1986→1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 USA
IT WOULD REQUIRE A DRIVER WITH A soul of stone not to glory the abilities of the 190E 2.3 16. In this performance minded age, when the excitement once reserved for sports cars has found its way into so many sedans, it is arguably the world’s reigning performance sedan.
That alone is enough to prompt visceral excitement and an urgent itch to get behind the wheel. But it should not obscure the true engineering achievement that this remarkable machine represents, one that may ultimately equal sheer performance as a reason to buy, drive and own the 190E 2.3-16: it is no mere speed merchant but a superbly well-rounded automobile. Designed to deliver not only blistering performance and driving excitement but to integrate them within that masterfully subtle balance of automotive virtues which has always defined a Mercedes-Benz, and set the marque apart.
What this balance has created is not only a superior performance automobile, but a superior automobile in every criterion. One whose charm will not wear off with its novelty but only deepen over time.
The secret of the 190 E 2.3-16’s exceptional performance lies in its 16-valve cylinder head, a joint development project of Mercedes-Benz and Britain’s renowned Cosworth firm, designers and constructors of world champion racing engines for many years.
Story by Reprint – Mercedes Benz 1986 Brochure
In Detail
| tags | w201, 190e |
| submitted by | anonymous |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1986 – 1987 |
| released at | August 983 at Nardo, Italy’s 12.6- km oval |
| built at | Germany |
| interior designer | Recaro |
| production | 2000 |
| price $ | $ 38,100 |
| engine | DOHC inline-4 |
| position | Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Normal |
| ignition | electronic |
| block material | Aluminum |
| valvetrain | 16 Valve |
| fuel feed | Injection |
| displacement | 2299 cc / 140.29 in³ |
| compression | 9.7:1 |
| power | 124.5 kw / 167 bhp @ 5800 rpm |
| specific output | 72.64 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 121.45 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 219.6 nm / 162 ft lbs @ 4750 rpm |
| redline | 6800 |
| body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Forged Alloy |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15 x 7 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15 x 7 in |
| f suspension | McPhurson Strut |
| r suspension | Multi-link withhydropneumatic level control |
| curb weight | 1375 kg / 3032 lbs |
| weight distro | 54 % / 46 % |
| wheelbase | 2665 mm / 104.9 in |
| front track | 1446 mm / 56.9 in |
| rear track | 1429 mm / 56.3 in |
| length | 4430 mm / 174.4 in |
| width | 1706 mm / 67.2 in |
| height | 1361 mm / 53.6 in |
| transmission | 5-speed Manual dogleg or 4-speed automatic |
| top speed | ~230.09 kph / 142 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~7.8 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~15.6 seconds |
| drag | 0.34 Cd |
| fuel capacity | 68.89 litres or 18.2 gal. |
