How the world of fast four-door cars has changed over the past three decades – especially for Mercedes-Benz. Back in the 1980s when the German car manufacturer launched its W201 190, the car quickly became known as the ‘baby Benz’. And the C-Classes that followed, starting with the 202-series in 1993, have proved Mercedes’ volume sellers. Today, Mercedes-Benz executives have been bowled over by the interest shown in their W176 A-Class. In the 1980s, building a hatchback wasn’t high on Mercedes’ agenda, if at all – today, however, such cars are critical to mainstream manufacturers.
So, what do these two cars pictured have in common? The A45 AMG is Mercedes’ most expensive first step on the ladder, a position held by the 190E 2.3-16 from 1984 to 1988. As was the case with the A45 and the regular A-Class range, Mercedes-Benz didn’t wait too long after the launch of the 190 to entice the buying public with a new performance model. In December 1982 the 190/190E range was presented to the world’s media, and by September the following year, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2.3-16 appeared – but its reputation as a fast, compact saloon preceded it.
In August 1983, at the Nardò test facility in southern Italy, the 2.3-16 set no less than three world records and nine class records. These included, to name a few, 25 000 km, 25 000-mile, 50 000km, six-, 12- and 24-hour records.
The A45 AMG can’t lay claim to any world record breaking endurance runs, but it has other impressive stats to its name. Developing 265 kW, it has by far the most powerful, series production, four-cylinder engine in the world.
The 2,0-litre M133 motor has also found its way into the CLA and GLA, and forms the basis of the new 4,0-litre turbocharged V8, in the C63 AMG and the AMG GT.
Firing into the history books
Compared to the A45, the 190E 2.3-16 looks and feels like something from a different planet. Open its solid door and the interior continues along the same 1980s theme. The dash and centre console form a perfect T shape. The small, glossy Momo steering wheel might look out of place to some, but this wheel was actually available from Mercedes-Benz at the time.
As well as looking the part, the steering wheel achieves something else, which we will get to shortly. The 190E’s short bonnet features two creases running from the top corners of the grille. The A45 AMG has a similar design, but the creases are much further apart and continue into the A-pillars. The strong and angular lines of the 190E are even more pronounced and visible on the 16-valve model. The front bumper, side sills, rear bumper and small rear wing look like those on the DTM racing version, which went airborne over kerbs on race circuits in and around Germany during the mid- to late-1980s.
This 1986 2.3-16 has been with its current owner for seven years, and was comprehensively restored because the previous owner drove it on farm roads, somewhere the car has stayed well clear of since the work. Details such as the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center numberplate holder, and the brochures and owner’s manual in the luggage compartment illustrate the fastidious manner in which this collector keeps his cars.
There are few theatrics as the 16-valve engine starts, but it definitely sounds better than the smaller capacity motors in other 190s. The engine was redeveloped by Cosworth engineers and features a light alloy cylinder head with twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Together with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, air bathed injection valves, hydraulically damped engine mounts and an oil cooler, the engine develops 30 kW (figure for a 1986, non catalyst car as pictured) more than the SOHC, 100 kW engine in the 190E 2.3.
Digital versus analogue
As you engage – with very little effort – the dog leg manual’s first gear, you realise you are driving something special. The road flows alongside green cornfields and the joy of using this gearbox is immediately apparent. It doesn’t want to be rushed, but there is great pleasure to be had in the way the gearlever simply clacks straight down from second to third, and then across the gate from third to fourth.
In true Mercedes-Benz fashion, the 2.3-16’s suspension displays perfect composure as it deals with the road. Although this is a sporting saloon, the ride is still comfort oriented, but tauter, with less body roll when you push through corners, partly due to the trick, hydro-pneumatic struts at the rear. The compact steering wheel fits perfectly into my hands, while the quick rack ratio – and the throttle response, for that matter – adds to sporty feeling from behind the wheel.
This 190’s owner agrees. “It is one of my favourite cars to drive in my collection. There is a fantastic balance between the sports suspension and comfort.” The 190E 2.3-16 feels far lighter and more compact than Mercedes’ other models available at the time, but then it does tip the scales at just 1 260 kg.
The A45 AMG, on the other hand, weighs in at 1 555 kg, so it is not exactly lightweight. There are several reasons for this, including the addition of multiple airbags, luxury items like the Comand Online infotainment system, plus a generally more comfortable cabin, a strong body shell and chassis, and of course, a four-wheel drive system.
This specific car is quite possibly one of the lower specification A45 AMGs we have seen. Cars in most of Mercedes’ publicity material featured the optional Edition 1 package, which gives the A45 a more aggressive – and perhaps slightly yobbish – road stance.
The AMG interior is a notch above that found in regular A-Classes – the part leather/part Alcantara AMG steering wheel and embossed gearlever are probably the most obvious additions. Next up are the AMG sports seats and the AMG dials, including the 320 km/h speedometer, which informs you of the serious intent of this little machine.
The 2,0-litre turbocharged engine is connected to an AMG dual-clutch automatic called Speedshift DCT, and power is sent to the front wheels most of the time. During enthusiastic standing starts and cornering, power is spread to the rear axle as well. The AMG powertrain makes this hatchback nothing short of ballistic. Off the line, there is no wheelspin or drama usually associated with rear-wheel drive AMGs. Second and third gears don’t feel a lot slower than first, although the former ratios really give you the time to appreciate the torque as the engine runs to 6 000 r/min where the full 265 kW waits.
The A45 feels extremely nimble and is very easy to place on the road thanks to its diminutive dimensions and good visibility. Unlike on the 2.3-16, however, there is no upright three-pointed star at the end of the bonnet to guide you along the road. But there is a large emblem embedded in the grille, itself flanked by curvaceous headlamps with daytime running LEDs, contrasting with the 190E’s traditional grille and headlamp designs.
The A45 will hassle most other sports cars on twisty roads, and even some supercars might struggle to keep ahead of this rather conventional looking A-Class. It is supremely confidence inspiring, behaving well under braking, and when you press the throttle too early it will – like most cars today – slip into controlled understeer. However, press the ESP button once and the electronics loosen their grasp. Thus liberated, the rear of the car won’t step out as much as the 2.3-16’s, but you can certainly enjoy the car more and really feel the four-wheel drive system working. After entering a corner in the A45, you can get back on the throttle far earlier than you can in any rear wheel drive AMG, and of course, the 2.3-16.
Driving the 190 Cosworth and A45 back-to-back illustrates how the automotive world has changed. Premium marques have entered new water with their compact ranges, while technology has improved across the board, making cars safer, more refined and in the case of the A45, now capable of troubling sports cars that are twice the price thanks to the clever use of turbocharging.
In terms of its design, heritage and driving experience, the 190E 2.3-16 was closer to other Mercedes that filled the showroom floor during its reign than the A45 is, although it still carried an air of serious sporting intent. Its 7 000 r/min redline and dog leg gearbox are a world away from the A45, but both cars exemplify Mercedes’ relentless pursuit of headline grabbing performance for its smaller three-pointed stars.
Specifications*
Model: Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG 4Matic (W176)
Engine: M133, 1 991 cm3, four-cylinder, turbocharged
Power: 265 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 450 N.m from 2 250 r/min
Transmission: 7-speed DCT, 4WD
Weight: 1 555 kg
0-100 km/h: 4,6 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
Fuel consumption: 6,9 L/100 km
Years produced: 2013 – on
Model: Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16
Engine: M102, 2 299 cm3, four-cylinder
Power: 130 kW at 5 800 r/min
Torque: 230 N.m from 4 750 r/min
Transmission: 5-speed manual, RWD
Weight: 1 260 kg
0-100 km/h: 8,2 seconds
Top speed: 225 km/h
Fuel consumption: 12,1 L/100 km
Years produced: 1984 – 1988
*According to Mercedes-Benz
This article first appeared in Mercedes Enthusiast.