1991 Mercedes-Benz 180E Sedan

Description

One of the most significant new models of the modern era, the Mercedes-Benz 190 (known by the internal code W201) was launched in 1982 to critical and commercial acclaim.  Styled under the direction of Bruno Sacco, the 190 was engineered to the same standards as the bigger E-Class and S-Class models, heralding a new era of compact luxury motoring.  A wide range of drivetrain options were made available, initially with a 2-litre petrol engine sold in either carburettor or more powerful fuel-injected versions, along with a diesel and it was one of the last Mercedes-Benz passenger cars sold with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.  Heeding calls for more power, Daimler Benz added a 2.3-litre model (initially for the North American market) in September 1983 and two years later a 2.6-litre six was added to the model line-up, with the ‘Sportline’ suspension and interior upgrades also available.  The real hero of the W201 series was the Cosworth-developed 190E 2.3-16 with a light alloy cylinder head, four-valves per-cylinder and twin overhead camshafts, a dogleg five-speed gearbox and full body kit.  This led to the 190E 2.5-16 and ultimately the limited production Evo 1 and wild Evo 2 versions designed to homologate the 190 for the hugely popular DTM series.  With the luxury car tax still putting the 190E beyond the reach of most Australian buyers, Mercedes-Benz added the significantly cheaper 180E Limited Edition.  Around 30 per cent cheaper than the 190E, the 180E was sold between October 1991 and March 1994 with more basic trim and equipment levels but retained all the important safety and advanced engineering features that made the W201 so popular.   Powered by a 1.8-litre version of the M102 four-cylinder engine, the 180E retained the multi-link independent rear suspension, dual circuit power-assisted disc brakes all round, air conditioning and a unique cloth interior.  Putting Three-Pointed Star ownership within reach of a new breed of buyers, the 180E is now an affordable and practical classic Mercedes-Benz compact sedan, a car that can still be daily driven with ease.