CLASSIC COMPARISON: Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 vs A45 AMG

They could have been produced by two different manufacturers, but actually they simply show the improvements in leaps and bounds Mercedes-Benz has made over two decades, and how it's lured a younger audience to its showrooms. 

Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms

Images: Danie Nel

How the world of fast four-door cars has changed over the past two to three decades – especially for Mercedes-Benz.

• Find a classic Mercedes-Benz to buy for yourself here.

Back in the 1980s when the company launched the 190E it was immediately known as the “Baby Benz”. Soon afterwards the C-Class would be Mercedes-Benz’s volume seller. In the 1980s, building a hatch wasn’t high on Mercedes-Benz’s priority list, if at all. Today, as a mainstream manufacturer, you don’t have a choice in providing this option, or a type of city cross-over at least.

So, what do these two cars have in common? This first generation A45 AMG was Mercedes-Benz’s top of the range four-cylinder sports car, a role the 190E had to fulfil in the late-1990s. 

As is the case today, Mercedes-Benz didn’t wait too long to entice the buying public with its new performance model. In December of 1982 the 190/190E range was launched before the world’s media. In September the following year, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2,3 16V model was shown to the public, but its reputation as a compact fast sedan had preceded it. 

In August, at the 12 km Nardo test facility in south-east Italy, the 2,3 16V 190E set no less than three world and twelve international class endurance records. These included, to name a few, 25 000 km, 40 000 km and 50 000 km distance records, that were all set at around 246 km/h in times of 101, 162 and 202 hours respectively. 

The A45 AMG can’t lay claim to such world records, but it has a few other impressive statistics associated with its name. The first generation developed 265 kW and 450 Nm. It was by far the most powerful four-cylinder production engine we had seen up to then. 

The boxy 190E

However, the 190E is worlds apart from Mercedes-Benz’s first hot hatch in almost every single aspect.

Open the solid door and the interior continues along the same 1980s theme. The dash and centre console form an almost perfect “T” shape.  The smaller gloss Momo steering wheel might look out of place to some, but this ‘wheel was actually at the time directly available from Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Apart from looking the part, it accomplishes another task, which we will get to shortly. 

The short bonnet features two creases running from the front grille. The A45 AMG actually features a similar design, but it is much wider and continues into the A-pillars.

The strong and angular lines of the 190E are even more pronounced and visible on the 16V model. The front bumper, side sills, rear bumper and also the small rear wing, all kept in place by four short pillars, contribute to it looking as close-to-dammit as a road version of DTM racers, which went airborne over the kerbs around race circuits in Germany in the late-1980s.

At the time of the photoshoot and drive this specific 1986 190E had been with its owner for seven years. It was treated to a significant restoration since the previous owner drove it on farm roads. 

Details such as the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre numberplate holder and the brochures and owner’s manual in the luggage compartment illustrate the fastidious manner in which this collector keeps his cars.

There is little fanfare once the engine starts up, but it definitely sounds better than the smaller capacity 190E models. The engine was re-developed by Cosworth engineers. It featured a light alloy cylinder head with twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Together with Bosch LE Jetronic fuel injection, air-bathed injection valves, hydraulically damped engine bearings and an oil cooler, the engine developed just over 50 kW more than the standard single overhead camshaft 2,3-litre engine.

As you engage – with very little effort – the dog-leg first gear, you realise you are driving something special. The road flows along the green cornfields and the joy of using this gearbox is immediately noticeable. The gearbox doesn’t want to be rushed, but the joy is to be had in the way the gearlever simply clicks down from second to third and then across the gate from third to fourth.

In true Mercedes-Benz fashion, there is a perfect composure in the way the suspension deals with the road. Although this is the sports model, the ride is still comfort-oriented, but tauter, with less body roll when you push through corners – partly owing to the trick mechanical hydraulic suspension of the time. The gloss, compact steering wheel fits perfectly into my hands. It also grips rather well since any moisture on your hands leads to even better grip. The throttle response – and steering ratio for that matter – was another overt improvement compared to any other Mercedes-Benz I’ve driven from this period. It is sensitive, but perfectly in balance with the rest of the controls. 

Overall this 190E feels lighter and more compact – for obvious reasons – compared to Mercedes-Benz’s other model ranges at the time. After all, it does tip the scales at only 1 230 kg. 

The boosted performer

At 1 555 kg the A45 AMG is by no stretch of the imagination a light-weight contender. There are several reasons for this. The addition of several airbags, luxury items such as the Comand infotainment system, a comfortable cabin and an overall platform and chassis which is much stronger and safer than cars from three decades ago. 

This specific car is quite possibly one of the lower specification A45 AMGs I have seen. Most of the early publicity material which had been made available by Mercedes-Benz during the launch of the A45, and was subsequently used by the media, featured the optional Edition 1 package, which gives the A45 AMG a totally different and more aggressive – if slightly yobbish – stance.

The interior is a notch up on the more commonly found A-Class models. The part-leather, part-Alcantara AMG steering wheel and gearlever are probably the most obvious additions. Next up are the sports seats and the dials which inform you about the serious intent of this little machine.

The 2,0-litre turbocharged engine is connected to Mercedes-Benz’s 7-speed double-clutch transmission. Power is then sent to the front wheels... most of the time. During enthusiastic pull-aways and cornering, torque will immediately be sent to the rear wheels as well.

The powertrain is the reason this hatch is nothing sort of ballistic. The cold AMG gearshift paddles quickly encourage you to start using them. First gear is done in a flash, with no wheel spin or the drama usually associated with rear-wheel drive AMGs. Second and third gears don’t feel a lot slower, although they really give you the time to experience the torque, showing how quickly the engine runs to just over 6 000 rpm. 

The A45 feels extremely nimble, easy to place on the road, while the good visibility also plays a role. Unfortunately there is no Mercedes-Benz Tristar at the pointy end of the bonnet. However, there is a large emblem embedded in the grille with LED day-time running lights on the front corners of the car. The performance will hassle most other sports cars on twisty roads.

The A45 AMG is really a confidence-inspiring car. It behaves well when braking, and when you press the throttle too early it will – like most cars today – start to push its nose wide. However, press the ESP button once and the electronics will become less interfering. The rear wheels won’t become as light as you might have expected, but you can certainly enjoy the car more and feel the four-wheel-drive system working, as you can get back on the throttle with confidence far earlier than in any rear-wheel-drive AMG. One thing is for sure, having four-wheel drive – as an option – simply makes so much sense.

Vastly different propositions

Technically the last fast four-cylinder sporty car Mercedes-Benz built, was the 2,5 16V 190E. Even so, compared to the A45 AMG, these cars clearly illustrate how the automotive world has changed in the past few decades. Cars have become smaller, while technology, on all levels, has improved. Now the industry’s most powerful and capable super hatch is able to keep several more serious sports cars very humble. 

This brings us to the 190E. In terms of design, heritage and driving experience, it is undoubtedly closer to the other Mercedes-Benzes which filled the showroom floor decades ago – albeit with a very serious sporting intent.

The 7 000 rpm redline, dog-leg manual gearbox, square design and race car heritage combine to give us a car that will always boast a lot of appeal for any Mercedes-Benz aficionado. 

Specifications

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG (W176)

Engine: 1 991 cm3, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol

Power: 265 kW @ 6 000 rpm

Torque: 450 Nm @ 2 250 – 5 000 rpm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic, AWD

Weight: 1 555 kg

0-100 km/h: 4.6 seconds

Top speed: 250 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 190E 2,3 16V (W201)

Engine: 2 299 cm3, four-cylinder petrol

Power: 138 kW @ 6 200 rpm  

Torque: 226 Nm @ 4 500 rpm 

Transmission: 5-speed manual, RWD

Weight: 1 230 kg

0-100 km/h: 7.5 seconds

Top speed: 230 km/h 

Years produced: 1983 – 1988