Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY comes out on top of field of 22 hybrids and electric vehicles to walk off with the honors for  “2012 World Green Car of the Year.”
Thomas Weber, Board of Management, responsible for  Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, noted, “.With fuel consumption of only 41.3 miles per gallon. the S250 CDI is the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in the world. Mercedes’ win this year was a repeat performance for their clean diesel technology following the 2007 World Green Car Award to the Mercedes BlueTEC E320.  The World Green Car competition factored in tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle’s environmental responsibility. The World Car of the Year experts commented that, “This is the first 4-cylinder S-Class in the 60-year history of the legendary model. Powered by a 204 horse power this S-Class develops ample power from the world’s cleanest diesel, while the incorporation of a start-stop system means that this car produces an outstanding 149g/km of CO2, judges who reviewed the merits of the 22 vehicles in the competition.
 This award is made all the more important this year since this clean diesel CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Mercedes beat out an incredible field of 22 contenders of gasoline hybrids and even several all-electric vehicles.
“Not only is this is a great acknowledgment of Mercedes’ long-standing leadership in diesel technology, but it is an important symbolic victory and signal to policymakers and consumers that clean diesel technology is among the very best in advanced fuel efficient technology vehicles for our future, and a key part of any ’all of the above’ energy strategy for fuel savings and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” noted Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum,  which promotes the use of diesel technology. By Joseph Szczesny