The 201 collection establishes a brand new phase beneath the higher mid-size class and have become the forerunner of the later C-Class.
“Stylish, protected and sporty” – with these calls for in thoughts, Mercedes-Benz expands its mannequin vary on December 8, 1982 to incorporate a brand new, extra compact mannequin collection beneath the higher mid-size class and the full-size class. The Mercedes-Benz 190 and 190 E fashions of the 201 mannequin collection units new requirements on this market phase. In the present day, even after many years, the design of the compact sedan seems to be fashionable, and the expertise is in no way antiquated.
And the model’s entry-level mannequin, affectionately dubbed “Child-Benz” within the vernacular, remains to be a part of the streetscape as a well-liked, comfy, and dependable basic. After beginning with the 2 petrol engine varieties, the engine vary is repeatedly expanded. As early as 1983, a diesel variant seems, the 190 D. The sporty “sixteen-valve” 190 E 2.3-16 and its successors have been profitable in gross sales and motorsport from 1984 onwards. Particularly within the German Touring Automobile Championship (DTM) they win races and titles.
The 190 and 190 E fashions characteristic the four-cylinder M 102 engine with a displacement of 1,997 cc. The engine has been in use in a modified kind within the Mercedes-Benz 200 of the 123 mannequin collection since 1980.
With a purpose to clearly place the compact class, the model chooses the smaller quantity 190 for the brand new fashions. When Mercedes-Benz presents the successor mannequin collection 202 in Could 1993, it’s given a reputation equivalent to the brand new nomenclature – now it’s the C-Class. Mercedes-Benz has been available on the market since 2021 with the present C-Class of the 206 mannequin collection.
Growth of the Mannequin Vary
For many years, Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles have belonged to the luxurious and upper-middle lessons. This adjustments on the finish of 1982 with the 190 and 190 E fashions. This portfolio growth of the model is in no way a matter after all on the time.
A extra compact mannequin collection has been mentioned since 1974, when professor Hans Scherenberg, Board Member for Improvement, lays the cornerstones for a Mercedes-Benz passenger automotive beneath the mid-size class within the wake of the oil disaster: “This should be a typical Mercedes-Benz. So we are able to’t compromise an excessive amount of by way of driving tradition, security and the corresponding Mercedes-Benz traits.”
The success of Mercedes-Benz implementing these calls for turns into clear when offered to the dealerships and its contractual companions on 8 December 1982: The compact and easy-to-handle saloon conveys driving pleasure, the seating place of the driving force and entrance passenger is simply nearly as good as within the bigger Mercedes-Benz automobiles, and street holding, driving consolation, high quality, reliability and sturdiness doesn’t decline. The belief of the venture is determined on 19 October 1978.
At the moment, the corporate’s board of administrators determines that the 190 can be smaller, lighter and extra economical than the favored mid-range 123 collection. In distinction to that mannequin, the next dimensions are specified: Complete size 4,420 millimetres (minus 305 millimetres), width 1,678 millimetres (minus 108 millimetres), peak 1,383 millimetres (minus 55 millimetres). The load of the Kind 190 is lowered by 280 kilograms to 1,080 kilograms in comparison with the Kind 200.
World’s ‘Most Trendy’ Car Manufacturing
The W 201 has gone into collection manufacturing in Sindelfingen earlier than manufacturing additionally begins on the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen, which emerges from the Borgward plant in 1978.
On the web site, the Nordwerk Im Holter Feld is constructed particularly for the 201 mannequin collection, which is taken into account essentially the most fashionable car manufacturing facility on the earth on the time. For the primary time within the trade, for instance, the axles are put in mechanically.
The previous Daimler-Benz AG invests round DM 1.4 billion within the new plant – the biggest single funding within the firm’s historical past to that date. Manufacturing begins in September 1982 in Corridor 7 with body-in-white parts, that are beforehand delivered to the Sindelfingen meeting plant. With the commissioning of Halls 8 (portray) and 9 (meeting) in 1984, the development of full automobiles begins.
The nice success of the compact class ensures that capacities and workplaces on the Bremen plant are repeatedly expanded. A complete of round 1 million 190s are constructed within the metropolis on the Weser River till August 1993. To today, Bremen is the worldwide lead plant for the C-Class.
Glorious Aerodynamics & Exemplary Security
An essential argument for the small Mercedes-Benz is offered by the US Congress in 1975 with the additional tightening of the “Clear Air Act” launched in 1970. The modification stipulates that, from mannequin yr 1985 on, the fleet consumption of a producer could not exceed 8.3 litres per 100 kilometers. Within the essential export market of the USA, a compact
Mercedes-Benz could make a decisive contribution to attaining this purpose – amongst different issues with subtle aerodynamics. In truth, at its market launch in 1982, the 201 mannequin collection has the most effective drag coefficient of all Mercedes-Benz saloons with cW = 0.34.
The constant light-weight building of the brand new compact class is in no way to be achieved on the expense of energetic and passive passenger security. Quite the opposite, the physique of the W 201 turns into a mannequin for different Mercedes-Benz mannequin collection in some areas. This contains the roof construction with the roof rails going through outwards.
For the primary time, a fork service construction fabricated from high-strength sheet metallic is launched, whose excessive rigidity offers for outlined deformation in crashes and in addition results in a weight discount of eight kilograms.
Progressive Tech, Timeless Design, Vast Vary of Engines
The rear axle design is especially groundbreaking for the chassis. This multi-link rear axle bears its identify as a result of 5 tie-rods organized in a exactly outlined place to one another in area information every rear wheel individually. Observe, camber, monitor width change, start-up and brake anti-dive help may be decided independently of one another.
This optimally managed wheel steering largely compensates for lateral and longitudinal forces in all driving circumstances. This avoids undesirable steering actions of the wheel and ensures very balanced dealing with.
On the entrance, a damping strut entrance axle operates with brake anti-dive help is guided by particular person triangular wishbones. It ensures good straight-line stability and creates area underneath the bonnet with a low general peak.
The clear design of the 201 collection is created underneath the management of chief designer Bruno Sacco and is considerably influenced by Peter Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer’s maxim: “Even a Child-Benz has to appear to be a Mercedes-Benz, however not like a scaled-down S-Class.”
Trying again, the designer explains: “Even after 40 years, this Mercedes-Benz doesn’t appear to be a basic automotive. The car, with its design, remains to be splendidly on the street immediately.” Basic automotive lovers see it the identical method: Costs for well-maintained automobiles within the collection have been rising for years.
The primary compact class provides engines for nearly all necessities: The carburettor variant of the primary 190 in 1982 produces 66 kW (90 hp), the 190 E geared up with petrol injection 90 kW (122 hp). After that, the engine vary is repeatedly expanded.
In 1983, the 190 D (53 kW/72 hp) appeares, the “whisper diesel” with sound-absorbing engine encapsulation. The collection of profitable sixteen-valve engines begins in 1984 with the 190 E 2.3-16 (136 kW/185 hp), which is changed in 1988 by the 190 E 2.5-16 (143 kW/195 hp).
In 1989 and 1990, the homologation fashions 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution and 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II come into being for motorsport. In 1992, the final yr of manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz presents the AVANTGARDE variations of the 190 E 1.8, 190 E 2.3 and 190 D 2.5 as engaging particular fashions with pearl-effect paintwork, amongst different issues. They supply impetus for individualization within the high-volume phase.
Data and motorsport successes
The 190 E 2.3-16 units three long-distance driving world information on the Nardò check monitor in southern Italy in 1983. In 1985 it’s authorised for motorsport (homologated) and first used within the French Touring Automobile Championship. Within the 1986 German Touring Automobile Championship (DTM), Volker Weidler is runner-up within the drivers’ standings with a 190 E 2.3-16 technically supported by AMG.
In 1988, Mercedes-Benz decides to return to motorsport, and from 1991, the brand new Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, Norbert Haug, bundles the racing improvement of the 190 E 2.5-16 EVO II at AMG. After victories in earlier years, the EVO II takes the highest three locations within the DTM in 1992 with Klaus Ludwig, Kurt Thiim and Bernd Schneider, whereas Mercedes-Benz defends its victory within the producers’ classification. In 1993, Roland Asch is runner-up for the second time with the 190 E “Class 1.”
Pictures: Mercedes-AMG
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