Performance Review: Mercedes C Class 36 AMG - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes C Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes C Class 36 AMG is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.This particular Mercedes C Class has a 3606cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The C Class shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the C Class'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 1560 kgs (3439 lbs) this makes the Mercedes C Class 36 AMG in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes C Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3606cc 24V St6 engine produces 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 284 lb-ft (385.0 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive (201.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes C Class.

The Mercedes C Class has a Power to weight ratio of 176.9 bhp per ton and 182.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 C Class competing with the 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive (201.6 bhp per ton) or the 2016 Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 V6 Supercharged (201.5 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 C Class generating around 182.0 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 1990 Mercedes E Class 500 W124 (207.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 (206.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the Mercedes C Class 36 AMG as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This Mercedes C Class 36 AMG is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the C Class and the 1974 Lancia Stratos 2.5 V6

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes C Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.72 secs @ 92.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1974 Lancia Stratos 2.5 V6 (14.65 secs), the 1997 Mercedes C Class 43 AMG (14.65 secs), and the 2011 Audi A1 Quattro 2.0 Turbo (14.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the Mercedes C Class 36 AMG has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 C Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 Mercedes C Class 36 AMG then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1993 C Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison