Already on the leading edge of luxury and performance, Mercedes-Benz now looks to become a leader in fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.
Starting in 2010, all Mercedes-Benz models will be available with turbocharged engines. With increased emissions standards in the U.S. and Europe, turbocharged engines will allow Mercedes cars to be lighter and more fuel-efficient without losing the horsepower that consumers expect.
While it isn’t clear how this announcement will affect the AMG models or the supercar SLR McLaren or whether the turbochargers will be mounted to four-cylinder engines or V-6s, this move will most certainly help the German manufacturer reduce its carbon footprint considerably.
In addition to turbocharged engines, Mercedes-Benz vehicles will also start to implement full hybrid systems most likely similar to the system currently used in General Motors' hybrid trucks and SUVs (like the GMC Yukon Two-Mode Hybrid we recently tested), hybrid versions of the the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango and upcoming in the BMW 7-Series. The first Mercedes car to benefit from the hybrid system will be the S Class and should arrive in 2009.
More news from Mercedes includes the announcement that sister brand, smart, will begin production of a full-electric version of the popular fortwo model beginning in 2010.