In the next decade, planned changes will include, but not be limited to:

• LCD Dash Modes – Your dash colors will now determine what driving mode you are using. There is an eco mode, which tells you if you are driving at optimum fuel savings. In the sport mode, the dash colors will be red, letting the driver know that your fuel mileage is not as good as it should be. For those driver who don’t want all the colors flashing at them, you can drive in comfort mode, which will be a traditional dash. And, if you drive enough in eco mode, the vehicle will alert you when you can let your hair down and drive in sport mode!
• Active Force Foot Pedal – This technology brings somewhat of a brain to the vehicle. If a vehicle stops suddenly in front of you, the foot pedal will push against the driver’s foot alerting him/her to slow down. Remember though, it does not brake for you, it just alerts you. But this is a great technology in order to       make the roads safer.
• Intelligent Tire System/Fill Assist – In the past, vehicles have had a light on the dash to let the driver know if there is a low tire. With this’ new technology, not only will it let the driver know of low tire pressure but also if your Mercedes-Benz treads are getting thin and need to be replaced. Additionally, the sensor, which is located on the inner tire tread, can even let drivers know if the roads are too icy for their speed.
• Emergency Steering – Some drivers get confused in which way to steer during a swerve. The emergency steering will automatically make it harder to turn in the wrong direction. The driver will instinctively turn the steering wheel in the right direction as that will be the only way to turn the wheel.
• AutolinQ – Since states are banning the use of cell phones while driving unless they are hands free, the auto industry has come up with a new way to check emails and rss feeds while driving. The technology will use your Mercedes-Benz’s speakers and read the emails aloud to the driver. Not everyone will use this technology, but it is a very good idea for the drivers who insist they cannot be away from their emails for very long.

Mercedes-Benz technology is taking great strides withe these latest innovations. It will just be a matter of time before we get to use these types of technology. It will be fun to see what they come up with next.

• 4.6-liter V8 engine
• 7-speed automatic transmission
• Paddle shifters
• 4MATIC all wheel drive
• 4-wheel automatic traction system
• AIRMATIC air suspension with 4-wheel level control
• Electronic Stability Program
• Antilock Braking System
• Brake Assist
• Trailer Stability Assist with optional trailer hitch

MSRP is set at $57,720. For what you get, that’s a steal.

Let’s start with the engine. The 3.5-liter V6 contains 24 valves and puts out 302 horsepower at 6,500 rpm with a torque of 273 pound-feet at 3,500 rpm. The tranny is 7-speed automatic. And the fuel efficiency registers at 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Impressive.

Standard features include:

• Locking fuel filler door
• Vehicle anti-theft via alarm and engine immobilizer
• Selective unlocking via remote
• Automatic brake drying
• Pre-charging brake optimization system
• Hill start assist
• 4-wheel anti-lock brakes
• Wireless access for Bluetooth-enabled devices
• Memory card reader
• World class audio system
• DVD player includes 7-inch screen
• Voice activated control for Bluetooth
• Steering wheel mounted controls for audio, wireless devices, transmission, and instrumentation
• Rollover sensor with crumple zones
• LATCH
• State-of-the-art airbag system
• Power soft convertible top

The fuel efficiency registers at 19 and 25 mpg in the city and on the highway, respectively.

The engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 that kicks out 275 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. It’s a rear wheel drive with a turning ratio of 20.0 inches.

You also get plenty of room inside for a sedan. Luggage capacity is 16.4 cubic feet. Standard seating is for 5 passengers and they get 42.3 inches of leg room in the rear and 41.9 inches in the front. Shoulder room is 59 inches all around and hip room is 59 and 60 inches, respectively.

Key features include:

• Front and rear map lights
• Driver and passenger illuminated vanity mirrors
• Auto dimming day and night rear view mirror
• Dual-zone automatic air conditioning with separate control for the rear
• State-of-the-art airbag system
• Front and rear fog lights
• Slide and tilt glass first row sunroof
• Fixed glass second row sunroof with sunshade
• Optional roof rack
• 12-way power front bucket seats with lumbar support
• Navigation system with voice activation features
• AM/FM/HD satellite radio with 6-disc in-dash CD player and 15 harman/kardon speakers

High performance doesn’t have to be expensive. At less than $50,000 MSRP, you get more than your money’s worth.

The engine is a 3.5-liter V6 with a dual overhead cam and kicks out 268 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 258 pound-feet of torque. For handling, you’ll be impressed by the Electronic Stability Program and equally impressed by the 4MATIC all wheel drive with 4-wheel electronic traction. Plus, the Mercedes-Benz safety features are so enhanced you won’t even feel like you’re driving with other cars on the road.

The transmission is a 7-speed automatic with Touch Shift, and you get paddle shifters as an added bonus.

The brake system is as state of the art as they come as well.

For fuel economy, you’ll enjoy getting 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. For 2WD, you’ll get 1 mpg better.

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 SUV is stacked with impressive features, inside and outside. With DVD navigation, a rear seat entertainment system, tons of passenger and cargo volume, dual-zone climate control, privacy glass for rear doors, and a ton more features on deck, you’ll never drive another SUV again. The ML350 is where it’s at.

Recently, the social icon endorsed Mercedes-Benz in a YouTube video, an action that has some people asking if such practices are ushering in a new age of technology celebrity auto endorsements.

In a dramatic presentation, Mercedes-Benz and Vic Gundotra manage to highlight key features of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and it starts with the engine immobilizer feature prominent on Mercedes-Benz models – a safety feature no driver hopes to ever need, but when they do they are sure glad to have it.

It could have saved Mr. Gundotra’s life.

Below you can watch the Mercedes-Benz video and hear in Mr. Gundotra’s own words how impressed he is – a professional software engineer – with the Mercedes-Benz brand and its world class technology.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Starting with above-average statistics, the vehicle has achieved a rating of 60 on Yahoo!’s green rating. Eco-conscious drivers should love it.

The 3.0-liter V6 engine with 24 valves can kick up a nice 228 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. And with a 6-speed manual transmission, the C300 Sport Sedan is rated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for EPA fuel efficiency.

Standard features include:

• Child safety locks on rear doors
• Selective locking/unlocking via remote
• Vehicle anti-theft via alarm and engine immobilizer
• Locking fuel filler door
• Hill Start Control
• Brake Assist
• Wireless communication access for Bluetooth-enabled devices
• Centralized control instrumentation for audio and phone
• Steering wheel mounted controls for audio, cruise control, and wireless-enabled devices
• Voice activated controls for Bluetooth devices
• Front power glass tilt and slide sunroof
• And state-of-the-art safety and security features

In addition to world class standard features, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C Class C300 Sport Sedan is also equipped with some extraordinary options for the discriminating driver. These include 4MATIC all wheel drive, Sirius Satellite Radio, Nav and Universal Media Interface, Keyless Go Card Key, rear electronic parking aid with camera, a panorama sunroof, and several special add-on packages.

If you like Mercedes-Benz luxury with a sedan look and sports performance, then the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport Sedan is the perfect car for you.

The MSRP on the R350 BlueTec is $51,740. That’s not bad for a Mercedes-Benz.

The turbocharged engine block is a 3.0-liter V6 DOHC with 24 valves. It runs on diesel fuel and the registered EPA rating is 18 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. The horsepower put out is 210 at 3,800 rpm and the torque is 400 pound feet at 1,600 rpm.

The 2011 R350 also comes with a nice handling package. You get ABS, brake assist, electronic brake distribution, ventilated four-wheel discs, electronic traction control with immobilizer, electronic stability control, and a super suspension system with rear suspension levelling.

Interior standard features include:

• Dual-zone fully-automatic climate control
• Anti-theft protection
• Audio system with AM/FM radio, six CD changer with MP3 read capability, RDS, and a digital media card
• Compass
• Trip computer
• Steering-wheel mounted audio controls
• Headlight control with dusk sensor
• And a whole lot more – in fact, this barely scratches the surface

For exterior features, you get third row windows, day time running lights, Electric glass sunroof, luxury trim, and a lot more as well.

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class 350 BlueTec Crossover has much more to offer to include dynamic safety features. You’ll be impressed, and your whole family will as well.

The auto window stickers are a partnership between the Environment Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Specific information that will be featured on the window stickers include:

• Predicted fuel savings
• Automobile environmental impact
• City, highway, and combined fuel economy ratings
• Annual fuel costs
• Air quality ratings
• Scannable QR codes

The QR codes, when scanned, will allow consumers to visit a government website and receive information on the best vehicle to drive based on input data regarding their driving habits. This will make automobile shopping easier. Imagine being at your local Mercedes-Benz dealer and scanning the QR code with your smartphone. You can input your driving habits information and receive instant validation that your favorite Mercedes-Benz model is just right for you.

One of the unique and cool features of the 2013 window sticker is that you’ll be allowed to compare fuel economy ratings of various types of automobiles. For instance, you’ll be able to see how an electric or hybrid vehicle stacks up against a gas-only vehicle.

With the rising cost of gasoline, even Mercedes-Benz drivers have to be cognizant of how fuel economy numbers affect their driving habits. The new vehicle window sticker is designed to add clarity to this.

Here are 5 reasons why insurance premiums are higher today than they’ve ever been before.

1. Fraudulent personal injury claims – Frauds make everyone pay more. Just in the past ten years, personal injury claims due to auto collision have gone up by 70%. Frauds are staging accidents and making claims, which increases everyone’s insurance premiums as the insurance companies seek ways to win back their losses.
2. Higher legal costs – Let’s face it, the economy has got everyone seeking higher premiums – even attorneys. Fuel prices have gone up and anyone who drives a vehicle needs to raise more money to pay for the fuel. So legal costs are going up and that means insurance companies, who end up paying a good percentage of those legal fees, must charge more for their policies.
3. Expensive foreign auto parts – Unfortunately, this affects Mercedes-Benz drivers. The rising cost of replacement parts means insurance companies must charge more for their premiums.
4. More uninsured and underinsured motorists – When the economy tanked, a lot of people canceled their auto insurance. Illegal? Yes. Do these drivers care? No. They were, after all, doing what we all do. They looked at their family expenses and had to make some cuts. That means insurance companies with uninsured and underinsured policy holders have picked up the slack, which means your premiums have gone up.
5. Less trust in young drivers - Young drivers get a bad rap when it comes to driving and insurance costs. It is deserved, however. Their inexperience and risk-taking behavior means they are more likely to be involved in an auto accident, and statistics prove that. If you’re between the ages of 17 and 22, you’ve probably seen your insurance premiums go up by 51%.

When you go to buy your next Mercedes-Benz, be sure you consider the cost of insurance in your calculation of owning the vehicle.