Description
We are selling this extremely rare Mercedes-Benz 190E 2. 5-16 Evolution 1 on behalf of a client. Therefore, no warranty is provided.
The Mercedes-Benz 190 2. 3-16
In the 1980s, Mercedes-Benz aimed to create a more youthful brand image. Why? Because they discovered that the average age of a BMW driver was younger than that of a Mercedes-Benz driver. Not by much, just 1. 4 years on average, but still enough to warrant action.
At that time, BMW already had a model range below the 5 Series, while Mercedes-Benz did not have a comparable model beneath the E-Class (the then W123). The goal was to create something truly spectacular. A sporty model with driving dynamics that Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts at the time were desperately seeking. It was also unique to add these characteristics—sportiness and driving dynamics—into the brand's long list of attributes.
The development of the completely new "Raumlenker" rear axle alone took 15 years and cost as much in development funds as what was spent to develop an entirely new model at the time. No less than five control arms per wheel ensured optimal road contact during both sporty and comfort-oriented drives. Initially, it was delivered with the improved 2. 0-liter engine with a carburetor or Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection system. Later, it was expanded to include engine variants of 2. 3, 2. 6, 2. 3-16, with gasoline as the fuel, and 190D, 190D 2. 5, and 190D 2. 5 turbo as diesel variants.
For the sporty top model, the 190E 2. 3-16, Mercedes-Benz sought a partnership with the English company Cosworth, famous for its sporty cylinder heads and engines. The base was the proven 2. 3-liter engine, distributed over four cylinders. The quality and longevity of this combination were tested on the southern Italian Nardo circuit, where three teams (red, white, and green) competed against each other in long-distance races. During these tests, still unbeaten speed records were set with an average speed of 247. 9 km/ h over distances of 25, 000 km, 25, 000 miles, and 50, 000 km. This proved Mercedes-Benz's quality and showed that this new model was also guaranteed to have a long lifespan.
The combination with the Cosworth-developed cylinder head and the in-house designed spoiler package made the 2. 3-16, after a few sporty additions, a true sports sedan. So sporty, in fact, that many racing teams converted the car into a full-fledged race car. So successful was this transformation that it led to Mercedes-Benz's return to motorsport, specifically in the then “king class” of DTM (German Touring Car Championship). With the 190E 2. 3-16 and the later racing variants, the 190E 2. 5-16, 190E 2. 5-16 Evolution, and 190E 2. 5-16 Evolution 2, numerous victories were achieved in various racing categories.
With the so-called EVO2, Mercedes-Benz won the DTM Championship in 1992. The Mercedes-Benz 190, in its various versions, remains a timeless and highly desirable car!
This Evolution 1 is from a collector and enthusiast. It has mostly, and certainly for the past 15 years, been stored indoors. Only 500 units of the Evolution 1 were built as homologation vehicles for the 1989 DTM racing season. All manuals, documentation, and more will be provided with the car.
