The Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI is one of three cars we've been running fitted with cold weather tyres, and until recently our winter has been in danger of embarrassing anyone whose vehicle had switched rubber last autumn.

Although we know cold weather tyres perform better in the wet as well as at very low temperatures, some snow came to the rescue in February to demonstrate use how well they can work.

Although the main roads were kept clear of most snow and ice, my usual route to work includes five miles of untreated roads, and a few inches of the white stuff made it a little more challenging.

The E-Class being rear-wheel drive would be more likely to face difficulty in slippery conditions than a front-wheel drive car with most of its weight over the driven wheels.

The smooth power delivery from the E220's seven-speed automatic gearbox when in eco mode combined with the tenacity of the Pirelli Sottozero tyres made the commute little different from normal.

Possibly the most impressive aspect is how the car is still capable of braking effectively, event on compacted snow. Braking safely is something often overlooked by those who laud the benefits of four-wheel drive in wintry condition, forgetting that stopping is at lease as important as going.

We've also felt the benefit of heated front seats during the colder spell, standard equipment with leather upholstery in our Executive SE model.

One disappointing aspect of the car so far is a typical fuel consumption in the low-40s mpg. A long, gentle run from Heathrow airport resulted in an indicated 47.9mpg by the end of the 120-mile journey, still some way short of the car's 57.6mpg figure on the combined cycle. With almost 5,000 miles on the clock, I was hoping for slightly better by now.