Even plutocrats can go green these days with one of these two eco-friendly Mercedes-Benz E-class models, starting with the versatile E200 NGD - which cab run on either petrol or natural gas.
Its two-litre four-cylinder engine is rated at 115kW and 270Nm, enough to push the big E-Class sedan to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds and on to 220km/h.
The important numbers, however are the ones that say it averages 6.3 litres per 100km and 147g/km of CO2 when running on petrol, or 4.3 kilograms per 100km and just 116g/km when running on gas.
VERY CLEAN DIESEL
The E220 BlueTec BlueEffiency Edition has a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel for which stuttgart quotes 125kW and 400Nm, 0-100km/h in 8.4 seconds and 227km/h flat out.
However, it also has a seven-speed auto transmission set up for efficiency rather than performance, an idle-stop function, an active-shutter grille, ride height reduced by 15mm and low rolling-resistance tyres.
Featherfooted Mercedes test drivers say thay can get it down to 4,4 litres per 100km, while emitting just 114g/km.
Going green isn't cheap, however; the E220 BlueEffiency, on sale in Europe from September, will retail in Germany for €47 272.75 (R618 250) while the dual-fuel E200 will go on sale in December at €47 808.25 (R625 250).