Mercedes concept

While other manufacturers pull out of Detroit or cancel big unveils, Mercedes is taking the January motor show pretty seriously. Not only will the all-new E-class be shown for the first time, but there will be a bunch of environmentally-focused technologies debuted in this, the BlueZero.

The B-class based car comes in three world-saving guises. There's the BlueZero E-Cell, an all-electric car designed primarily for town use, with a two-hour charge yielding a range of around 60 miles. It comes fitted with lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor providing 100 kW (136bhp) of power and a healthy 236lb ft of torque. It's pure electric power means there's not a jot of carbon coming out of the exhaust.

If your driving extends beyond a short commute then there's the E-cell Plus, which adds internal combustion to the E-cell's electric motor, creating a hybrid. The engine in question is the 3-cylinder job from the Smart Fortwo, meaning a 3-cylinder 999cc unit providing up to 71bhp. It means the BlueZero's range increases to nearly 400 miles, but at the expense of emissions, although the Smart's 103g/km isn't hugely troubling to the environment on the whole.

The third variant is the F-cell, with no prizes for guessing it's a fuel cell. It produces electricity via hydrogen and boasts the same performance as the all-electric version with no emissions. It appears Mercedes is undecided on which alternative fuel to commit too, as electricity (once thought as a dead-end due to its low range) makes a comeback with cars from the Smart right up to Ruf's Porsche 911-alike models getting volt-power.

One definite thing you can take from the BlueZero is styling hints for the next Mercedes B-class. While the premium mini-MPV hasn't been a massive success in the UK, other markets have really taken to it - especially the Europeans, with Brabus even tuning a B for the Bologna motor show earlier this month.

The BlueZero will be at the Detroit motor show in January, with the new E-class sitting more conventionally alongside it on the Mercedes stand.