When we originally looked into company cars the first port of call for a company concerned with ethical behavior and excellence was the hybrid market. Everyone knows that the Google guys have bought Toyota hybrids as part of their "don't be evil" ethos and superficially it seemlike a good idea to follow.

A bit of lateral thinking combined with careful research and logic showed that, as is often the case, the real answer was quite different from the obvious and that superior conventional engineering had prevailed in this case. What we discovered was that when we compared like-for-like in terms of safety and practical accommodation BMW were generations ahead with their new 5 series in the guise of the 52d.  The 520d manages a combined fuel economy of 47.9mpg, and emissions of 158g/km. Compare this to the hybrid Lexus (toyota) GS450h – 35.8mpg and 186g/km. Much more irreplacable hydrocarbon burned and more carbon expelled. What's more the BMW wasn't an unsatisfactory underpowered gimmic. The savings to the environment are even greater when compared with say a small Skoda Superb Comfort 1.8 at 228 g/km or a Saab 9-5 2.3t BioPower 238 g/km. And - out of respect to our own staff we are not putting them in noddy-cars - acceleration from 0-60 8.6 seconds and top speed is 139 mph.

Superb roadholding, agile handling and powerful brakes make it easier to avoid an accident in the first place, helped by the highly sophisticated DSC+ stability control system. As well as sat nav, active cruise control with Stop & Go can slow the car down (to zero if need be) and speed you up in order to keep you at a steady distance from the car in front.

Head-Up Display, another option, means the driver can keep their eyes on the road ahead and look at crucial information (such as speed and directions) at the same time. The car is also available with can also get High-Beam Assistant, which spots an oncoming vehicle and dips your headlights, and then returns to main beam when it's passed, while Night Vision uses a thermal imaging camera to detect pedestrians or animals ahead and display their image on the iDrive screen, sometimes crucial seconds before it can be spotted with the naked eye.