The Mercedes-Benz E 220 d AMG Line Saloon has been announced as ‘Executive Car of the Year’

The Mercedes-Benz E 220 d AMG Line Saloon has been announced as ‘Executive Car of the Year’ in the 2016 Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards.

The E-Class, which was launched in the UK earlier this year, was praised for its combination of advanced safety technology and its ‘roomy’ and ‘comfortable’ interior.

Mark Bursa, editor of Professional Driver Magazine, said: “The new E 220 d is a formidable vehicle, taking on a lot of safety technology and interior finish from the S-Class. It’s roomy and comfortable, and it is still the benchmark executive car for chauffeurs.”

Rob East, Head of Fleet, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, added: “The E-Class is a hugely important model for us – it’s at the very heart of our brand. It’s one of our longest serving models and it’s great to see the car still getting the recognition it deserves. The newest E-Class takes style, comfort and technology to a new level, making it the perfect executive package.”

Professional Driver magazine is the UK’s monthly publication aimed at the private hire, chauffeur and taxi industry. The Professional Driver Car of the Year is chosen from the seven category winners, and the awards are announced at the Professional Driver Awards dinner in November.

The E-Class saloon was launched in early 2016 and is one of the most technologically advanced cars in its segment. The E 220 d features a new 2.1-litre diesel engine, which further boosts efficiency and refinement. In September, Mercedes-Benz introduced the new E-Class Estate which adds a level of practicality to an already attractive offering.

The Volvo XC90 T8 Plug in hybrid has been awarded the green car of the year award.

• XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid crowned Green Car of the Year at the Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards
• Honoured for its luxuriousness, affordable running costs and low CO₂ emissions
• Volvo’s comprehensive chauffeur programme also praised

The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription has been voted Green Car of the Year at the 2016 Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards.

The awards celebrate the best in the private hire, chauffeur and taxi industry, and the Green Car of the Year category was open to any vehicle with CO₂ emissions of 70 g/km or below. 

The XC90 T8 sits comfortably below that figure, with CO₂ emissions of just 49 g/km, helped by its innovative petrol-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

That’s not the T8’s only impressive figure. It can be driven for up to 27 miles in zero-emission, virtually silent electric-only mode, and its official combined fuel economy figure is 134.5 mpg. 

The XC90 T8 has space for seven adults in its luxurious interior, while its boot provides an impressive 967 litres of luggage space when the two rearmost seats are folded down.

Drivers and passengers will certainly appreciate the XC90 T8 Inscription’s beautiful cabin. Nappa soft leather upholstery, natural wood inlays and leather door tops are all standard, as are rear footwell and side step illumination, and integrated sun curtains in the rear doors. Every XC90 T8 also comes with a panoramic glass sunroof and four-zone climate control.

Class-leading connectivity comes as standard, too. The ground-breaking Volvo On Call app allows you to control numerous functions of the car from your mobile device, including the ability to heat or cool the cabin so it’s at the perfect temperature when you and your passengers get in the car. The innovative touch screen control system offers pinch and zoom functionality, and you can even use it while wearing gloves. You can also turn the car into a WiFi hotspot using the increased signal strength of the car’s antenna, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are available.

As you’d expect from a Volvo, safety is paramount. Every XC90 comes with automatic emergency braking, which works day or night, along with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection. There are also advanced safety aids to prevent the car from inadvertently leaving the road, while the standard Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive system takes the strain out of long motorway journeys by helping to regulate the car’s speed, distance from any vehicle in front, and position in its lane.

Volvo’s bespoke chauffeur programme also won praise from the judges. This includes a three-year, 100,000-mile warranty, a like-for-like replacement vehicle, direct aftersales support and service plan options. Contract hire offers of up to 50,000 miles a year are available, too.

Commenting on the award, Mark Bursa, the editor of Professional Driver, said: “The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine offers a great combination of luxury, low running costs and great manufacturer support through a benchmark chauffeur programme.”

Selwyn Cooper, Head of Business Sales for Volvo Car UK, said: “The XC90 T8 is already proving a huge hit with Volvo buyers, and for it to win this award is an honour, especially because it is chosen by leading chauffeur and private hire professionals. The XC90 T8’s blend of space, luxury, tax-efficiency, refinement and safety makes it the perfect car to drive or be driven in.”