Today marks 35 years since the Mercedes-Benz 190 gave rise to the C-Class saga

Some vehicles have marked a before and after in automotive history, and their legacy has been so great that today the saga that that classic began is still alive. Some models undoubtedly stand out more than others, but if their successors still build on the first one, that is a good sign. We can see this with the Mercedes-Benz 190, a saloon launched in 1982 which, after 35 years, still has its descendants among us.

In the eighties the German brand sought to broaden its customer base and therefore decided to create a more affordable vehicle that would still offer all the benefits of a Mercedes. The 190 lived alongside the all-powerful S-Class, the E-Class and the brand’s sports models. The W201, the designation the 190 received, quickly found a place within the star family, and the public loved it.

This model reached the market with a petrol engine producing 90 CV and, later, the 190 E variant was introduced, delivering 122 CV. In this way the price ranges and engine options gradually expanded over time, and its potential buyers had a wide range of choices.

But the 190’s engine line-up did not stop there. Mercedes also considered buyers who needed a safe and modern saloon that was efficient in terms of consumption. This is how the 190 D was born, the diesel variant of the entry-level Mercedes of the time. This version had 72 CV, sufficient power at the time, but even so the company decided to increase it later on. It was in 1986 that the 190 2.5 D was presented, producing 122 CV to match the petrol variant.

Even so, Mercedes did not stop at that point. Over time the 190 2.3 16 E arrived, with a 16-valve engine delivering 185 CV of power, making it one of the most powerful vehicles in its segment. The 190 with this engine achieved several records, among them a top speed of 250 km/h. Later came the 190 2.5 16 Evolution II variants, with 235 CV and a much more aggressive and sporty look.

But engineering is not the only reason the 190 became a great car, its outstanding safety also contributed. The W201 has always enjoyed a great reputation in this respect, thanks to the robustness provided by its bodywork and the suspension specially designed for this model. Little by little it has gained fame in the motoring world, and today it is considered a “young classic” but it was so revolutionary that the German firm decided to continue the saga under the name C-Class.