Mercedes E-Class gets a small 1.5-litre engine in Turkey

Cars with an engine larger than 2.0-litre displacement, the OTV could be as high as 220%.

According to reports, the latest-gen Mercedes E-Class is offered with a 1.5-litre engine in Turkey. The E180 model in Turkey comes with a hybrid setup that makes 168 BHP and 249.4 Nm, allowing it to sprint from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). The reason for the E-Class having a puny 1.5-litre (1,496cc) engine is due to the reportedly outrageous taxes in Turkey.

As per reports, the E-Class in Turkey costs an equivalent of $63,400 before the Special Consumption Tax (OTV) and around $114,000 after including OTV. In addition to this, there is also a 20% VAT (Value Added Tax) and registration taxes - taking the sedan's overall price to $137,000.

In Turkey, the Special Consumption Tax (OTV) for any vehicle with an engine size smaller than 1.6-litre is 45% of the car's value as long as its price doesn't exceed $5,600. The tax increases incrementally based on the base price, going up all the way to 80% if the vehicle's cost is above $8,500.

Reports also state that for cars with an engine larger than 2.0-litre displacement, the OTV could be as high as 220%.

Source: Motor1