Mercedes-Benz 190E (W201) History

Compact executive car · 1982–1993

Catalog record

This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.

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History

The W201 (1982–1993), best known as the 190E, was Mercedes' first compact executive car — the 'Baby Benz' — and the direct ancestor of the C-Class.

Its performance halo, the Cosworth-developed 190E 2.3-16 (debuted at the 1983 Frankfurt show) and later 2.5-16, was a homologation-bred sport sedan built to go DTM racing.

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