THERE'S a lot to be said for not being hooked on speed.

For a start it means you're more likely to keep a clean licence and it's sure to save you a bundle of cash (...and that's apart from the speeding fines).

Take the Mercedes E220 CDI Coupe for instance - one of the smaller engined versions of the exotic looking four-seater clocks in at a bit under £40,000, which is not that much more than an up-specked 3-Series or a flagship Accord.

It starts to look even better when you discover that its bigger brother, the CL, bears a price tag of more than double.

With a relatively modest sized diesel engine - 2,143cc and 170bhp - the Coupe is graceful, comfortable and stylish rather than mega-fast.

Nevertheless, many wouldn't turn their noses up at the 145mph top speed and acceleration to 62mph in a shade over eight seconds.

A bit agricultural at first, the four cylinder diesel soon settles down to a distant ‘thrum' and the power is easily accessible via the excellent seven-speed automatic gearbox. The good thing about diesels, even relatively low powered ones, is that there's usually ample torque.

I drove the AMG version with sporty trimmings, steering wheel gear-change paddles and side skirts.

These appendages, though subtle enough in their execution, tend to err on the side of the ‘sheep in wolf's clothing' variety. And there are bound to be those who will have the car de-badged to give the impression that they own the much more gutsy 350 CDI.

In Germany, it works the other way round. Owners de-badge their powerful versions to make them appear more innocuous than they actually are.

An obvious payback for the smaller engine - there is also the less powerful 200 version - is impressive economy. I wheedled an amazing 44mpg over 450 miles of mixed-bag driving. The official figure is 58.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 129g/km - that's lower than my wife's Fiesta runabout.

Mercedes is a master at reaching the right ride compromise between sportiness and comfort. The hefty E220 CDI can be hustled through bends with very limited cornering roll, yet will remain poised and fluid enough over uneven surfaces. All this is complemented by the best steering this side of a Porsche or Jaguar.

On the subject of comfort, those in the front are well catered for. Big, wrap-round seats, electric headrests, loads of legroom and a generous glovebox plus central storage bin make life on the move easy and pleasant.

Getting into the back via the wide front doors can be a little undignified but once there the separate seats are well shaped and comfy. There's a tray for oddments between the two seats and cup-holders but no map pockets in the backs of the front seats.

Standard kit on the £39,110 AMG Sport Coupe includes parking sensors front and rear, heated front seats, electric heated door mirrors, dark aluminium interior trim, leather seating and seven-inch sat-nav display screen. Of course, there are always extras and this car came with keyless-go (£930) and metallic paint (£645)...two options I could happily live without.