When in fact the real reason is because the block itself is too long. A V12 engine is as long as an inline-six and Mercedes’ latest line of their mainstream engines are all in the V-design. This means that their cars are not designed with an engine compartment that is large enough to hold the engine.

But don’t get too scared. This does not mean that Mercedes will be giving up on power. The V12 engine program is only being shifted to the twin turbo V8’s and forced induction. Just because there will be fewer cylinders does not mean that the horsepower will drop. Mercedes will most likely find new ways to increase the power and keep consumers happy.

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The interface is similar to those of the competition because it will allow access to the different digital media that can be found on the Internet as well as access to any phone information. The only difference is that myCOMAND will be entirely based on the Internet. That means that there are no more hard drives, the majority of computer hardware, and CD/DVD players.

In order to give it a test run they showed off myCOMAND during the LA Auto Show. Those who were able to test it out said that they were able to learn how it worked within a matter of seconds. They were able to search the Internet without any problems, check how the weather was, find the cheapest gas in the area, and search Google maps without any hiccups.

Despite this successful test run engineers at Mercedes still feel that the concept is still a few years away from being produced. We think that it is going to be the next best thing in navigational systems for vehicles. Don’t believe us? Check out the video that Autoblog made when they tested it out and see for yourself how it works.

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Mercedes stated this week that they will be designing each Bluetec Diesel to only turn on when it has been given the proper amount of urea. Drivers can check the supply the same way they would check their oil levels. The new system will even be built with sensors that will monitor that the exhaust is properly neutralized. That way owners know not to fill the urea tank with water.

They are using this ingredient to ensure the diesels will be successful in replacing electric and hybrid cars. With urea these diesels will meet the emission standards. Urea is made from natural gas. It can be expensive when replacing it – but many diesel fans feel that it is with it. They believe that they will get better gas mileage. Mercedes will introduce the new system in the 2010 E320 model.

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Unlike Mercedes-Benz’s current supercharged engines, these turbocharged motors won’t be built in the name of performance, but rather to meet upcoming emission standards. Not only does the automaker have to worry about the new CAFE mandate in the U.S., but also new legislation in Europe that will require Daimler to cut its average fleet emissions by 33 percent by 2012.

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Mercedes-Benz will bring it back to life as they move their design studio from its current 13,000 square foot location in Irvine, to the larger 35,000 square foot former Chrysler location in Carlsbad, California. While both parties have confirmed the pending sale, terms and move-in dates have not been released.

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Mercedes will be throwing out the 6.2 liter V8 engine and introducing the new 5.0 liter, twin turbo, V8 which will be designed to push out 570 horsepower and 665 pound-ft of torque. The output is said to hit 700 horsepower and 885 pound-ft of torque instead of the 612 horsepower V12 mil.

Forced induction is only part of the equation, as AMG is looking to a new hybrid-equipped V8, dubbed BluePower, that will either come with the X-Trac Flybrid system or a 100-hp electric motor integrated into the transmission. There’s also talk that AMG will be releasing its own plug-in hybrid by 2012 and that diesels will continue to become an important part of the brand.

The other issue with which AMG has to contend is Mercedes’ own turbocharged offerings. Future M-Bs will be sporting turbo’d V8s displacing 4.0-, 4.6- and 5.5-liters, with outputs ranging from 355 to 544 hp. And what of the upcoming AMG supercar? Car says that the gullwing super coupe, codenamed C197, will debut in March of 2010 and be powered by the same 6.2-liter V8 (likely the last application of that engine) while sending all that energy through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

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Knowing Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ preference for Mercedes, and Apple’s new push into consumer electronics, a GPS system is at least somewhat believable. Add the audio system element, and people got to thinking. What if Apple wasn’t working on two projects with Mercedes, but instead just one?

It seems plausible that Apple’s next step after in-car iPod integration would be in-car iPhone integration. Music, movies, Internet and GPS all from one pocket-sized gadget on your dashboard? Now that sounds like Apple. Unfortunately, there has been much gnashing of teeth over the fact the iPhone does not include GPS. But could it by 2009? Can we hope Apple and BMW are working on a new iDrive? Hey, the name’s already there.

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These systems also have the ability to make predictive interpretations of critical driving situations and then issue timely warnings to drivers, or even intervene autonomously if there is imminent danger. “Several years ago, we introduced PRE-SAFE, which gave the vehicle certain ‘reflexes,’ so to speak,” says Dr. Thomas Weber, DaimlerChrysler Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes Car Group Development.

“In the future, we will also give cars the ability to ’see’ and ‘think.’ It’s always been a matter of policy for us to develop vehicles capable of withstanding the most severe crash tests. However, it makes much more sense to prevent accidents from occurring in the first place, which is exactly what we’re working on in the interest of all traffic participants.” In the future, Mercedes-Benz will continue to base the development of its safety systems on real-life accident statistics and data from its own accident research activities.

The focus here will be on intersections, sharp curves, and construction sites, as these locations are the site of approximately one-third of all serious accidents that occur in Germany. Other issues to be addressed in the development of new driver assistance systems include driver fatigue, speed, and lane departure, all of which are also among the most frequent causes of accidents. Mercedes-Benz will also further improve occupant protection through preventive measures and by networking active and passive safety systems.

Systems developed by Mercedes-Benz have been helping to improve road safety for many years now. The invention of ESP alone, which reduces the danger of skidding and makes it easier for drivers to handle critical situations has led to a sustained improvement in traffic safety. The most recent German accident statistics confirm that since ESP was introduced as standard equipment, Mercedes passenger cars have been involved in accidents much less frequently than models of other brands.

Since 1999, the share of driver-related collisions in all accidents involving newly registered Mercedes models has declined by more than 42 percent. Studies show that more than 20,000 accidents could be prevented each year in if all passenger cars were equipped with ESP. The Electronic Stability Program has now therefore joined seatbelts, airbags, and ABS as one of the most important safety systems in modern passenger cars. Still, only around 40 percent of all new cars in are currently equipped with this technology.

The Brake Assist (BAS) system, which Mercedes-Benz began offering in 1996 (the world’s first brand to do so), has also proved to be a very effective technology for preventing accidents. Following the introduction of BAS as standard equipment, the share of total accidents accounted for by rear-end collisions fell by eight percent for Mercedes vehicles, but remained nearly unchanged for all other brands. Brake Assist also led to a 13 percent reduction in the proportion of serious accidents involving pedestrians.

Mercedes-Benz will continue to base the development of its driver assistance systems on real-life accident statistics, and will utilize new technologies to focus more strongly on the phase immediately preceding an accident. The brand’s engineers are developing systems that monitor the area around the vehicle, warn drivers of potential dangers, and then support them if necessary. Such systems will also activate preventive occupant protection systems in critical situations.

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In addition, with 4MATIC, you get the outstanding control of all-wheel drive without sacrificing true sport-sedan driving enjoyment. With 60% of the overall torque distributed to the rear wheels, crisp steering and the balanced feel of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle are retained, making any Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC model a joy to drive in any season.

Finally, the simple, yet sophisticated, 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive system uses few mechanical components. This reduces wear-and-tear on expensive internal parts, allows for a more comfortable ride, and is ultimately a relatively lightweight system, which translates to improved fuel economy.

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