STICKY finger marks which can spoil the glossy interior of many a modern car are about to become a thing of the past.

Mercedes has come up with a ‘dab proof' facia which will arrive on the next generation B-Class compact MPV next year.

Moving very much up market, the cabin on the new B-Class also features a snazzy full colour display screen akin to an iPad.

And in keeping with the clean look of the new dashboard, it is no longer a touch screen but operated by a rotary control on the centre console.

The German car maker lifted the lid on its new interior at its Advanced Design Centre on the shores of Lake Como in Italy.

High quality wooden veneers, air vents similar to those fitted to the SLS gullwing supercar and door mounted seat adjusters as used in larger Mercedes models are also part and parcel of the new look for the B-Class.

Many of the features - especially the display screen - are likely to make their way on to forthcoming Mercedes cars.

Designer Michele Jauch-Paganetti, in charge of the Como studio, said: "We don't want all our interiors to be the same but there has to be some commonality because of cost."

The secret to the new dashboard finish lies in a tiny matrix on the surface which prevents touch marks showing.

The new B-Class will first be seen at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show and is due on sale in Britain next March.