Mercedes to go all turbo by 2010

STUTTGART, Germany — Mercedes-Benz will use turbocharging as its fuel-efficiency and emissions-cutting strategy across the lineup, with every one of its products to get turbos by the end of 2010. That's the word from Daimler AG's board member in charge of R&D, Thomas Weber, who made the announcement to Automotive News Europe this week.

The automaker is also planning to put more emphasis on hybrid vehicles, Weber said. For starters, the top-end S-Class is getting a hybrid variant in 2009, he said. Then there's the all-electric Smart Fortwo, which is slated to start production in 2010.

In a recent interview published on Daimler's Web site, Weber said he was "convinced that a sensible attitude toward the environment doesn't have to conflict with a fascination for exciting cars.... Fascination and mobility must and will remain compatible."

What this means to you: Fascinating news from Mercedes as it faces down strict new EU regulations. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent