Mercedes has introduced new engines for its C-Class models in time of the New Year sales - and the good news for the German marque is that a number of them are not affected by Mr McCreevy's changes to the Vehicle Registration Tax bands. In fact, amid strong recriminations from the industry over changes to the 30 per cent upper band, whereby cars under 2-litre will be included, Mercedes may well see some increased sales, writes Michael McAleer.
The reason is, in part, a range of 1.8-litre "twin-pulse" engines in its Kompressor models. These feature in C180 Kompressor and the C200 Kompressor in saloon and estate cars, as well as the C180, C200, C230 C-Class Sports Coupe, and the CLK200.
The 1.8-litre engine in the new E-Class E200 Kompressor saloon is also in the lower VRT bracket.
Chief executive of the Mercedes-Benz division of Motor Distributors Ltd, Matt Fagan, says that he expects demand for all these models to "increase significantly" in 2003.
"Never before have we started a year with such a line-up of new and revised models," he said. "This is reflected in the very strong order banks for 2003."
The revised CL-Class was also launched here last week, with a number of discreet styling changes, and the newly-developed 5.5-litre V12 engine outputting 500 bhp.
Accompanying it at the top end of the market is a revised S-Class, no doubt launched in time for the Christmas rush. The latest model features new safety systems and newly developed engines, along with the a plethora of discreet adjustments, such as clear-lens headlights.
In safety terms, the new Pre-Safe pre-crash occupant protection system in the S-Class can detect an impending collision in advance and put occupants and the vehicle on standby before an impact occurs.
Heading the new engine line-up is the S 600 - a newly developed twelve-cylinder twin-turbo unit 5.5-litre V12 engine developing a maximum output of 500 bhp, making it one of the most powerful engines in its class.
It delivers peak torque of 800 Newton metres upwards of just 1800 rpm and propels the top-of-the-line from 0 to 60mph in just 4.8 seconds.