Model history of the C-Class

Innovation as a tradition

•	Particularly quiet "whisper diesel" (W 201)
•	Four-valve technology and common-rail (W 202)
•	Extremely economical power-diesel (W 204)

27 years ago, with the model 190, Mercedes-Benz laid the foundations for what is now its best-selling model series: the C-Class. To date, a total of around 6.6 million C-Class Saloons, Estates and Sports Coupés have been delivered to customers.

When the 190 was developed, the engineers were already subject to strict target specifications that are still valid today. They had to reconcile consumption-related criteria such as low weight and good aerodynamics with the high Mercedes standards governing occupant safety, handling stability, comfort and quality. Innovations in diesel technology in particular have always had a decisive influence on the success story of the 190 and the C-Class. An overview of the model history:

"Refreshingly unconventional": the Mercedes 190 (1982 – 1993)

When Mercedes-Benz presented the model 190 in 1982, it was very soon nicknamed the "Baby-Benz". The Saloon (W 201-series) was the first in a new model series positioned below the E, S and SL-Class, and known in-house as the 
"compact class". The designer responsible for its straight lines and distinct 
wedge-shape with subtle light-breaking edges was Bruno Sacco. "A refreshingly unconventional, modern car which can be expected to capture the enthusiasm of new and especially young buyers", Neue Züricher Zeitung wrote on 22 December 1982.

The car also transferred other Mercedes values such as a passion for technical 
innovation to the mid-series. Accordingly the W 201 was given a multi-link independent rear suspension, a weight-saving construction using high-strength steels, an aerodynamically exemplary bodyshell and outstanding passive safety features. 

The 190-series also set new standards where the engines were concerned: in the diesel sector with an encapsulated unit that soon earned itself the sobriquet "whisper-diesel" in the model 190 D (from 1983). This completely newly developed four-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 1997 cc was half as noisy as comparable drive units. In conjunction with the then respectable output of 
53 kW / 72 hp and good fuel economy, this made the new diesel an all-round, 
innovative success.

New name: the first C-Class (1993 – 2000)

The 202-series was the first to bear the name C-Class. The Saloon (W 202) was launched in 1993. The C-Class followed the tradition of the 190, but offered more interior space and comfort with similar exterior dimensions. At comparable 
prices, the standard appointments were also much more extensive. In 1996 the range was extended with the Estate (S 202), which offered exemplary spaciousness for this vehicle class.

The 202-series had a decisive effect on the further development of car diesel 
engines at Mercedes-Benz: it was in the C-Class that four-valve diesels for 
passenger cars first celebrated their world premiere. This was followed by the first turbodiesel car with four-valve technology and intercooling. 

In 1997 the diesel engine with common-rail direct injection (CDI) celebrated its debut in the C-Class. "Its forte is refinement", the motoring magazine mot said of the Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDI in January 1998: "Common-rail separates the injection from the pressure stage, and the pre-injection made possible as a result 
compensates the ignition delay – which spells the end of noisy direct injection."
Three body variants: the second C-Class (2000 – 2007)

In March 2000, the second-generation C-Class looked out at the world through dynamically designed twin headlamps. Its attractive appearance provided a platform for a whole raft of technical innovations. This packaging characterised both the Saloon (W203) and the Estate presented in 2001, as well as the new Sports Coupé added to the C-Class family in autumn 2000.

Standard equipment included future-oriented technical innovations that had 
previously only been available in the top Mercedes models: windowbags, adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, Headlamp Assist, a multifunction steering wheel, a central display and optical fibres are just a few examples. The technical innovations that made their debut in this generation of the C-Class included the automated SEQUENTRONIC six-speed transmission.

More individuality: the third C-Class (since 2007)

Safety, comfort and agility were the outstanding attributes of the current 
C-Class launched on 31 March 2007. This is the first Mercedes saloon in which the design and equipment lines have their own, distinctive front ends. 

In addition to the driving refinement typical of a Mercedes, all model variants 
feature the latest technical highlights. These include e.g. the AGILITY CONTROL package with situation-related damper control, the Intelligent Light System with five different lighting functions and the PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system. From autumn 2008 a completely newly designed generation of diesel engines also became available for the Saloon (W 204) and the Estate (S 204), which introduced in September 2007. These used 4th-generation common-rail technology with a rail pressure of 2000 bar, as well as a new piezo-electric injection concept with direct nozzle needle control for more flexible injection timing, and therefore smoother running. The first model was the C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition, which developed 150 kW / 204 hp and a torque of 500 Nm from a displacement of 2.2 litres. Despite its outstanding performance, the Prime Edition consumes an average of only 5.2 litres of fuel (NEDC) per 100 kilometres (CO2 emissions: 138 g/km). 

Contacts:
Wolfgang Zanker, tel.: +49 711-17-75847, wolfgang.zanker@daimler.com
Frank Bracke, tel.: +49 711 17-75852, frank.bracke@daimler.com
Norbert Giesen, tel.: +49 711-17-76422, norbert.giesen@daimler.com

Website: more news is available at: www.media.daimler.com