Mercedes-Benz W201
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Also called | Kaengsaeng 88 (North Korea, 1990–94, German CKDs) Pyeonghwa 410 (North Korea, 1994–02, Indian CKDs) |
| Production | December 1982 – April 1993 1,874,668 built |
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| Designer | Peter Pfeiffer, Bruno Sacco (1979) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact executive car (D) |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,665 mm (104.9 in) |
| Length | 1982–88: 4,420 mm (174.0 in) 1988–93: 4,448 mm (175.1 in) |
| Width | 1982–88: 1,678 mm (66.1 in) 1988–93: 1,690 mm (66.5 in) |
| Height | 1982–88: 1,390 mm (54.7 in) 1988–93: 1,375 mm (54.1 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,110–1,300 kg (2,447–2,866 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202) |
The Mercedes-Benz W201 was the first compact executive car from Mercedes-Benz introduced in 1982, positioned below the E-Class—and marketed under variants of the Mercedes-Benz 190 nameplate.
The W201 featured a patented rear 5-link suspension, subsequently used in E and C class models, front and rear anti-roll bars, anti-dive and anti-squat geometry—as well as available airbags, ABS brakes and seatbelt pretensioners.
The W201 enjoyed strong sales in Europe but fared poorly in the United States. Series production ended 13 April 1993 after the manufacture of approximately 1.8 million examples. The 190 and its variants were succeeded in the compact executive car segment by the C-Class, a newly created nameplate.
Mercedes spent over £600 million researching and developing the 190 and subsequently said it was 'massively over-engineered'. It marked a new venture for Mercedes-Benz, finally giving it a new smaller model to compete with the likes of the BMW 3 Series. The W201-based 190 was introduced in November 1982, and was sold in right-hand drive for the UK market from September 1983.
Local red tape in Bremen (which produced commercial vehicles at the time) prevented Daimler-Benz from building the 190 there, so production was started in Sindelfingen at a capacity of just 140,000 units per year. Eventually after just the first year, Bremen was cleared for production of the 190, replacing its commercial vehicle lines, and there the 190 was built with the first running modifications since release.
The 190 E (E for Einspritzung, or Fuel Injection) model uses the Bosch KE-Jetronic Multi-Point Fuel Injection to meter fuel instead of the carburetor of 190 models. Thanks to their fuel injection system, 190 E models made more power and were more fuel efficient when compared to non-fuel injected 190 models.
In 1982, the first available models were the 190 and 190 E. Each was fitted with an M102 1,997 cc displacement engine. The 190 was fitted with an M102.921 90 hp (67 kW) engine and the 190 E fitted with an M102.962 122 hp (91 kW) engine. In September 1983, the 190 E 2.3 (2,299 cc) was released for the North American market only (although a 190 E 2.3 appeared in other countries later), fitted with a 113 hp (84 kW) M102.961 engine. This reduction in power was due to the emissions standards in the North American market at the time. The intake manifold, camshaft, and fuel injection system were refined in 1984, and the engine produced 122 hp (91 kW). The carbureted 190 was revised in 1984 as well, increasing its horsepower rating to 105 hp (78 kW). 1984 also saw the arrival of the 2.3-16 "Cosworth."
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