Trailblazer for future-oriented technology and a new design idiom

The Saloon was well ahead of its time, with a safety concept that reflected the results of accident research and already took offset frontal collisions into account. Neither was any other car in this class able to offer an anti-lock braking system, bent tensioners and an airbag, which were available as optional equipment, in the early 1980s. The still unrivalled multi-link independent rear suspension celebrated its world debut in the Mercedes-Benz 190, as did the first high-strength steel alloys which combine minimal weight with maximum strength.

Mercedes-Benz also broke new ground with the Model 190 where design was concerned. The angular, trapezoid form of the bodyshell and unusually high rear end ensured plenty of attention. Mercedes-Benz later transferred these basic lines to other model series – making the “Baby Benz” the pioneer of a new design idiom which characterised saloons bearing the Mercedes star until the early 1990s.

The design concept also reflected the latest technical findings, for the high, tucked-in rear end enabled the engineers to lower the air resistance of the bodyshell considerably. The resulting drag coefficient of 0.33 was 25 percent below the average for all passenger cars at the time.

In this way intelligent lightweight construction and exemplary aerodynamics provided two important prerequisites for a favourable fuel consumption. The Mercedes-Benz 190 with the 66 kW/90 hp four-cylinder carburettor engine had a Euromix petrol consumption of 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres, while the 190 E
(90 kW/122 hp) with the first mechanically/electronically controlled fuel injection system was able to cover 100m kilometres on just 8.3 litres of petrol. In autumn 1983 Mercedes-Benz rounded off the engine range with a newly developed diesel unit. The 190 D (53 kW/72 hp) was happy with 6.6 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

More than two decades later, there are still more than 23,000 examples of the “Baby Benz” on the roads

Many drivers still benefit from the technical perfection and high quality of this Mercedes Saloon to this day. Around 230,000 examples of the Mercedes-Benz 190 are still registered in Germany, and 23,290 that were first registered between 1983 and 1985 are still on the active list at the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). This represents no less than around eight percent of the 190s first registered in that period. According to the KBA, only between 251 and 10,383 examples of other, comparable saloons registered from 1983 to 1985 are still on the active list.

Around 60,000 advance orders for the new C-Class

Like the Mercedes-Benz 190 introduced 25 years ago, the new C-Class sets new trends in design and technology. No other car in this vehicle class is able to offer Mercedes safety innovations such as the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE® and the Intelligent Light System. The new C-Class also asserts its leading position in this market segment with the ADAPTIVE BRAKE system and the situation-related shock absorber control system of the AGILITY CONTROL package. There is a choice of four and six-cylinder engines generating up to
13 percent more output than before, while consuming up to six percent less fuel. Apart from the S-Class, the new C-Class is the only car worldwide to possess an official environmental certificate which confirms the environmentally compatible development of this Mercedes model.

Two weeks before the official market launch, around 60,000 male and female drivers in western Europe alone have already decided in favour of the new C-Class Saloon and placed an order.

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