We’re told that the vehicle is about the same size as today’s M-Class, though you can expect Mercedes to adopt new engines under the hood. Car shoppers will be pleased to know that both the V6 and V8 engines will offer more power and significantly better fuel economy.

At a press event earlier this year, Mercedes said to expect 306-horsepower and 24-percent better fuel economy from their new 3.5-liter V6. The new 4.7-liter V8 has been turbocharged to produce 435-horsepower with 22-percent better fuel economy.

It’s worth noting that most of those mileage gains are the result of a new stop/start system that shuts off the engine when the vehicle is not moving. Unfortunately, it’s not clear if the system will make it to the US because of concerns over cost and whether or not government fuel economy ratings will give enough credit to the system.

Inside, we’re expecting Mercedes to equip the new ML with it’s latest generation of active safety equipment. Several new or improved technologies like Blind Spot Assist, Distronic Plus, and Attention Assist are available now on the E-Class family and it’s likely that they will make their way into the new ML when it hits the market next year.

Fortunately, automakers have been hard at work on cutting-edge technology that can keep you and your family safe.  Some of these features can even intervene to keep you from driving off the road or into another vehicle.  Think of them as an electronic guardian angel.

We searched through the hundreds of new cars on Honk to pull together a list of the most advanced safety features available on the road today.

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1. Lane Departure Warning & Prevention

Have you ever reached for something in the car only to find that you’ve veered from your lane once you look back up?  Several automakers are hoping to avoid this dangerous situation through a feature called Lane Departure Warning.

These systems use a camera to look ahead and keep track of where your vehicle is in relation to lane markings.  If you veer too close without using your turn signal or without deliberately turning the wheel, the system will beep to alert you.

Infiniti’s version of the technology goes one step farther and can gently apply the brakes on the opposite side of the car to prevent it from leaving the lane.  It’s currently available on the Infiniti FX, EX, and QX utility vehicles and the M sedan.

For the time being, Lane Departure Warning systems are fairly expensive and are found mainly in high-end luxury cars.  Prices are coming down, though, and you can now find the feature on more reasonably priced cars, like the Buick Lucerne or Volvo S60.

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2. Blind Spot Detection & Prevention

You can’t avoid what you can’t see.  Blind Spot Detection systems use radar sensors to detect cars that are either in your blind spot or that are approaching very quickly.

Different automakers have different ways to alert the driver but most include some kind of warning light on or near the side-view mirrors.

Infiniti’s take on the technology goes one step farther and will actively try to prevent you from side-swiping another vehicle.  The system will carefully activate the brakes on the opposite side of your car, tugging you back if you make a wrong move.  This can buy precious fractions of a second for the driver to react accordingly.

Blind Spot Detection is becoming more affordable with each passing model year.  You can now find the technology on several wallet-friendly vehicles, like the Ford Taurus and Buick LaCrosse.

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3. Collision Mitigation

Collision Mitigation systems use a combination of cameras, lasers, and radar to watch out for obstacles ahead.  If a collision is imminent, the system will alert the driver.  And if the driver fails to react to the warning, some systems can even apply the brakes to either avoid the accident entirely or to at least minimize the severity of the hit.

The Volvo XC60 is one of the first cars to make a feature like this standard.  Its “City Safe” system can fully stop the car at speeds up to 9mph and can minimize impacts at speeds up to 18mph.

It’s important to note that Collision Mitigation systems are not foolproof, though.  It takes a moment or two for the sensors to detect new obstacles and sometimes rain or snow can confuse the sensors and temporarily cause the system to turn off.

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4. Drowsiness Alert

Some of the most deadly accidents are caused by drivers who fall asleep at the wheel.  If a car leaves the pavement at high speeds, it’s at much higher risk for a dangerous rollover.

If you’re feeling drowsy, the best thing to do is pull over and get the rest that your body needs.  To help you know when enough is enough, some automakers have developed systems that watch out for drowsiness and then alert the driver.

Lexus has a system that uses a small camera to watch the driver’s face.  The system knows that people blink more slowly when they are tired and can alert you to pull over when your eyelids start to droop.

Some Mercedes vehicles will also tell you to pull over, but their system is based on the steering wheel.  Drowsy drivers have a tendency to saw erratically at the steering wheel.  Using data collected by safety engineers, the Mercedes system will compare your steering wheel inputs to those of drowsy drivers.  If it thinks that you’re becoming tired, the system will alert you via beeps and a warning message inside the speedometer.

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5. Electronic Stability Control

33,963 people died in motor vehicle crashes last year.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes that many of these deaths are unnecessary, estimating that mandatory Electronic Stability Control systems could save an estimated 10,300 lives (and 238,000 injuries) per year.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems use a variety of sensors to compare where the driver wants the vehicle to go and where the vehicle is actually going.  If there’s a difference – meaning that the vehicle is starting to skid out of control – the ESC system steps in and carefully activates one or more brakes to halt the skid and keep the vehicle in control.

Stability control systems have been available on some vehicles for over a decade now and their effectiveness has been proven.  Mercedes data shows that the technology can reduce accidents by over 30%.  Toyota estimates even higher, at 50%.

The life-saving benefits of ESC are so clear that the federal government has passed regulations requiring that all new cars and trucks have the feature as standard equipment by 2012.

Until then, make sure that the car you’re shopping for is equipped with ESC.  In cases where you have to pay for the feature as an optional extra, keep in mind that the few hundred dollars you spend on ESC is probably cheaper than the insurance deductible you’d have to pay after an accident.

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6. Night Vision

If you’ve ever driven down a deserted road at night, you know that surprises just beyond the reach of your headlights can appear when you least expect them.

Some automakers have begun to offer Night Vision systems, similar to what the military uses for nighttime combat missions.  These devices use an infrared camera to look far down the road and display large objects with great clarity.

Many of these systems can even detect and highlight human forms, helping you to avoid that jogger or bicyclist exercising alongside the road.

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7. Ford MyKey

Ford deserves a special mention for their brilliant ”MyKey” feature.  It’s intended to keep teen drivers safe and lets you assign separate keys for each driver in your household.  Each key can be coded to enforce specific driving restrictions.

If you want to keep your teen from driving too fast or from getting distracted, you can set a maximum speed for the car and a maximum volume for the audio system.

MyKey will also mute the audio system until seat belts are buckled and will chime earlier when the fuel level starts to run low so that Junior doesn’t run out of gas.  Most importantly, MyKey prohibits the disabling of critical accident-avoidance features, like the Electronic Stability Control system.

In addition to keeping your teens safe, MyKey also comes in handy if you need to valet park your car and don’t want the valet to go for a Ferris Bueller-style joy ride.

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8. Auto High Beam

When’s the last time you used your high beams?  If you’re like most people, you’re not using them enough.  A study by the US Department of Transportation found that high beams are used in less than one quarter of the instances in which they should have been.

Most people say that they forget to switch on their brights or that they’re afraid that they may blind other drivers.  Whatever the case may be; relying on your low beams in some situations can be dangerous because you won’t have enough time to see and react to obstacles.

A new safety system can automatically switch on your high beams when conditions allow.  It uses a special camera to watch out for the headlights and brake lights of other vehicles, ensuring that you’ve got the best possible visibility without having to worry about blinding other motorists.

Auto high beams can be found on many different vehicles, from the Chrysler 300 to the Mercedes S-Class.

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9. Pedestrian Detection

According to safety data from Volvo, 14% of all traffic fatalities in Europe are pedestrians.  Bad weather or a partially blocked view can make it hard for drivers to see and react to pedestrians.

Pedestrians have traditionally been very difficult to detect by radar or laser, so the latest technology uses a camera to look around for people much like a human driver would.  The system uses special software to identify pedestrians based on their shape and movements and then keep track of them until the car passes.

Volvo is debuting an advanced Pedestrian Detection system on their new S60 sedan that can both alert the driver and automatically apply the brakes if he doesn’t react to avoid the pedestrian in time.

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10. Safety Common Sense

Until automakers can find a way to bring costs down, many of the advanced technologies explored in this article will remain on expensive luxury cars.  But there are still several things that you can do as a car owner to keep you and your family safe when out on the road.

Most importantly, make sure that your tires have sufficient tread and are properly inflated.  It sounds simple, but this helps your car to maintain traction in emergency situations and can help you to reduce braking distances if you have to stop suddenly.

Make sure that your side-view mirrors are also adjusted properly.  If you can see the sides of your car, your mirrors are set too close.  You should adjust them so that you have one large field of vision that extends seamlessly from the left to the center to the right.  Ask a friend to stand ten feet behind the car and walk to the left and right as you adjust your mirrors.  There should be virtually no interruption in your view as she paces back and forth.

Last, it’s important to remember that the most important piece of safety equipment in your car is you, the driver.  Keep distractions to a minimum and do your best to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Remember $4.00 per gallon gasoline?  Daimler CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche made comments at the Beijing Auto Show that hint at high oil prices and much more in the near future:

“If you look at the population and the growth here [in China], you quickly reach the conclusion that it would be unthinkable to provide these people with traditional gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. There just isn’t enough oil for that. So there has to be personal transportation that is not dependent on oil and is CO2-free to the greatest possible extent.”

Zetsche’s comment signals a new outlook from the maker of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars.  The CEO envisions a future in which the world is forced to find new sources of energy for personal transportation.  Daimler is clearly anticipating the approach of high oil prices – and potential oil shortages – as growth in China, India, and other emerging markets begins to strain global resources.

As Renault-Nissan CEO and fellow electric vehicle proponent, Carlos Ghosn said at the Tokyo Auto Salon a few months ago: “If all your transportation relies on one commodity, you’re in trouble.”

Though EVs run solely on electricity, the energy they need can come from a diverse range of sources like solar, wind, nuclear, coal, and natural gas.  Though it will take time to build additional power plants and a public charging infrastructure, Ghosn and Zetsche see a need for this kind of flexibility in an oil-strained future.

Daimler is currently producing about 1,000 electric vehicles for a real-world market test and is involved with Chinese automobile company, BYD, to design and build an electric vehicle tailored specifically for the Chinese market.  Nissan intends to launch their first mass-market electric vehicle, the Leaf, later this year.  Its French partner, Renault will launch an all-electric sedan called Fluence in 2011.

Other manufacturers are ramping up their EV efforts, as well.  Chevrolet is due to launch their extended-range electric vehicle, the Volt, in a few short months.  And as we reported here a few weeks ago, BMW recently announced a new manufacturing plant in Washington State that will produce lightweight body panels for their own upcoming “megacity” electric vehicle in 2013.

Assuming that Dr. Zetsche’s bold prediction for the future is correct, how high would fuel prices have to rise to get you to switch from a gasoline- or diesel-powered car to an electric vehicle?

The Platinum Coverage program includes free scheduled maintenance and no-cost replacement for common wearable items, like windshield wiper blades and brake pads.  Coverage lasts for 5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.  Roadside assistance is also included.

BMW offers a similar Ultimate Service program, which has been credited with boosting sales after it’s launch several years ago.  Carlo Poccino, a BMW sales consultant in Irvine, California notes, “We’d be selling a lot fewer cars if it weren’t for Ultimate Service.”

It’s clear that Jaguar needs the boost.  The British marque has been hit particularly hard by the global economic recession.  Sales in the first quarter of 2010 were down 14% compared to the prior year, at a time when the industry as a whole was up 16%.

Unlike other luxury manufacturers, Jaguar lacks an entry level model that can attract buyers who are either on their way up into the luxury ranks or who are downsizing as a result of tightening household budgets.  The lowest priced vehicle in the Jag lineup is the stylish XF sedan, which starts at $52,000.  For comparison, the Mercedes C-Class starts at $33,600 and the BMW 1-Series at $29,150.

With the new Platinum Coverage program and a striking new XJ flagship sedan on the way, Jaguar is hoping for a strong rebound in the latter half of 2010.  In an interview with Automotive News, the company’s vice president for sales and marketing, Richard Beattie, said that the new program is, “game changing for Jaguar.”  He expects the program to increase traffic and help to close deals at dealerships.

“This will dramatically improve people’s perception of the brand,” he added. “Getting customers into our cars is a real goal. If they don’t want to shop for Jaguar because they feel servicing is too expensive, we have wiped that concern out completely.”

Here at Honk HQ, we decided to get ready for commencement day by heading to the library and researching the most popular cars for new grads.

Our final paper is full of coupes, sedans, and hatchbacks with plenty of personality.  Compared to previous years, however, you may notice that this list of top cars for the Class of 2010 comes up short on pickup trucks and SUVs.

Given their general sensitivity to the environment and the sky-high fuel prices this class experienced at the end of their Sophomore year, the shift to smaller and more fuel efficient cars makes a lot of sense.  Who wants to spend hard-earned cash on a gas guzzler when there are expensive student loans to pay off?

What you’ll find in place of off-roading gear is technology – and lots of it.  Gadgets and software are a way of life for these members of the Echo Boom generation and it shows in their vehicle choices.

The winning Mazda 3 on this year’s list can be had with a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, satellite-based navigation system, keyless engine start, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic climate control, and high-intensity discharge headlights that can swivel to illuminate corners at night.  These kinds of features used to be reserved for mom’s Mercedes, not fuel-sipping junior sports sedans.

So finish cleaning out your dorm room and take a look at Honk’s 21 Best Cars for College Grads:

1. Mazda 3

2. Nissan Altima Coupe

3. Honda Civic



4. Scion tC

5. Toyota Corolla

6. Subaru Impreza

7. Ford Focus

8. Mitsubishi Lancer

9. Volkswagen GTI

10. Ford Mustang

11. Honda Accord Coupe

12. Chevrolet Cobalt

13. Scion xD

14. Jeep Liberty

15. Volkswagen Jetta

16.Lexus IS250/350/F

17. Hyundai Elantra

18. Mini Cooper

19. Toyota RAV4

20. BMW 1-Series Coupe

21. Nissan Cube

When the Equus goes on sale this fall, the roomy rear seat and powerful V8 engine aren’t the only things expected to make waves.  Hyundai is eschewing the traditional printed owner’s manual in favor of a brand new Apple iPad.

Customers will, “have a gorgeous color touchscreen loaded with the manual electronically, as well as photos of the whole Hyundai lineup,” Krafcik explained.  The device will even come pre-loaded with special software to make scheduling the occasional service appointment easy.

Yep.  There’s an app for that.

Chris Hosford, a spokesperson for Hyundai notes, “We thought it was keeping the vehicle in tune with the owners we expect to attract.”

Tech-savvy owners aside, it’s clear that Hyundai is trying to ride the same wave of hype that the iPad is enjoying right now.  At $499 a pop, it’s a very cost-effective way to advertise a new luxury car.

The potential for the device in an automobile is also very exciting.  Luxury cars today come equipped with a myriad of high-tech features that can often be difficult to understand and operate.  Creating an electronic manual – one with photos and videos – could be a great way to educate new owners and overcome some of these hurdles.

Hyundai’s new flagship is months away and it remains to be seen if affluent customers will still be lured in by the iPad’s charm when the car goes on sale – or if they’ll pay the expected $50,000 – $60,000 for the privilege.  In any case, playing with an iPad sure beats reading a manual.

It’s a small world, after all.

Renault and Nissan today announced that they are expanding their alliance to include Daimler AG, maker of Mercedes-Benz automobiles.

At the press conference in Brussels, Carlos Ghosn of Renault-Nissan and Dieter Zetsche of Daimler explained that they will partner on a new small-car platform that will be used as the basis for the next-generation Renault Twingo and Smart cars, including an all-new four-seat Smart model.  The companies will also share gasoline, diesel, and electric powertrains.

To solidify the new three-way alliance, the companies will each take a stake in each other.  Daimler will buy 3.1% of both Nissan and Renault and the Franco-Japanese alliance will in turn buy a combined 3.1% share in Daimler.

The alliance is the latest move following a turbulent year in which Saab and Volvo were sold for pennies on the dollar and Pontiac and Saturn were closed permanently.  2009 saw Renault’s first annual loss in 13 years.  Daimler, too, had a tough time with net losses of 2.6 billion euros.

Automakers today face rapidly escalating costs from new safety, emissions, and fuel economy regulations.  To compete profitably, they require massive economies of scale.  “The name of the game is to be present everywhere,” Nissan’s CEO explained, “so we are going to move for more and more consolidation.”

On it’s own, Daimler would be unable to generate the economies of scale needed to sell small cars at a profit.  Likewise, the Infiniti luxury division of Nissan lacks the economies of scale needed to equip their luxury cars with fuel-efficient diesel engines in Europe.  Through the alliance, each partner will have access to the platforms and engines it needs to survive in an industry where costs are rising rapidly.

The difficulty, of course, will be in creating products that stay true to each brand’s unique character.  Will customers warm to the idea of a humble Renault engine under the hood of a luxurious Mercedes?  Will diesel-powered Infiniti vehicles steal sales from their German partners?

The three companies claim to have studied these possibilities and intend to use separate technology packages to maintain their unique personalities.  “Each brand has its own identity and its own kind of products and its own cost and price level,” Renault boss Carlos Ghosn said. “We need to keep each brand very different from the others.”

Juergen Pieper, an analyst with Metzler Equities in Frankfurt said that the risk to Mercedes is “practically zero,” reminding that ultra-luxury brand, Bentley, is owned by Volkswagen and still has no trouble commanding prices above $200,000 per vehicle.  The alliance, he noted, will be, “really touching only small cars and this is not a sensitive part of the group.”

Helmut Becker, an economist with the IWK think tank in Germany added, “there is no mixing-up in the product lineup, and [parts sharing] will happen under the hood.”

Renault and Nissan have been in a successful alliance for the past eleven years, though they generally don’t compete in the same market spaces.  It remains to be seen, however, if the addition of Daimler will create tension.

For the time being, at least, Ghosn is predictably bullish.  “Do not be surprised if we continue to add scale.”