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StarLight Presents the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 aka "baby benz" which is turned into a race car by AMG. The Cosworth powered four door sedan, is considered one of the tri-star's best models, ever.
Ayrton Senna won with this car at Nurburgring Champion Race in 1984 against F1 legends, Niki Lauda, Alain prost, John Surtees, Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, James Hunt, Alan Jones, Jacques Laffite, Phill Hill, Denny Hulme, Elio de Angelis, Carlos Reutemann, Keke Rosberg, Jody Scheckter, Klaus Ludwig, Hans Herrmann, Udo Schultz, Manfred Schurti, and John Watson. Niki Lauda and Alain Prost.
After dropping out of Rally racing in the 70s, Mercedes was looking to get back on the trail with their Cosworth powered rig. Unfortunately, during that same time, Audi and their turbocharged, four-wheel-drive Quattro was dominating the sport.
Realizing that they couldn't be competitive, they opted instead for the smooth roads of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (the German Touring Car Series). When they did enter the series, they bumped heads with another German automaker, BMW, who was riding high with their own compact performer, the M3.
But not before an unknown racer by the name of Ayrton Senna hopped behind the wheel at the Nürburgring. At the second public demo of the car, Mercedes ran a race consisting of all Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16s, driven by current and past Formula 1 drivers. After the young Senna placed first two legends were born.
16v Differences
Due to their performance status, the 16 valve cars were in some areas very different from the other 190 models. The body kit on the 2.3 16 and 2.5 16 reduced the drag coefficient to 0.32, one of the lowest cd values on a four door saloon of the time, whilst also reducing lift at speed. The steering ratio was quicker and the steering wheel smaller than that on other 190s, whilst the fuel tank was enlarged from 55 to 70 L.
The getrag 5-speed gearbox was unique to the 16 valve and featured a "GT" gear pattern with 'dog-leg' first gear, left and down from neutral. This meant that the remaining 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th gears were in a simple H pattern allowing fast and easy selection. The gearchange quality was, however, noted as "notchy, baulky", criticisms also levelled at the E30 BMW M3 which shared the same gearbox. An oil cooler was fitted to ensure efficient oil cooling for the inevitable track use many of these cars were destined for.
The strictly four-seater interior had Recaro sports seats with strong side bolsters for front and rear passengers. 3 extra dials - an oil temperature gauge, stopwatch and voltmeter - were included in the centre console. The, 190E 2.3-16 was available in only two colours, Blue-Black metallic, and Smoke Silver (which looks gold). The introduction of the 2.5-16 brought along two extra colours, Almandine Red and Astral Silver. All 2.3-16 valve 190 models are fitted with a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) as standard.
They were also available with Mercedes' ASD system which was standard equipment on the 2.5-16v. The ASD is an electronically controlled, hydraulically locking differential which activates automatically when required. The electronic control allows varied amounts of differential lock from the standard 15% right up to 100%. It is not atraction control system however, and can only maximize traction rather than prevent wheel spin. Activation of the ASD system is indicated by an illuminating amber triangle in the speedometer.
The suspension on 16 valve models is very different to the standard 190 (w201). As well as being lower and stiffer, it has quicker dampers, larger anti-roll bars, harder bushings and hydraulic Self-Levelling Suspension (SLS) on the rear. This allows the rear ride height to remain constant even when the car is fully loaded. At the inauguration of the new, shorter Nürburgring in 1984, a race with identical cars was held, with former and current F1 pilots at the wheel. A rather unknown young driver named Ayrton Sennatook First place in that race. Private Teams such as AMG later entered the 2.3-16 in touring cars races, especially the DTM. In the late 1980s, the 2.5-16 (never released in the United States) raced many times, against the similar BMW M3 and even the turbocharged Ford Sierra Cosworth
Specifications
Engine: In-line 4-cylinder, 2299cc
Power: 182 bhp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 173 lb ft @ 4500 rpm
0-62 mph: 7.8 sec (claimed)
Top speed: 144 mph (claimed)
Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil springs, dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension: Multi-link, coil springs, dampers, anti-roll bar
Brakes: Ventilated discs, 284 mm front, 258 mm rear, ABS
Wheels: 7x 15 inch front and rear
Tyres: 205/55 VR15 front and rear
Weight (kerb): 1230 kg
Power-to-weight: 150 bhp/ton
THE OTHER SENNA CARS ARE HERE:
THE OTHER MERCEDES ARE HERE
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