Performance Review: Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes 190 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Mercedes 190 Series has a 2498cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 190 Series shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 190 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1360 kgs (2998 lbs) this makes the Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes 190 Series shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2498cc 16V St4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 6750 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 177 lb-ft (239.9 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes 190 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes 190 Series.

The Mercedes 190 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 144.8 bhp per ton and 130.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 190 Series competing with the 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (169.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes 190 Series generating around 130.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Porsche Panamera S E Hybrid 3.0 V6 (155.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade 4.2L (155.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 190 Series and the 1996 Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes 190 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.59 secs @ 87.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo (15.51 secs), the 1992 Renault Alpine A610 3.0 V6 Turbo (15.52 secs), and the 2011 Audi A7 3.0 TDI 310 (15.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 190 Series equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Dodge Neon 2.4 SRT-4 (153 mph).

Related Links:

1989 190 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison