Editing Mercedes-Benz C-Class (section)

== Predecessor models ==

=== W201 (1982) ===
{{Infobox automobile
| image = 1987-Mercedes Benz-190E-2.3.jpg
| caption = Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201)
| name = W201
| aka = 190E, 190D
| production = September 1982 – May 1993 (W201)
| engine = {{ubl|
  '''Petrol:'''
  | 1.8L, 2.3L, 2.5L [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
  | 2.6L, 3.2L [[Straight-six engine|I6]]
  |'''Diesel:'''
  | 2.0L, 2.2L [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
  | 2.5L [[Straight-five engine|I5]]
  }}
| layout = [[FR layout]]
}}
{{main|Mercedes-Benz W201}}
[[File:1985 Mercedes-Benz 190 E (W 201) 2.0 sedan (2015-05-29) 02.jpg|thumb|left|1985 Mercedes-Benz 190E W201 (Australia)]]
The '''Mercedes-Benz W201''' is the internal designation for the [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] 190 series sedans, a range of front-engine, rear drive, five passenger, four-door sedans manufactured over a single generation, from 1982 to 1993 as the company's first [[compact car|compact]] class automobile.
[[File:1985 Mercedes Benz W201 190E (Interior).jpg|left|thumb|1985 Mercedes-Benz 190E W201 Interior]]
Designed by [[Bruno Sacco]], head of styling at Mercedes-Benz from 1975 to 1999, the W201 debuted at the 1982 [[Paris Motor Show]]. Manufactured in both Bremen and Sindelfingen, Germany, production reached 1,879,629 over its eleven-year model life.{{sfn|Deutsche Autos, Band 6,|2001|page=100}}

[[File:1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II no. 494, rear left.jpg|thumb|left|Mercedes 190 E 2.5 16 Evolution II]]
The W201 introduced a [[Multi-link suspension|5-link rear suspension]] subsequently used in E and C class models, front and rear anti-roll bars, anti-dive and anti-squat geometry—as well as airbags, ABS brakes and [[seatbelts#Pretensioners and webclamps|seatbelt pretensioners]]. Its extensive use of light-weight high-strength steel enabled it to withstand a concrete barrier offset crash at 35&nbsp;mph (56&nbsp;km/h) without serious passenger injury or cabin deformation.

Mercedes introduced a performance variant, marketed as the '''190 E 2.3-16V''', at the [[Frankfurt Motor Show#1983|1983 Frankfurt Motor Show]].