The 190e was the first compact executive car from Mercedes-Benz, a segment in which the German marque is now a major player. When Cosworth got involved, however, this formerly sedate saloon was transformed into something else entirely.
Before AMG became its established sub-brand, Mercedes-Benz would go to Cosworth for its most powerful engines. The company wanted to take the 190e rallying, so commissioned a powerful 320hp motor from the British engineering experts.
The resulting car could have taken the fight to Fiat and Lancia in the World Rally Championship, but not everything went according to plan…
Vorsprung durch DTM
Before the 190e could turn a wheel on a rally stage, the Audi Quattro arrived – and blew away the competition with its four-wheel-drive traction and turbocharged five-cylinder power. Not wanting to be humiliated, Mercedes-Benz decided to enter the 190e into the German Touring Car championship (DTM) instead.
DTM rules mandated that each competing vehicle must be based on a production road car, so a detuned version of the Cosworth engine was dropped into the showroom-spec 190e.
A power output of less than 200hp seems modest in modern terms, but the Stuttgart ‘Cossie’ is good for 143mph and delivers an exhilarating drive, backed up by plenty of motorsport heritage.
Cos you’re worth it
This particular car has been well used over its lifetime, but equally well looked after. Owned by
the same Mercedes-Benz enthusiast since 1995, it comes with a comprehensive service history.
Overall, the 190e is described as being in honest and highly original condition inside and out, with a level of wear you’d expect from almost 170,000 miles of careful use.
Car & Classic’s auction for the 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190e Cosworth 2.5, in association with Retro Motor, is
now live. When bidding closes on Thursday 27 July 2023, the car is expected to sell for between £20,000 and £25,000.
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