- See also Mercedes-Benz 190 for other models sold with the same name
The Mercedes-Benz W201 was a smaller automobile introduced in November 1982 as the Mercedes-Benz 190E. Right hand versions were introduced the following year. All 190 Classes were built in Bremen, Germany. The model was a single 4 door saloon/sedan body type which was designed to fill a gap in the model range below the W123 series. It was quickly dubbed "the Baby Benz". In Europe the petrol engine range included 2.0 carb and injection engine plus a 2.3, 2.6 and finally the budget 1.8 ltr. Diesel power was supplied by 2.0 and 2.5 litre engines, the latter with a turbo.
High performance models were developed for rallying but a change in the rules opened the door to 4 wheel drive models, Mercedes choose not to re-engineer the car and so turned their attention to the Deutschen Tourenwagen Masters motorsport series instead.
For the USA the engine range did not include the 1.8 or 2.0 petrol blocks, while the Diesel engines were dropped after 1989. The 190E 2.3 version was dropped after 1988 and returned in 1991. 1993 marked the debut of the Limited Edition.
Production ended on May 5, 1993. About 1.8 milion were produced. The C-Class replaced it in 1994.
190E 2.3-16
This high performance version of Mercedes-Benz's smallest car debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1983, after its reputation had already been established. Three cars, only slightly altered in cosmestic bodywork, had previously set three world records in August at Nardo, Italy . They recorded a combined average speed of 247.94 kph (154.06 mph) over the endurance test of 50,000 km. Twelve international class endurance records were also established.
The heart of the 2.3-16 was its engine, which was developed by Cosworth engineers. It had a light alloy cylinder head with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder (16 valves total), giving the performance version its name. The 190E 2.3-16 consequently produced 72 hp and 41 lb-ft of torque more than the basic single overhead cam engine with only 2 valves per cylinder. The 2.3 L engine (designated the M102) produced 185 hp at 6,000 rpm and 174 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm. Acceleration from 0-100 kph (62 mph) was 8 seconds, and the top speed was 230 kph (144 mph). The larger 2.5 L engine replaced the 2.3 L in 1988 and increased output only by 10 hp without any additional torque. The, now renamed, 190E 2.5-16 continued production until 1993 giving the coveted car a 10-year production run, only 2000 of which were imported to North America.
An Evolution version in a quantity of 502 units was produced for competition purposes in March 1989. The engine was altered to have a shorter stroke and produced a much improved 315-320 hp with an associated increase in torque as well.
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