THE S-Class has been Mercedes-Benz’s flagship range of saloons since 1972, and six generations later the new line-up has arrived in Australia.

The first wave of arrivals came in November last year and brought with it the S350, the S500 and S63 AMG.

The second wave has just touched down introducing the long-wheel base versions of the S400, S63 AMG and S600, plus a new entry model to the S-Class range – the S300 BluetTec Hybrid.

With a range that tops out at $415,000 for the S600, the S300 hybrid is less than half the price at $195,500 and the most affordable variant on sale.

That said the S300 is every bit as worthy of its S-Class badge as any other of its more expensive siblings, thanks to its outstanding level of refinement, luxury and technology.

But what makes this S300 so special is its diesel-electric drivetrain. While this may well be a two-tonne, five-metre long limousine, its fuel consumption and acceleration match the tiniest Mercedes A-Class.

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