WHEN the Mercedes-Benz B-Class made its debut in 2005 it was the first compact people carrier to be built by a prestige motor manufacturer.

With that market now well established the Germans have raised the bar producing a new generation of what it now calls a compact sports tourer.

The world premiere of the car took place at the Frankfurt Motor Show and it was launched in UK showrooms earlier this year with Mercedes reporting good initial sales.

That's not a surprise as the B180 CDI Sport I tested is a looker with a sleekness resulting from improved aerodynamics and new sporty lines.

There are muscular wheelarches and a striking roof spoiler as well as side skirts and eye-catching headlamps that give it a rock star feel.

It carries the BlueEFFICIENCY label allowing the B180 CDI access to a raft of gizmos and hi-tech goodies aimed at reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions - so easing pressure on wallets and purses in these economically challenging times.

There is an ECO start/stop system which turns the engine off in traffic to help save energy and in the B180 I drove the diesel engine is capable of more than 60mpg given a conservative attitude to the accelerator pedal. The efficient oil burner is linked a slick six-speed manual gearbox with shift point indicator.

Standard equipment on the B180 CDI Sport includes snazzy 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels and air conditioning. There's a multimedia system that is easy to use via a turn/push control in front of the centre armrest offering access to a CD /radio system, with an aux-in socket and USB port housed in the centre console.

A 5.8-inch colour display is also on the menu of the B180 CDI Sport as is a telephone keypad plus a Bluetooth interface for hands-free telephony. Man-made leather upholstery, xenon headlamps and a reversing camera are also fitted.

Safety equipment features enough airbags to float to the moon, anti-lock brakes with a brake sssist system as well as an extremely useful attention assist system which monitors steering behaviour and sounds an alert if it detects fatigue on long journeys.

Mercedes' radar-based collision warning system is fitted as standard giving the driver a visual and acoustic warning if the set safety distance from a vehicle ahead or a stationary obstacle narrows suddenly.

An electronic stability program includes a hill hold function which stops the car from rolling backwards as the driver switches from the brake to the accelerator pedal when starting up a slope. Take your driving test in this baby and that's one thing the examiner can't fail you on.

The cabin is ultra modern with neat touches such as air vents with silver-chrome surround as well as chrome trim on the load compartment sill and door handle. There is also ambient lighting in the four door recesses.

The B-Class is an attractive beast for crooks so Mercedes fit a hi-tech alarm system with immobiliser and interior protection.