MERCEDES-BENZ has launched two new models on the Irish market this week. The C-Class coupé could be seen as a replacement to the old CLK and as a new departure for the brand. Aimed squarely at the BMW 3 series coupé and Audi A5, it undercuts both in terms of pricing at entry point.
It is a handsome car, which the Germans hope will bring new, younger customers to the Mercedes-Benz brand. Mercedes-Benz sales manager Ciaran Allen points out that this is a car being aimed at an internet-savvy generation.
The brand has also produced a short Hollywood-style film, Drive and Seek, which strongly features the new car. It can be viewed at Mercedes-benz.tv, but don’t expect it to get too many Oscar nominations. There will be a choice of five engines in the new car, with diesel engines consisting of two 2.2-litre models of 170bhp and 204bhp.
Petrol models are two 1.8-litre units with 156bhp and 204bhp. At the top of the standard petrol range is the 3.5-litre V6 with 306bhp.
There is also the C63 AMG version that uses a 6.2-litre V8 for €96,500. This will be available on order only.
Prices start at €36,000 for the C180 Coupé petrol model, with the diesel range beginning at €39,990. The C220 CDi has annual road tax of just €104. There will be Standard, AMG and Edition 1 sports pack versions.
Also released this week is the new Mercedes-Benz SLK. The range kicks off with the SLK 200 CGi which comes in at €49,700. This version has 184bhp from the four-cylinder petrol engine.
Also available will be the SLK 250 BE with 204bhp and, at the top of the range, the 3.5-litre, 306bhp V6-powered SLK 350. A diesel-powered SLK, the 250 CDi, will join the line-up at the end of this year.
The addition of these new models will be a welcome relief at Mercedes-Benz as sales have fallen so far this year compared to the same period last year. Sales are down 13.5 per cent compared to 2010, but sales in May were up 28 per cent, with 203 new Mercedes-Benz models registered.