CENTRE of attention on the Mercedes stand at the North American Auto Show in Detroit today has to be the all-new high IQ Mercedes E-Class that makes its debut with the claim of being the most intelligent business saloon.

On top of the stylish C-Class-like exterior and interior design, other new features of this 10^th generation version of what has to be one of the key business saloons include the Active Lane-change Assist which allows the driver to steer into the selected lane as if by magic.

Another star feature adding to the intelligence quotient  is standard Active Brake Assist, that warns the driver of impending crash situations and provides just the right level of support during emergency braking and, if necessary, also applies the brakes automatically itself.

In addition to detecting and reacting to slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles, it can also spot pedestrians crossing the danger zone ahead of the vehicle.

Also included as standard is Attention Assist with adjustable sensitivity, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness, and Crosswind Assist, which can help the driver by substantially mitigating the effects of strong crosswinds to prevent the vehicle from drifting too far off track.

There’s also an optional Driver Assistance package that Mercedes claim makes the E-Class the most intelligent saloon in its class and includes Drive Pilot, Active Brake Assist, Evasive Steering and Advanced assistance systems.

Okay, so at first glance the new E-Class’s exterior styling looks like a scaled up version of the smaller C-Class, but that elongated bonnet, coupe-like roof and broad shouldered rear end hide the fact that this E-Class has grown by 43mm, with the wheelbase also increased by 65mm.

If you thought that the new E-Class’s exterior styling was a bit generic, you’ll be more impressed by this new Mercedes saloon’s interior.

The instrument cluster is a large display with virtual instruments in the direct field of vision of the driver, as well as a central display above the centre console. Drivers can also choose between ‘Classic’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Progressive’ modes for the wide-screen instrument cluster.

Making their first appearance in a car in this Mercedes are touch-sensitive control buttons (‘Touch Controls’) on the steering wheel.

Designed to work like a smartphone interface, they respond precisely to horizontal and vertical swiping movements, allowing the driver to control the entire infotainment system using finger swipes without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. Mercedes claim this reduces driver distraction.

Further controls for the infotainment system are a touchpad with controller in the centre console that can even recognise handwriting, and the Linguatronic voice control system.

There are also direct-access buttons for controlling functions such as the air-conditioning system or – in another first – for convenient activation and deactivation of certain driver assistance systems.

Optional extras include two next-generation high-resolution displays, each with a wide screen diagonal of 12.3 inches – a first in this segment.

Beneath their shared glass cover, the two displays apparently combine into a wide-screen cockpit that seems to be hovering in thin air. We can’t wait to see this innovation in practice.

Other new E-Class interior innovations include the use of durable, energy-saving LED lighting technology. With the choice of 64 colours for the ambient lighting, it offers a host of possibilities for personalisation.