Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a line of midsize entry-level luxury automobiles produced by Mercedes-Benz. The C-Class was first introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range. It was the most affordable model in the Mercedes lineup until the arrival of the A-Class in 1998. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz factories in the German towns of Sindelfingen and Bremen. The very first C-Class sedan was produced on June 1, 1993 and the second generation C-Class rolled off the assembly line on July 18, 2000.

W202

The C-Class was introduced in 1993, as a competitor to BMW's E36 3 Series, as its predecessor, the 190, had been. The C-Class proved immensely popular, quickly becoming Mercedes-Benz's best-selling class of vehicles worldwide. Much of its popularity was accredited to its affordability. The C-Class sedans were the entry level to the Mercedes-Benz range, and are still the smallest, least expensive sedans offered by Mercedes-Benz. The model also kept the sporty image of the 190 with a smoother and more rounded appearance than lines than the other vehicles produced by Mercedes at the time, its sporty image giving birth to a competition version in the DTM (German Touring Car Championship).

On its debut, the C-Class was the only Mercedes model with a complete lineup of multivalve engines. The new family of four cylinder petrol and Diesel units debuted in the C before extending to the E-Class and the LCV. These ranged from 1.8L to 2.2L, with power beginning at 122PS (90kw/121hp). The C 220 D had 95PS (70kW/94hp), a value that was outstanding for the time, achieving over 40hp/L without recourse to turbocharging. The top of the range was the C 280, the first midsize Mercedes with a six cylinder engine, capable of reaching 193PS (142kW/190hp).

In 1994 and 1995, Mercedes introduced a few novelties in the engine range. The first was a supercharged petrol version, the C 230 Kompressor, using a Roots-type supercharger to generate 193PS (142kW/190hp) at 5300rpm. A new 250 D Turbo was also introduced, with a 20-valve five cylinder engine capable of reaching 150PS (110kW/148hp).