1982 Mercedes-Benz 190 w201 development - design, testing, pre-production

The public and the press were looking towards December 8, 1982 with great expectations, when the compact-class saloons Type 190 and 190 E were presented. These models did not replace previous types, but completed the traditional Mercedes-Benz passenger car program by a third main line. The new range of models was characterised by more compact measures, reduced weight and increased economy without making any compromises as to handling performance, safety and reliability.

Minimised energy consumption was reached by using high-strength sheet steel and other weight- reducing materials as well as by aerodynamic optimisation. Passive safety had been the reason for providing series 126 with a forked beam in the front end. With this design principle also the compact-class vehicles fulfilled the criterion of an asymmetric head-on impact with 40 % overlapping and 55 kph. Thus the 190 models were absolutely as safe as the big S-Class saloons.

Excellent handling performance was made possible by newly developed front and rear axle constructions. The damper strut front axle with individual A-arm suspension and anti-dive device guarantees a good straight-running stability. Its low overall height created favourable conditions in the engine compartment. A revolutionary novelty was the multilink rear suspension, in which each rear wheel is led by an independent control arm. This optimal wheel control largely compensates lateral and longitudinal forces at all driving conditions, thus avoiding unwanted steering movements of the wheel. Further advantages of this innovative construction are its low weight and the little space it takes.

#w201 #mercedes190 #development #oldbenz
video © Daimler AG

[araujofi]

Automated robot factory on 70's, digital laser scanning on 70's, 3D rendered model on 70's. Oh Germany how I love you.

[soundseeker]

Timeless elegant design still looks good today. No silly gimmicks or unnecessary spoilers and vents. Just pure understated class.

[maxwell]

The 190d was my first car. Given to me by my father after it was our family car for many years. He had it imported from portugal. By the time i was ready to move on to my next car it had 280k miles on it and was running great. it ended up being sold to another young man who converted it into into a bio diesel 190. That was 4 years ago and im confident that its still going strong today. Much love for the 190!

[leart]

my first car that i drove.. a masterpiece, extremely well built.. here in Albania we still have a lot of those cars still going strong ..
sadly Mercedes doesn't make cars like this anymore.. nothing produced today will last this long..

[connectorxp]

Who can dislike a video about a masterpiece of German engineering?

[abdelhamidcherragui]

I knew a guy who got this car second hand in the early 90s. He drove the car daily and maintained the car regularly. The car outlived him and it is now being driven by his son.

[مالكالمطر-ظث]

Mercedes The most amazing car ... All respect for This car.

[michaeljoiner]

I have been driving my 190 2.2L diesel since 1987. Engine has had no work needed: great compression. Maintenance was designed to be easy. Amazing suspension, handling, brakes, fuel economy. Great quality of interior materials. Third auto transmission is the price to pay however, for my 300, 000 miles (so far). The best commuter car ever built, I feel.

[joebrito]

I love Bruno Sacco era Mercedes-Benz, W201 and W124 were ahead of their time.

[BiTDI_Micha]

Der 190er hat mir schon immer gefallen. Unserer bekommt dieses Jahr endlich sein H-Kennzeichen. Immer wieder schön anzusehen.

[bomberman]

My father 190D done 1.5milion km until the motor head got too much corroded and start consuming water/oil. That engine still works if the head got a rectification.

[alimirza]

Respect! Been a long time Mercedes fan. Love the subtitles. The Best or Nothing!

[doalwa]

Bin absolut kein Mercedes-Fan, aber dieses Auto war einfach nur unschlagbar gut. Die rollenden Computer von heute wird in 20 Jahren niemand mehr fahren, mit einem 190er kann man sich auch heute noch sehen lassen.

[АндрейЛ-бй]

Это было бесподобное время, когда практически любой автопроизводитель, делал действительно надежный автомобиль заботясь о покупателе. Но Mercedes был конечно как всегда вне конкуренции!

[МихаилИванов-вв]

Всем владельцам Mercedes здоровья и благополучия ! 👍😎 Были W201, W140, теперь W124, 86 г "рождения".

[consul]

Amazing cars I have just purchased my 3rd after making the mistake earlier in the year buying a newer c200 broke down after 6 months so back to the 190s just the most solid and reliable every day car. So comfortable.

[ЕржанВолк-кп]

Хоть я не понимал но смотрел и восхищался инженерам уважение

[КонстантинИванов-пм]

Мой любимый автомобиль:-)Шесть лет владения им приносят только радость.

[tkracing]

Still love this car <3 one of my favourite/dream car !

[Kussler]

Now I see why some rumours say the development of just the rear axle of the w201 alone cost ~ 100 Million DM, an insane amount back in those days. The rear axle was called "Raumlenkerachse" which was and still is very special. The 5-link suspension allows the wheels to travel only in an up and down fashion, so the caster-, camber., and toe-alignments stay the same in each possible suspension-travel postition, which ensures excellent handling.