Geneva motor show - Mercedes-Benz

What's the most important new car at Geneva? Well, you could argue it's this - the Mercedes C-Class. It's the company's fourth compact executive car in 25 years, and - we're told - quite different to any of its predecessors.

How?
It's more sporty to drive, more comfortable to travel in and safer than ever.

Haven't they put the star in the wrong place?
On the grille, you mean? That's the model that will be badged Sport in the UK. It's the first Mercedes saloon with a grille-mounted star, and it's meant to emphasise how good the car is to drive. However, you'll also be able to get SE and Elegance versions with the star in the usual place, on the bonnet.

What does it do to back up these claims?
The four-cylinder supercharged petrol and turbocharged diesel engines are more powerful (while using less fuel), and once again you can have V6 petrols and diesels. The gearboxes are said to be slicker.

There's also a new suspension called Agility Control that controls the shock absorbers according to how the car's being driven. There'll be an Advanced Agility package later, too.

And comfort?
The Agility Control suspension again, and it's a bigger car than before with more room, a smarter cabin and lots of new luxury options that have filtered down from the latest S-Class.

Does it get S-Class safety things, too?
Sure does - there are now seven airbags, including one to protect the driver's knees, brake lights that warn people behind of an emergency stop, front lights that change their beam pattern according to where you're driving, and lots of other ideas to sense a crash and do everything possible to keep you safe.

When and how much?
In the UK in June. We reckon the SE, targeted at the business user, might start close to today's £23,000, but you might face bigger increases for the Elegance and Sport.

To see video footage of the Mercedes stand, click here.