These days with skyrocketing fuel prices even luxury car buyers are thinking more sensibly. That’s why Mercedes launched the S350 BlueTEC and equipped it with a new ECO Stop/Start function.

This clean diesel car has an output of 190 kW (258 hp) and 620 Nm of torque, while averaging 6.2 liter per 100 km with CO2 emissions of 164 g/km. Thanks to BlueTEC with AdBlue exhaust treatment and the new ECO start/stop function fitted as standard, the S-Class satisfies emission regulations up to EU6 which are not mandatory until 2014.

The way this start/stop system works is pretty straight forward. But if you have no clue what it is: The ECO start/stop system developed by Mercedes-Benz switches the engine off when the vehicle comes to a standstill – for example at traffic lights. The engine then immediately starts again as soon as the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal. Thanks to the intelligent control system, all of the vehicle’s functions and comfort systems continue to operate during the stop phase.

Of course going green in luxury is not cheap, as this Mercedes costs 76,517 euros, inclusive of 19% VAT!