Introduction

In the early 1980s, Mercedes-Benz set out on a mission to inject a dose of high-performance adrenaline into their line-up of executive sedans. The result was the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth, a car that not only elevated the brand’s reputation in motorsports but also left an indelible mark on the automotive industry.

Inspiration and Collaboration

Inspired by the growing popularity of touring car racing, Mercedes-Benz aimed to create a “homologation special” – a high-performance version of their 190E model that would meet the requirements for racing in the competitive Group A category. To bring this vision to life, Mercedes turned to none other than Cosworth, a renowned British engineering company with a stellar reputation in motorsports.

Cosworth, known for their expertise in crafting high-performance race engines, was entrusted with developing a powerplant to transform the 190E into a true sports sedan. The result was a highly efficient 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 16 valves, hence the name 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth.

What Sets It Apart

The Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth was not just a souped-up version of the regular 190E; it represented a leap forward in performance and technology. The Cosworth-tuned engine produced an impressive 182 horsepower, and the suspension and aerodynamic enhancements made it a formidable contender on both the road and the racetrack.

The exterior featured subtle but distinctive modifications, including a rear spoiler, flared wheel arches, and alloy wheels, giving the 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth a more aggressive and purposeful appearance. Inside, the sporty theme continued with their now signature checked sports seats for four, a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, and a leather gear lever illustrating its dog-leg gearbox shift pattern, a feature found only on race cars of the time, reminding drivers of the car’s racing pedigree.

1984 German GP ‘Race of Champions’

To showcase the prowess of their new creation, Mercedes-Benz devised a unique public relations initiative. They convinced several Formula 1 drivers, past and present, to participate in a one-of-a-kind, twelve-lap ‘Race of Champions’ in support of the main event, the 1984 German Formula 1 GP, held at the brand new Nürburgring Grand Prix Course.

Drivers included famous names like Niki Lauda, Keke Rosberg, Alan Jones, James Hunt, Jody Scheckter, Phil Hill, Jack Brabham, John Surtees, Stirling Moss, Alain Prost and the rising Formula 1 prodigy Ayrton Senna.

The concept was simple – each driver would compete in identical Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworths, levelling the playing field and highlighting the car’s performance capabilities.

Ayrton Senna, relatively new to the Formula 1 scene then, emerged as the eventual winner of this thrilling race series. The victory solidified his reputation as a formidable driver and forever linked the 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth to his venerable name amongst motorsports fans.

The Car

This immaculate example is registered on regular, daily drivable black plates and is finished in Blauschwarz (blue-black), one of only two colours the 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth was available in, the other being Rauchsilber (smoke silver). Enhancements include a set of 190E 2.5-16 EVO II wheels, leather shift knob and AMG steering wheel.

Its interior has been completely refurbished with original materials, including the checked fabric and carpets.

The engine is robust and zings freely to its 7,000rpm redline, making all the right noises along the way.  The 5-speed Getrag dog-leg gearbox is a joy to use, being both positive and precise. Together, they make heel-toeing an absolutely visceral experience.

The new factory-spec suspension provides benign on-limit handling, and the strong brakes give drivers total confidence, making a twisty country road blast a truly cathartic pastime.

On unofficial records, only 600 right-hand drive units are built in total.