Mercedes-Benz C-Class W202 (1993–2000)

The first generation W202 Mercedes C-Class was introduced in 1993, as a replacement for the Mercedes-Benz W201 (190), and proved successful among high-end car buyers. The Mercedes C-Class sedan was the company's entry-level model up until 1997, when Mercedes launched the Mercedes A-Class. Styling themes were carried over from the previous W201 series, but the new series had a smoother and rounder design than the previous generation of compact Mercedes.

Engines
On its debut, the Mercedes C-Class was the only Mercedes model with a complete lineup of multi-valve engines. The new family of four cylinder petrol units, called M111, debuted in the Mercedes C 180 (1.8 L, 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp)), Mercedes C 200 (2.0 L, 138 PS (101 kW; 136 hp) and Mercedes C 220 (2.2 L, 154 PS (113 kW; 152 hp), the only four cylinder of the range sold in the U.S.). In 1996 the Mercedes C 220 was replaced by the Mercedes C 230, enlarged to 2.3 L displacement but with the same output, although with torque increased to 220 N·m (162 lb·ft). The Mercedes C 280 was the high end model of the class, with a four-valve-per-cylinder straight-6 engine, capable of reaching 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp).

Four-cylinder diesel models were equipped with the same OM601 engine of the 190, in the 2.0 L and 2.2 L versions. Many of these diesel variants were sold as taxis, due to their low fuel consumption and strong reliability. There were also more powerful OM605 five cylinder engines which were available in naturally aspired (C 250 D) and turbocharged (C 250 TD) forms. The turbodiesel was introduced in 1995 and is one of the novelties in the engine range available from this year. The most important was a supercharged version of the M111 straight four, the Mercedes C 230 Kompressor, using a Roots-type supercharger to generate 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp) at 5300 rpm: Mercedes-Benz reused supercharger technology after 50 years. Due to the tax law in Italy and Portugal, models in those countries featured a supercharged version of the smaller 2.0 L (Mercedes C 200 Kompressor), which had a similar output of the Mercedes C 230 Kompressor.

With the restyling in 1997, a lot of things changed under the hood of the Baby Benz. The most important innovation was the OM611, equipped with a common rail direct injection system (co-developed with Bosch). The new model was named Mercedes C 220 CDI, and had an improvement in output of 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) compared with the Mercedes C 220 Diesel, better fuel average and lower emissions. Another revolution occurred to the six cylinder engines, as the legendary straight six were replaced by an all new family of V6, the M112. The new engines featured SOHC heads instead of the previous DOHC, three valves per cylinder instead of four, and twin sparkplugs. The four-cylinder Mercedes C 230 was replaced by the Mercedes C 240 (2.4 L) and the I6 Mercedes C 280 by the V6 Mercedes C 280. These changes theoretically reduced emissions, and improved fuel consumption, without sacrificing power (the Mercedes C 280 in fact had a slight 4 PS (3 kW; 4 hp) increase with the change).

In the last four years of production, the Mercedes W202 received a few changes in the choices of engine. In 1998, a less powerful version of the 2.2 L turbodiesel was added, called Mercedes C 200 CDI, which replaced the Mercedes C 220 Diesel. In 2000, the Mercedes C 200 Kompressor T's output was cut to 163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp), the Mercedes C 240 T displacement was enlarged from 2.4 L to 2.6 L, but output remained at 170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) and the Mercedes C 180 got a 2.0 L engine.

Transmissions
At the launch all Mercedes W202 variants were equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The 722.4 4-speed automatic transmission, also called 4G-TRONIC, was available as extra cost (standard on the C 36 AMG). In 1996 this old transmission - which was on sale since 1981 - was replaced by a 5-speed automatic gearbox (aka 722.5 or 5G-TRONIC), which received the manual shifting in 1999 (722.6). In 2000 the T-Modell, the only still on sale, was equipped with the G56 6-speed manual transmission.

Safety
At the launch the Mercedes C-Class had a standard driver airbag, ABS and integrated side-impact protection; the front passenger airbag became standard from 1995 onwards, and from the same period Traction control (ETS in the 4-cylinder models, combined with limited slip differential (ASD) or ASR in the 6 cylinders models) was available as extra cost. In 1997 ASR became standard in the Mercedes C 280s equipped with the automatic transmission and in the Mercedes C 36 AMG, as ETS in the 4-cylinder models, except for the Mercedes C 180 and the Mercedes C 220 Diesel.

With the 1997 restyling ASR became standard in all the models, except in the Mercedes C 180 and Mercedes C 220 Diesel. This last model continued to offer ETS available as extra cost. Moreover front side airbags and Brake assist (BAS) came in the list of standard safety features. The two basic models finally joined ASR in 1998, and, in 1999, the W202 was the first mid-size sedan to offer ESP as standard in all the range.

AMG models
In 1995, the Mercedes C-Class received its first genuine performance model, the Mercedes C 36 AMG, to counter the new six-cylinder BMW M3. Developed with AMG, the tuning house that had now become a subsidiary of Daimler-Benz, it had a racing-tuned suspension (lowered by 25 mm (1 in)) and in the USA, a four-speed automatic gearbox, followed by a standard five-speed automatic gearbox. The 3.6 L engine had a maximum output of 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) at 5750 rpm and 385 N·m (284 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm. Top speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Only a total of 5200 Mercedes C 36 AMGs were produced.

In late 1997 (1998 model year) Mercedes AMG developed a new flagship for the Mercedes C-Class, the Mercedes C 43 AMG, powered by a 4.3 L V8, which could now achieve 306 PS (225 kW; 302 hp) at 5850 rpm, with a torque of 410 N·m (302 lb·ft) at 3250 rpm. Unlike the Mercedes C36, which was in fact a "ready-to-sell" Mercedes C280 disassembled for tuning at the AMG factory, the Mercedes C43 was the first AMG car to be completely assembled at the AMG plant in Affalterbach after the acquisition of Mercedes AMG by Daimler-Benz in 1998. The Mercedes C43 AMG can achieve a 0–100 km/h (0-60 mph) time in 5.8 seconds for the saloon version and 6.1 seconds for the estate. The Mercedes C43 was the first Mercedes C-Class to be equipped with a Mercedes-Benz V8 based engine.

Mercedes-Benz W202 C 43 AMG
Two versions exist: a saloon (chassis W202.033) and estate also called the "T version" (chassis W202.093). The overall body of the Mercedes C43 AMG estate version has many similarities with the C36 AMG, except for the front and rear bumpers as well as the side body, both of which were re-designed. The black engine cover with the chrome AMG and Mercedes-Benz star logos is also very typical from that period in this market segment.

Some differences have been reported between the 1998 and the 2000 version such as the ECU software on the 2000 version that seems to provide better gearbox performances and longer life to the gearbox. Also the 2000 model gives the possibility to up or down lift the steering wheel and has the Mercedes AMG forged letters on the brakes calipers.

The car was manufactured for a little more than two years – from the end of 1997 to the spring of 2000 for a total of 4,200 units 20% of which are estates and 80% saloons, with only 25 Mercedes C 43 vehicles of the 2000 model year imported to the US.

The Mercedes C43 is powered by a tuned version of the 4.3 liter M113 V8 engine originally found on the Mercedes W210 E 430 model. After modifications this engine delivers 306PS (225 kW) at 5,850rpm, up to 410Nm(302 lb/ft) of torque at 3,250rpm-5,000rpm (taken at the crank) and up to 241HP at 6,320rpm measured at the wheels. According to Mercedes-Benz, the car can reach 155.5MPH (250 km/h), with electronic speed limitation and 181MPH (291 km/h) without. Transmission is an Mercedes AMG-modified version of the five speed automatic gearbox found on 1998-2000 R129 SL 500. Main modifications were made in order to achieve a more crisper and better adapted gearbox to higher-rpm upshifts.Also the braking system has been taken from the Mercedes W210 E 55 AMG.