Performance Review: Mercedes 230 CE - [1981]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes 230 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes 230 CE is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1981. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S.This particular Mercedes 230 has a 2299cc 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 230 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 230's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1380 kgs (3042 lbs) this makes the Mercedes 230 CE in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes 230 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2299cc 8V St4 engine produces 134 bhp (99 kW) @ 5100 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 151 lb-ft (204.7 Nm) @ 3500 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 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes 230 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (122.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes 230.

The Mercedes 230 has a Power to weight ratio of 97.1 bhp per ton and 109.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 230 competing with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (122.1 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Touareg 4.9 V10 (122.0 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 230 generating around 109.4 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 2004 Audi A4 2.0T FSI Quattro (134.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Seat Leon Sport FR 1.8 20VT 180 (134.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 11.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.6 secs, this made the Mercedes 230 CE as fast as the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (11.20 secs) the 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (11.20 secs) the 1979 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo (11.30 secs) the or the 1974 Ford Mustang Mach 1 170 2.8 V6 (11.40 secs). This Mercedes 230 CE is also faster than the 1979 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo (11.30 secs) the 1974 Ford Mustang Mach 1 170 2.8 V6 (11.40 secs) the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS (11.50 secs) the and the 1956 Austin-Healey 100 SIX BN4 (11.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 230 and the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes 230 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.8 secs @ 76.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (17.72 secs), the 1996 Lotus Elise S1 (17.73 secs), and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (17.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1981 version of the Mercedes 230 CE has a maximum speed of 112mph.

Top Speed of the 1981 230 equals the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (123 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1981 Mercedes 230 CE then how about the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (123 mph), the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (123 mph), or the 1983 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (123 mph).

Related Links:

1981 230 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison