to bring some innovative new technology when it introduces a new model and the E-Class is brimming with it in Geneva. Such is the sophistication of the E-Class's numerous driver and safety aids that the entire press day could have been given over to the new saloon, but the real talk is about the efficiency the new car brings.

What's all the fuss about?

Every E-Class driver will be monitored behind the wheel by Attention Assist, warning drivers if they're getting a bit sleepy. That's just one of many safety innovations on the E-Class, others including automatic emergency braking and options like Lane Tracking, which incorporates a Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist to help maintain the E-Class in the right lane. It's so clever it can even see in the dark, seriously; the E-Class is available with Night View Assist Plus as an optional extra.

What makes it so green?

Mercedes hasn't just been concentrating on the safety of its new executive but its environmental credentials, too. The E-Class can return quite extraordinary economy and emissions figures for such a large car. That's thanks to the adoption of BlueEFFICIENCY across all but the V8 models, this economy-focussed thinking reducing emissions and consumption by reducing weight, improving aerodynamics, fitting low rolling resistance tyres and minimising engine losses through clever auxiliary components. All that means the CDI four-cylinder turbodiesels can deliver 53.3mpg and just 139g/km of CO₂ despite six-cylinder levels of performance.

When can I buy one?

The new E-Class is available to order now, with deliveries in the UK stating from mid-June.

Kyle Fortune