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Mercedes-Benz celebrates the 40th anniversary of the first Baby Benz


The Mercedes-Benz product line changed dramatically at the end of 1982. By launching a new entry-level model internally known as the W201 and colloquially as Baby Benz, the Stuttgart-based company made its cars reached a wider audience and significantly increased its annual sales.

Although the first W201 appeared at the end of the production line in December 1982, the idea of ​​expanding Mercedes The scope to the bottom has spread through the company’s research and development division for decades. In 1948, Mercedes developed a two-door car 145 inches long with a Ponton design. It did not reach production. Mercedes tried again in the 1950s: its board gave the green light for a low-end model in 1953, and several prototypes were built, but the project hit a dead end. Had to try a few more times (and pressure from regulators to improve the range average energy saving rating) before W201 became a reality.

In the early 1980s, the boxy W201 looked completely out of place when parked next to a W126 and W123 in a Mercedes showroom. However, in hindsight, it paved the way for later additions to the company’s portfolio. W124 was released in late 1984 (and later became the first generation electronic class) looks like a giant W201, and this angular design language has permeated the R129 generation SL as well as the W140 which ended its career as the first WORLD RANGE. Beauty in the eye of lovebirds; you could easily argue that the W201 is completely unappealing but you could also easily argue that it is characterized by an elegant, relatively simple, pure and functional design.

From the driver’s perspective, the W201 is like a miniature Mercedes sedan. The seats are developed with a focus on comfort, the instrument cluster is clearly legible and most of the controls are grouped on the center console. With that said, moving from W123 to W201 required picking up a new habit: emergencies brake is a lever located on the center console, not the pedal.

In the United States, the W201 made its debut as a 1984 model with two engines available. The cheapest member of the range (thus being the most affordable Mercedes) is the 190E powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder that makes 113 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. -feet, though these numbers have increased to 120 and 136 respectively for 1985. Next is the 190D, which has a naturally aspirated, 2.2-litre, four-cylinder engine. diesel oil the engine develops 72 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission come standard regardless of fuel type, and buyers who don’t want to shift gears can pay extra for a four-speed automatic.

Prices start at $22,850 for the 190E and $22,930 for the 190D, numbers around $65,600 and $65,800 in 2022, respectively. For comparison, volkswagen charge $6,530 (about $18,800 in 2022) for entry level Rabbit that year and a 2022 C-Class starting at $43,550.

The W201 was an instant hit, and its success encouraged Mercedes to launch additional variants in the 1980s. The 1986 model year brought the development of a 16-valve, 167-hp four-cylinder engine. 2.3-liter cylinder and 2.5-liter 5-cylinder diesel engine, 93 horsepower. In 1987, the first six-cylinder powered W201 landed in US showrooms as the 190E 2.6. It uses the W124’s 158 hp inline six. The range also grew across the Atlantic and Mercedes even entered the W201 race to usurp the original, based on the E30. CAR M3.

Gasoline or diesel, four, five or six cylinders, automatic or manual; There are many ways to configure W201. What never changed was the body style: throughout its career the model was only offered as a four-door sedan. Mercedes has experimented with a number of different prototypes, including a pillarless two-door convertible (shown in our gallery), but none have been approved for production.

Most variants of the W201 carry the 190 nameplate (which itself refers to the carburetor engine, followed by the letter “E” to indicate the fuel-injected gasoline engine or followed by the letter “D” to indicate the engine). diesel engine) but there are a few exceptions. In the early 1990s, Mercedes sold a low-end, stripped-down variant of the W201 called the 180E on the Australian market, powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine.

W201 production ended in 1993 after approximately 1.87 million units were produced. The sedan passed the torch for the original Grade, known internally as the W202 and became the first compact Mercedes to be offered as a station wagon. Although the 190 is considered a cheap, powerful and disposable car for decades, it is slowly being sought after by enthusiasts around the world and its value is increasing. Many have been pushed to the ground so finding a clean, well-preserved example is easier said than done.



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