Performance Review: Mercedes 190 Series E 2.3-16 - [1987]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes 190 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes 190 Series E 2.3-16 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1987. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Mercedes 190 Series has a 2299cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 190 Series shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 190 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1230 kgs (2711 lbs) this makes the Mercedes 190 Series E 2.3-16 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes 190 Series shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 2299cc 16V St4 engine produces 175 bhp (130 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 170 lb-ft (230.4 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes 190 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works (167.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes 190 Series.

The Mercedes 190 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 142.2 bhp per ton and 138.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1987 190 Series competing with the 2008 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works (167.2 bhp per ton) or the 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (167.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes 190 Series generating around 138.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera (163.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (163.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.1 secs, this made the Mercedes 190 Series E 2.3-16 as fast as the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the or the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs). This Mercedes 190 Series E 2.3-16 is also faster than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the and the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 190 Series and the 2008 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes 190 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.71 secs @ 87.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works (15.64 secs), the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 (15.64 secs), and the 2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series 2 (15.64 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1987 version of the Mercedes 190 Series E 2.3-16 has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 1987 190 Series equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1987 Mercedes 190 Series E 2.3-16 then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (153 mph).

Related Links:

1987 190 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison