I was only the second owner of this Mercedes 190E. The original owner had this car in Saudi Arabia so the car had hardly ever seen winter roads, snow or salt. Fun to drive and fast too!

Progressive, sporty, compact.

The Mercedes 190E 2.3-16.

The compact 190 models have already created a lively new dimension in Mercedes motoring. The dynamic qualities of this series have been developed further still, resulting in an exceptionally sporty model. All-round superiority is the hallmark of the 190 E 2.3-16 -in sports-car handling and performance, in styling, appointments, quality and value. Almost casually, it set a number of world endurance records while still in the course of development.

This sports version of the compact series is exclusive in the fullest sense of the word; stylish and individualistic, designed for motorists who want to enjoy progressive, mature Mercedes engineering in an exceptionally dynamic form.

This is the brightest, sharpest, most "agile" Mercedes ever made. And at the same time its high performance, exclusivity and genuinely progressive engineering are combined perfectly with all the traditional Mercedes qualities. A truly exceptional car, yet one which also meets all the demands of ordinary, everyday motoring.

Start the engine and you accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds. And with a clear road ahead you can be travelling -within a few seconds - at speeds well in excess of 200 km/h -largely because of a low power-to-weight ratio and outstanding aerodynamics.

Even on tricky, winding roads you can still make full use of the performance. With the multi-link independent rear suspension and a whole range of additional features, all geared to fast driving, you remain relaxed and in command of the exceptional power-reserves at all times. And the body that slips through the air, with a drag coefficient of just 0.32, is breathtakingly good-looking too. The spoilers and sideskirts are original Mercedes designs - technically and aerodynamically tailor-made for this model.

"Formula 190 E 2.3-16" stands for perfected engineering and styling in a compact, high-performance, car. With all the features of a genuine thoroughbred Mercedes -from the further-refined safety system (e.g. standard anti-lock braking system and electronic belt tensioners on both front seats) and the generous interior space to a range of appointments in which all-round high quality is matched only by stylish practicality.

The high-performance power unit with the big heart.

The power heart of the 190 E 2.3-16 is a special version of the advanced 2.3 litre 4-cylinder engine, fitted with a light-alloy cylinder head and twin overhead camshafts. Its most significant feature is that it has sixteen valves, four per cylinder.

With electronic ignition and a specially-designed five-speed manual gearbox, this unit offers a maximum output of 136 kW (185 DIN/hp) at 6200/min, with built-in durability and astounding economy. Most striking of all however is the overall character of its performance. Unlike turbo-charged engines, where full power is only developed at higher engine speeds, the 16-valve concept ensures optimum-cylinder charging throughout the entire engine speed range and thus full use of the power - hence performance which is as safe as it is exhilarating since you can judge at any particular moment the exact amount of power that is available.

With electronic/mechanical injection, of course - "electronic" for precision and "mechanical" to get you home should the electronics ever fail.

What do the 16 valves do for this engine? With two inlet and two exhaust valves per cylinder, "breathing" capacity is vastly increased, compared with the standard eight-valve version. This means that a greater quantity of fuel/air mixture is fed to the cylinders, so resulting in increased power output. At the same time the two outlet valves (in conjunction with a large cross-section, low back-pressure exhaust system) ensure quick removal of the exhaust gases.

Valve-timing, the length and arrangement of the inlet and exhaust lines, the position of the spark plugs and low friction play important roles as well.

In conjunction with the higher compression ratio (10.5 :1) and excellent thermal characteristics, these factors result in maximum efficiency, outstanding fuel-energy utilisation and hence amazingly low consumption.

Unrivalled value for money.

Even this exclusive, sporty car offers the maximum all-round economy for which Mercedes are justly famous. It is Mercedes philosophy to pursue genuine technological progress, not visual cosmetics. Exhilarating, dynamic driving should not be bought at the risk of inappropriately high running costs or impaired reliability.

The cornerstones of this rational, comprehensive philosophy are value-retention and functional dependability. The quality of materials and manufacture, particularly important in a car which will be subjected to above-average stress, are reflected in every detail.

Finally, all the elements in this car - from the front air-dam and the stabilizers to the special cylinder-head - are planned into the design right from the beginning and are built to Mercedes specifications.

The remarkably low fuel consumption for a car of such exceptional performance is attributable to full utilisation of its engine power, outstanding aerodynamics and reduced weight, in spite of the extra equipment.

Easy-to-operate, logically designed controls and generous space constitute a driving position that actively fosters totally relaxed concentration, for fast driving and in difficult road or traffic conditions.

Our consistent pursuit of ergonomic design often requires us to be bold enough to refrain from following current "chic" trends. Thus the whole area within the driver's vision is practical in function and logical in arrangement - one of the reasons why its appearance is so attractive. It is this consistency in the styling of the interior which so effectively creates an atmosphere of individuality and exclusivity.

The instruments and gauges concentrate on the driver's actual needs. Distracting lights, or dials which could be useful perhaps no more than once a month will not be found in the 190 E 2.3-16. In a car where there is so much emphasis on performance, superficial cosmetics would be out of place.

The circular dials provide direct, easy-to grasp information and are another product of continuous Daimler-Benz research, on the road and in the driving simulator. The standard rev counter is combined with a clock, in a central position in front of the driver. The dashboard console also contains warning lights that indicate when engine oil, coolant or screen-wash fluid need topping up. The centre console beneath the dashboard contains three circular gauges; an analogue voltmeter, an analogue engine oil temperature gauge and digital stop watch. Above the windscreen is the interior light, fitted with a delay switch. A separate reading light, with its own switch, is included in the same unit and focuses a concentrated, cone-shaped light-beam onto the front passenger seat.

The neat leather-clad steering wheel of the 16-valve model - with its impact absorber and padded boss - has all the characteristic Mercedes safety steering features. The leather-covered gear-lever is ideally positioned for fast, accurate changing.

And returning to the subject of improved vision (which means improved safety) a word about the central windscreen wiper; the swept area, 75% of the screen, is rivaled by very few other cars, and because of its aerodynamic positioning it always operates efficiently, even at high speeds.

Three long-distance world records,
even before the official introduction.

Without the guarantee of long-term reliability, the most exceptional speeds and acceleration are in the long run worthless. High stresses - even in day-to-day use -make sound engineering absolutely essential. The 190 E 2.3-16 is a car that has the courage of its highly individual convictions, that means legendary Mercedes robustness and reliability through and through - as was proved impressively, long before it went into production.

In August 1983 the car underwent relentless endurance testing on the Nardo circuit in southern Italy. It was driven for over 201 hours without a break, at an average speed of almost 250 km/h, covering a total distance of 50,000 kilometers. The three world records broken in the process and the twelve new international class records set were somewhat irrelevant, although the previous world records for this distance had endured for almost 30 years.

The three test cars, almost identical to those in production, ran without a hitch for nearly nine days of driving at full throttle in temperatures of 40° centigrade.

Unique proof that the 190 E 2.3-16 is indeed a most unusual - and reliable - car.