MERCEDES S-CLASS

There’s a special feeling when you are driving behind that famed Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star – though perhaps I am a tad biased because the finest car I ever owned was a classic 300SEL.

Whatever, I awaited delivery of the new generation S-Class with growing anticipation. It did not disappoint., offering me a wonderful blend of style, comfort, performance and agility. This is an ultimate in luxury.

Surprisingly, economy was also on the agenda – the silky smooth 3.5 litre engine of the top-selling S350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY version giving an amazing 37.2 mpg, despite the car’s considerable bulk. No wonder this model’s predecessor, the S320 CDI, accounted for 95 per cent of the S-Class’s UK sales during its last model year.

The price has only changed by a few pounds but with the new model comes a raft of add-on equipment: 18-inch lightweight alloy wheels, an LED light package and intelligent light system, advanced parking guidance, attention assist and an advanced telematics programme included.

Petrol variants start with the 3.5 litre V6 S 350 and rise through the S 500 L and S 63 AMG L to a range-topping pair of V12 biturbo versions – the S 600 L and the remarkable S 65 AMG. Several long-wheelbase models are on offer, perfect for those who enjoy the luxury of a chauffeur. On the road prices range from £57,815 to an eye-watering £154,390.

This is the ninth generation of ultra-luxurious limousines since the Type 220 of 1951.

In the six decades since, Mercedes-Benz has sold more than 3.3 million examples of its range-topping luxury saloon globally, easily making it the most successful car in its class.

The current 221 series continues the tradition set by the Type 220 and has sold more than 270,000 units since its international launch in late 2005 with the UK market accounting for 9707 sales.

Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has pioneered many passive and active safety features, most of which were introduced on the S-Class before filtering down through the rest of the company’s range. Some technology is still unique in its class – there are safety systems that can only be found in a Mercedes-Benz.

The new generation S-Class continues this tradition and includes a number of standard safety features including Attention Assist. The system detects driver drowsiness, which safety experts reckon is a factor affecting one in every four crashes, making it a bigger cause of accidents than drink driving.

There’s a very real ‘feel good’ factor to driving this car. It’s big and spacious but in no way unwieldy, being exceptionally easy to park. But it’s out on the open road that this superb car’s class shows through.

Performance is sparkling, road-holding is agile – and there’s all that safety though, like `Clarkson on ‘Top Gear’ I found the night vision screen a distraction rather than a driving aid.