Mercedes-Benz Compact Sedan · 190E

W201

Compact Mercedes-Benz — the baby Benz revolution.

Production
1982–1993
Built
1,774,220
Body
Sedan
Chassis
W201
Mercedes-Benz Compact Sedan (W201)

The W201 190E was the Baby Benz — the compact saloon Mercedes-Benz built to defend its entry-level territory against the BMW 3 Series and Audi 80, and in doing so, changed what the brand could mean.

Launched in 1982, the 190 brought multi-link rear suspension, careful aerodynamics, and a range from frugal diesel to the Cosworth-developed 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 models — plus the homologation Evolution and Evolution II specials. It was smaller than a W123, but it was every bit a Mercedes-Benz in structure and intent.

Some 1,774,220 W201s were built between 1982 and 1993.

W201 interior
Cabin details of the W201, as preserved in period photography.

Every model.

23 model designations across 1982–1993 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the W201.

ModelLata modeloweZbudowanoPodwozieSilnikSkrzynia biegówRazem
190 D1984–198811.1983–08.1988201.122601.911716.213452,806
190 D1989–199309.1988–08.1993201.122601.911716.213uwzględnione powyżej
190 D 2.21984–198511.1983–08.1985201.122601.921716.21310,560
190 D 2.51986–198806.1985–08.1988201.126602.911717.411147,502
190 D 2.51989–199309.1988–08.1993201.126602.911717.411uwzględnione powyżej
190 D 2.5 Turbo1986–198802.1986–08.1988201.128602.961722.41320,915
190 D 2.5 Turbo1989–199309.1988–08.1993201.128602.961717.437uwzględnione powyżej
1901983–198410.1982–09.1984201.022102.921716.21235,021
1901985–198810.1984–08.1988201.023102.924716.21683,540
1901989–199109.1988–01.1991201.023102.924716.216uwzględnione powyżej
190 E1983–198810.1982–08.1988201.024102.962716.212638,180
190 E1989–199009.1988–01.1991201.024102.962716.216uwzględnione powyżej
190 E 1.81990–199303.1990–08.1993201.018102.910716.217173,354
190 E 2.01991–199301.1991–08.1993201.024102.962716.216uwzględnione powyżej
190 E 2.3198409.1983–09.1984201.024102.961716.212186,610
190 E 2.3198509.1984–09.1985201.028102.961717.412uwzględnione powyżej
190 E 2.31986–198809.1985–08.1988201.028102.985717.412uwzględnione powyżej
190 E 2.31989–199309.1988–08.1993201.028102.985717.412uwzględnione powyżej
190 E 2.3-161985–198809.1984–06.1988201.034102.983717.40419,487
190 E 2.5-161989–199307.1988–06.1993201.035102.990717.4045,743
190 E 2.5-16 Evolution198903.1989–05.1989201.036102.991502
190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II199005.1990–07.1990201.036102.992uwzględnione powyżej
190 E 2.61986–198804.1986–08.1988201.029103.942717.435 · 722.409104,907
190 E 2.61989–199309.1988–08.1993201.029103.942717.432uwzględnione powyżej

* Opublikowana liczba produkcji obejmuje każdą serię tego modelu; źródło nie rozbija jej dalej.

W201 side profile
Studio profile of the W201 — the proportions that defined this chassis.

Year by year.

The engines, facelift details and homologation specials that define the 190 range.

  1. 1982
    • The 190 and fuel-injected 190 E were presented on 8 December as Mercedes-Benz’s new compact model line.
    • The W201 introduced the five-link independent rear suspension later adopted by larger Mercedes-Benz models.
  2. 1983
    • The 190 D introduced the encapsulated OM601 diesel powertrain for reduced exterior noise.
    • The 190 E 2.3-16 made its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show.
  3. 1985
    • The five-cylinder 190 D 2.5 joined the range in May.
    • The 190 E 2.3 and six-cylinder 190 E 2.6 were presented at the Frankfurt motor show.
  4. 1987
    • The 190 D 2.5 Turbo joined with the turbocharged OM602 five-cylinder diesel.
  5. 1988
    • The September facelift added lower body cladding, deeper bumpers and a redesigned interior.
    • ABS became standard across the range.
    • The enlarged 190 E 2.5-16 replaced the 2.3-16.
  6. 1989
    • The 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution homologation model debuted with widened arches and a prominent rear wing.
    • Production of the Evolution was limited to 502 cars.
  7. 1990
    • The fuel-injected 190 E 1.8 replaced the carburetted 190 in the German range.
    • The 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II added 17-inch wheels and a larger adjustable rear wing.
    • Production of the Evolution II was limited to 502 cars.
  8. 1992
    • The Rosso, Azzurro and Verde Avantgarde editions formed a 4,600-car final special series.
  9. 1993
    • W201 production ended at Sindelfingen in February and at Bremen in August.
    • The W202 C-Class replaced the 190 range.
W201 rear three-quarter view
Rear three-quarter view of the W201.