1985 Mercedes-Benz (W201) 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth - Ex-Team Lotus

The Mercedes-Benz 190E (W201) was a compact executive saloon car manufactured from 1982 to 1993. Mercedes had enjoyed some good results competing in rallying, with V8-powered R107 Series Coupés and naturally they were keen to build on this success by taking the 190E on a similar path. Not having the expertise in-house at the time, Mercedes approached British engineering company, Cosworth, to develop a competitive engine for the rally car, however this project took off just as the Audi Quattro, with its all-wheel drive and turbocharger, was launched, making the 2.3 16v appear somewhat outclassed. With a continued desire for the 190 to succeed in high-profile motorsport and also now a state-of-the-art engine with which to do it, Mercedes turned to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) (German Touring Car Championship) motorsport series instead. However, cars racing in this championship had to be based on a road-going model, a minimum number of which had been sold to the public, so Mercedes, therefore, had to put the 190 into series-production with a detuned version of the Cosworth engine.

This high-performance model was known as the 190E 2.3-16 and debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1983. In road-going trim, the 2.3-litre 16-valve engine produced 185bhp with acceleration from 0-62mph in less than eight seconds and a top speed of 143mph. The engine is considered to be remarkably flexible with a very flat torque curve and a wide powerband. There were other notable changes over the standard 190 including the bodykit which reduced the drag coefficient to 0.32, one of the lowest CD values on a four-door saloon at the time, whilst also reducing lift at speed. The steering ratio was quicker and the steering wheel smaller than that on other 190s, whilst the fuel tank was enlarged from 55 to 70 litres. The Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox was unique to the 16-valve and featured a 'racing' gear pattern with a 'dog-leg' first gear. An oil cooler was fitted to ensure sufficient oil cooling for the inevitable track use for which many of these cars were destined. The strictly four-seat interior featured Recaro sports seats with strong side bolsters for front and rear passengers and three extra dials, an oil temperature gauge, stopwatch and voltmeter were included in the centre console. The suspension on 16-valve models is very different from the standard 190. As well as being lower and stiffer, it has quicker dampers, larger anti-roll bars, harder bushes, a limited-slip differential and hydraulic self-levelling suspension (SLS) on the rear, allowing the rear ride height to remain constant even when the car is fully loaded.

The car presented here is a very special 1985 Mercedes-Benz (W201) 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth, as it was one of two examples supplied new to Team Lotus International in 1986, this era being a particularly testing and significant time in the team’s history. The 190E was to be used by the management team and drivers, which included Gérard Ducarouge, the legendary car designer, technical director and the figure credited with saving Team Lotus, plus Johnny Dumfries and Ayrton Senna, as drivers. Iconic Auctioneers have it on very good authority, directly from Gérard Ducarouge (before he died in 2015), that he clearly recalled the car, spoke highly of it and stated that it was very much used by all team members at this time.

Team Lotus had once stood as the dominant force in Formula 1, achieving victory in 71 World Championship races over 19 seasons. However, by the 1986 season, the team was grappling with the loss of its visionary founder. They were striving to provide their star driver, Ayrton Senna, with a competitive car amidst challenging circumstances. The 98T was the answer and a car that was born in the context of the 1986 F1 regulations, unrestricted by boost limitations, qualifying engines surged past 1,000bhp - the highest power outputs recorded in F1 history. The 1986 season represented the pinnacle of the V6 Turbo Era, defined by adrenaline-fueled racing where wheelspin was commonplace even in fifth gear, and qualifying engines were pushed to their limits - sometimes melting as they returned to the pits. Lotus constructed only four 98T cars for the 1986 season, designated chassis numbers one through four. Senna drove chassis #4 in the final eight races, including the legendary Australian Grand Prix, forever etched in F1 history for its dramatic conclusion.

This actual 190E was right in the heart of the action at this time, conveying significant team members to meetings, races and no doubt to the social occasions for which the mid-1980s were famous. This early ownership (Team Lotus subsequently sold on the 190E in March 1989 – according to a Team Lotus headed note-paper invoice, in the car’s history file) ensured the car was dutifully cared for, as you’d expect from an F1 team. It has gone on to have a few more enthusiast-owners over the years, each maintaining it to a high level. It is accompanied by a full-service history that includes old bills, MOTs and tax discs. More recently, in December 2020, the car has had its floors, sills and wheel arches repaired professionally. Overall, this is a very good and solid example that is presented in excellent condition, belying its 130,000 miles and is also reported to be running and driving extremely well; it has just been MOT'd ready for sale (expiry date 19/10/25), flying through its inspection.

This is a unique opportunity to purchase a 190E Cosworth with significant Team Lotus history, a time when the motorsport legend, Senna, was making his way in F1 and this car was there to witness it.