"Supposedly, Mercedes-Benz spent over £600 million researching and developing the 190 and it was subsequently deemed 'over-engineered'. Mercedes-Benz approached British engineering company Cosworth to develop a competitive engine for the rally car. However, cars racing in the championship had to be based on a road-going model, a minimum number of which had been sold to the public, so the 190 was fitted with a detuned version of the Cosworth engine. This high-performance model was known as the 190E 2.3-16 and debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1983. In road-going trim, the 2.3 litre 16-valve engine produced 185bhp with acceleration from 0-62mph in less than eight seconds and a top speed of 143mph. The engine is considered to be remarkably flexible with a very flat torque curve and a wide power band. The Getrag five-speed manual gearbox was unique to the 16-valve and featured a 'racing' gear pattern with a 'dogleg' first gear. An oil cooler was fitted to ensure sufficient oil cooling for the inevitable track use for which many of these cars were destined.
This superb example of this truly iconic model from Mercedes-Benz is presented in metallic red with part leather, part cloth interior. Its interior and bodywork are both in fabulous condition and it also comes with electric windows to the front and rear. The odometer currently shows 75,418 but buyers should note that it had a speedometer change on 4th January 1991 by Caffyns Wessex Ltd in Dorchester at 18,531 miles which is marked in service book. The substantial history file contains its original service book, old MoT test certificates and many old invoices. The present owner (four previous) purchased the car from a motoring journalist and within the car’s history file are many magazines where this particular car has featured, underlining the quality of this entry to the auction at The London Classic Car Show. These cars are terrific to drive and striking to look at. We are informed this car will also come to auction with a new MoT test certificate.
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