Lot details Registration No: H270HJB Chassis No: WDB2010352F695705 Mot Expiry: None
Unveiled at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 190E 2.3-16 was arguably Mercedes-Benz's most driver orientated car since the legendary 300SL `Gullwing'. Flagship of the recently introduced 190 (W201) range, the newcomer had originally been conceived as a potential World Rally Championship contender before morphing into a high-performance road car. In order to exploit the W201's even weight distribution and advanced suspension design (its sophisticated multi-link rear set-up was subsequently cribbed by numerous other manufacturers), Mercedes-Benz commissioned Cosworth to design a `cutting edge' sixteen-valve cylinder head for its 2299cc four-cylinder M102 engine. Producing 185bhp and 173lbft of torque, the resultant powerplant exceeded both parties' expectations. Equipped with a five-speed Getrag manual gearbox, the 2.3-16 was reputedly capable of 143mph and 0-60mph in 8 seconds flat. To harness such performance the 2.3-16 featured an electronically controlled limited slip differential, lowered / stiffened suspension and powerful ABS brakes. The standard fit bodykit not only added an element of refined menace but also reduced the sports saloon's drag coefficient to just 0.32. For 1988, Mercedes-Benz created the 2.5-16. Engineered in-house, its larger 2498cc unit developed 204bhp @ 6,800rpm and 177lbft of torque. As well as being notably quicker (150mph, 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds), the 2.5-16 achieved considerable success in the prestigious DTM race series. Campaigned by AMG with factory backing, the distinctive sliver and black championship-winning machines netted the last of their 50 victories during 1993. Priced at £38,272 in the UK, the 2.5-16 was nearly ten thousand pounds more expensive than the contemporary BMW M3. During its four-year production run (1988-1992), just 4,784 2.5-16s were sold worldwide.
Notably well specified, this particular right-hand drive example is able to boast air-conditioning, automatic transmission, central locking, full black leather upholstery and Cosworth overmats. Reputed to have been serviced by Mercedes-Benz garages up to circa 90,000 miles and to have been entrusted to marque specialists thereafter, its odometer currently shows some 112,000 miles. Reportedly belonging to its previous keeper for a decade or so, the 2.5-16 has recently been recommissioned following a period of dry storage. Coated with Mercedes-Benz's latest anti-scratch lacquer as the final phase of an extensive bodywork restoration, the sports saloon has also benefited from a service plus attention to its electric seats / headrests / windows. Stated faults comprise a non-functioning stopwatch, troublesome sunroof and minor chips to the fascia's wood veneers. Riding on refurbished alloy wheels shod with new and nearly-new tyres, `H270 HJB' is accompanied by sundry bodywork restoration photographs and current road fund licence.
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