In the case of the S-Class, one assumes that the cost of the car is the reason for the high insurance cost. Actually, the reason why the S-Class costs so much to insure is because it places 2nd on the vehicle loss list, slotting in between the Scion tC and the Mitsubishi Lancer, which placed 1st and 3rd respectively. How and why the LWB S-Class came to be second is for the IIHS to explain. At the other end of the spectrum however, is the smart ForTwo. This car is at the top of the list for the lowest loss vehicle as far as the insurance companies are concerned. So, if you’re a family man and decide to buy a ForTwo as a commuter car, expect to pay one of the lowest premiums around. If you’re Benz is not on the list, but you’re still paying a lot of your insurnace, then it might be a good idea to get some auto insurance quotes and compare.

In the more immediate future, it’s not far-off that an S-Class will debut with electric motors in all four of its wheels. This technology has been amply demonstrated by the electric SLS and an electric S-Class needs only to have a better range than that demonstrated by the electric SLS to be a practical mode of transport for the luxury car set.

Little by little, we are getting more definitive glimpses of the soon-to-be released 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Planned to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show this coming September, the sixth-generation SL prototype was recently seen in the company of some of its market competitors, namely an Aston Martin Vantage and an XK Jaguar. Although the pictures reveal the general contours of the car, there are not enough detail pics yet to make comparisons with the previous generation or with its current siblings.

We do know that the SL is lighter than the previous iteration because of its use of carbon fiber and reinforced plastic components. As with other current Mercedes models, a wide range of powerplants will be offered, among them a 3.5-litre V6 and a range-topping 4.6-litre biturbo V8. With the latter choice, it would seem safe to assume that an AMG version is in our future.

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is arriving soon – 2012 to be specific. According to reports, the new model will come in four different versions, all falling under the codename “W222”. It’s an attempt by the German car manufacturing giant to fill in a much bigger area of the premium vehicle segment with four bodystyle options, namely the standard wheelbase salon, an extended wheelbase salon, a coupe to replace the current CL model, and a four-seat top down.

Now, you might ask if “Isn’t that a little too many S-Class models?” We might agree with you on that but the thing is, you can’t stop a good thing from happening. Mercedes-Benz is simply playing around with their brand new set of MRA parts. MRA, short for Mercedes Rear-wheel drive Architecture, can be divided into 93 unique modules. That’s how flexible the company’s design matrix is. And so, you can expect a lot more rear-drive models coming out in the near future.

The main highlight of the next batch of S-Class models is the front suspension design. It’ll be featuring Mercedes-Benz’s all-new four-link system that’ll make steering, braking and damping forces fully independent of one another, while the rear will be featuring an improved version of the old, tried-and-proven multilink arrangement. Yes, air springs will be standard, albeit the ABC anti-roll function will fetch an extra few dollars.

Also look out for Mercedes-Benz’s MBC, or Magic Body Control system.  It uses a pair of cameras to monitor the road and instructs the vehicle to compensate the control systems for surface irregularities. Kind of like KITT from Knight Rider. And don’t forget the MLC, or Magic Light Control system, which dynamically controls the full LED headlamps based on the vehicle’s speed, steering angle and weather conditions.

Sounds too good to come true? You better believe it.

Source: Car Magazine

Confirmation of this came as the electric S-Class was pictured while out winter testing. Apart from the hybrid versions, the standard range of engines will be Mercedes’ new V6 and V8 MoVe gasoline engines, plus a 2.2 liter diesel like the one found in the currently available S250. This powerplant is the smallest that has ever been made available for the S-Class. Hints of the S-Class’ design may be seen in the F800 concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show last March. As has been the case ever since, new technologies such as  heads-up displays and driver-oriented virtual displays will be introduced. The S-Class has long been a platform for the introduction of new technologies from Mercedes-Benz and the next generation should not disappoint.

The Brabus 800 iBusiness 2.0 is powered by a twin-turbocharged V12 with 800 horsepower and 1,047 pound-feet of torque, pulling the car to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. An electronically-limited top speed of 219 mph can take driver and passengers to a meeting in a hurry. But if things need to be acted on, the iBusiness allows its passengers to conduct its business on the road. To accomplish this, Brabus has outfitted the iBusiness conversion with a trunk-mounted Mac Mini connected to a 15.2-inch TFT, 16:9 aspect ratio monitor that mechanically unfolds from the alcantara-coated headliner. This monitor can also be used as an external display for the two iPad 2s mounted in the electrically deployed and adjustable tables mounted behind the front seats. The tables serve as secure platforms for the iPads and Apple Bluetooth keyboard. Video conferencing is enabled via Apple’s Facetime system. To tie all this tech together, a WiFi network comprised of UMTS and HDSPA networking protocols are employed. Brabus has also developed a custom app for the iPads that allows passengers to control Mercedes’ COMAND infotainment system. Not all the iBusiness gadgets are necessarily for work, however, so a 64-gig Apple iPod Touch is mounted in the rear center console and sends music to either the standard S-Class sound system or a pair of Sennheiser Noise Gard headphones. A wireless DVBT television receiver allows iBusiness passengers to surf a few hundred channels for news or entertainment.

Autocar has just outed some spy shots of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class as it was being tested. The upcoming vehicle, which has a codename of W222, isn’t due officially until 2013, and the pictures still show a heavily covered-up vehicle to hide the car’s exterior from the public eye.

While not much gets past the extensive camouflage of the upcoming S-Class, there’s definitely some amazing curves lurking behind all that cladding. That’s because the new S-Class is supposedly going to take some design inspiration off the F700 concept showcased at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. The car will be powered by a new range of V6 and V8 petrol engines from the MoVe line, along with some diesels—including the smallest S-Class engine, the 2.2-liter four-cylinder used by the S250 CDI that goes for 201 brake horsepower.

It is said that the upcoming S-Class will not be using any cabin designs from current models, although it may take some interior cues from the last Geneva Motor Show concept, the F800 Style. There should be extensive use of wood and aluminum with heavily contoured design architecture.

Of course, no S-Class is complete without a full line of the latest technology Merc can cram inside a vehicle. A couple of front-facing video cameras included in the rear-view mirror console is one of the features expected to be among the tech specs of the next S-Class. There’s also a next-gen damping system called Magic Ride Control, which is said to be able to reduce movements of the car body by half. It will also include pedestrian detection and a low-speed cruise control system.

Give it to BRABUS for always reinventing themselves. The German Mercedes-Benz tuner has just released the first tuned car that passes the future Euro 6 emissions standard, which will come into force in September 2014. That just means BRABUS is nearly four years advanced for the kind of eco-friendly vehicle the EU wants. The vehicle in question? The new Mercedes-Benz S 350 BlueTEC bundled with the tuner’s ECO PowerXtra D6S kit.

Aside from being clean and green, the BRABUS S 350 also gets additional power and torque thanks to the performance kit. Power is up by 55 horsepower and torque now reaches peaks of 509 lb.-ft. Prospective buyers can also opt for special versions of the performance kit, which is available for the four different E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY body styles as well as the new CLS 350 CDI BlueEfficiency variant.

Upon Euro 6 certification, it was found that the BRABUS S 350 was actually 30 percent below the limits under the future emissions standard. That is really an amazing feat, considering buyers will still get improved performance out of the car while staying within the emissions parameters set by the government.

The motoring magazine “auto, motor und sport” has been conducting its vote for the “Best cars of the year” since 1977. This time more than 90,000 readers took part in the longstanding survey to decide the best cars of 2011. This year the editors of “auto, motor und sport” gave their readers a choice between 315 vehicles in ten categories, among them 40 brand-new candidates.

In the luxury car category the readers voted the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in first place, as numerous times before. This was in recognition of the exceptional position that the world’s best-selling luxury saloon has occupied for several decades. The shining attributes of this prestigious saloon include a high level of comfort on long journeys and innovative technology that is unrivalled anywhere.

In the sports car category the readers of “auto, motor und sport” gave first place to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. This super sports car was already able to win the vote for “Best sports car of the year” when it first entered the lists in 2010.

With its exciting design and gull-wing doors, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG harks back to that sporting legend of the 1950s – the 300 SL. The super sports car also dazzles with its exquisite technology which includes such highlights as an aluminium spaceframe body shell, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine with dry sump lubrication as well as a 420 kW (571 hp) and 650 Nm of torque, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in a transaxle arrangement and a responsive sports suspension with aluminium double-wishbone axles. This unique high-tech combination helps to guarantee the highest level of driving dynamics.

MBUSA today announced the starting lineup for a groundbreaking Super Bowl initiative that harnesses Twitter activity to power four competing race teams to football’s biggest showdown, during which the company will advertise for the very first time.

The Twitter-fueled campaign will put four two-person driving teams behind the wheels of specially equipped 2011 Mercedes-Benz vehicles – each embarking separately from Chicago, Los Angeles and New York and Tampa — on February 2 and converging on February 4 at Cowboys Stadium outside Dallas, Texas. Competing for a pair of all-new 2012 C-Class Coupes, teams will have the help of Twitter-savvy celebrities, who, in the role of Team Coach, will rally online support for their assigned teams and raise money for charity in the process.

The Official Mercedes-Benz Tweet Race Teams

TEAM CL

Driving Team
TV personality Layla Kayleigh of Studio City, CA, brings a unique energy to every show she hosts. Her co-driver is frequent on-camera emcee Julissa Bermudez from Los Angeles.

Team Coach
Founding member of legendary hip-hopgroup Run-D.M.C. and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rev Run. Mr. Run is supporting the Lower Eastside Service Center, which provides safe and structured residential environments for New Yorkers living with opioid dependency.

Team Vehicle
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4MATIC Coupe

Team Starting Point
New York, NY

TEAM E

Driving Team
Creative technologist Len Kendall is a prolific Tweeter on the oddities and wonders of the Internet. His Co-Driver is pal and “renaissance man” John Morrison. Both are from Chicago.

Team Coach
New York Yankees outfielder, All-Star and World Series Champion Nick Swisher. His involvement benefits “Swish’s Wishes,” a charity that enriches lives and lifts the spirits of children with vital health issues, while providing care, comfort and support during difficult times.

Team Vehicle
2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet

Team Starting Point
Tampa, FL

TEAM GL

Driving Team
Jennifer Marshall and Co-Driver Meredith Sinclair each care for two kids, a dog and a husband while Tweeting about the everyday challenges of raising good boys in a complex world. They are from Wilmette, IL.

Team Coach
Thirteen-time Grand Slam Singles Champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Serena Williams. Ms. Williams is participating on behalf of The Serena Williams Foundation, which assists U.S. youth affected by violent crimes and helps provide quality educations to underprivileged high-school students.

Team Vehicle
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC Clean Diesel SUV

Team Starting Point
Chicago, IL

TEAM S

Driving Team
Wisconsin residents Todd Sanders and Co-Driver John Pederson met through Twitter and quickly developed a close friendship. Now the two Green Bay Packers fans are headed to their first Super Bowl® as a team.

Team Coach
Chicago-bred bassist and Black Cards frontman Pete Wentz. Mr. Wentz’s involvement benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer centers dedicated to finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

Team Vehicle
2011 Mercedes-Benz S400 HYBRID Sedan

Team Starting Point
Los Angeles, CA

Out of a field of nearly 2,000 candidates who applied for the Tweet Race through the Mercedes-Benz USA Facebook Page, four drivers — each riding with a co-driver of their choosing — were selected based on a combination of social-media prowess, personality and other intangibles that promise to make the race engaging and entertaining to followers. In a random drawing, each driving team was then assigned a city to start from and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle to match.

How the Race is Won

Since each team’s progress is “fueled” by Twitter activity during the race, members of these four driving teams will spend the next three weeks mobilizing their Twitter followings, adding more to their ranks, and urging people to join their team on the Mercedes-Benz USA Facebook Page — featuring a special section through which people can learn about Tweet Race teams, pick a team to support, and ultimately follow the race in real time. Supporters who officially join a team before the race begins are automatically be entered to win a VIP trip for two to the Mercedes-Benz sponsored event of their choice — 2011 US Open, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in September 2011 or the 2011 PGA Championship — if their team wins.

Once the race starts on February 2, the driving teams will depart from their respective locations and attempt to generate as much Twitter activity, or “Tweet Fuel” as possible for their journey to Dallas. Over a three-day period, they will earn points not only for collecting Tweet Fuel, but for their performance on a series of social media-related challenges they will face along the way. The team that reaches the Finish Line with the highest total score will be declared the winner, and the driver and co-driver will each receive an all-new 2012 C-Class Coupe — which will debut later this year.

“We’ve begun amping up our efforts in the social media space to start some new conversation with the brand,” said Steve Cannon, vice president of marketing for MBUSA. “Over the next few years a series of new and very unique vehicles will join the Mercedes-Benz family, and the social media interaction we’re building will be an important foundation. When we made the decision to utilize the Super Bowl to set the stage for these new models, we decided to go beyond simply showcasing the brand to actually creating dialogue, experiences and interaction. We think the combination of our advertising and the Twitter Race will create the type of ‘living’ advertisement that engages people in new ways.”