When the 190 was first presented in December 1982, it didn’t look particularly revolutionary. Yet the Mercedes-Benz mid-size sedan, known within the company as the “compact class” and positioned below the E-Class, S-Class and SL-Class, became a milestone for the future development of the Mercedes-Benz model portfolio. Its strong, clear lines matched its product claim as a genuine Mercedes-Benz, an embodiment of progress, about to step out into a new car category.

With its clearly defined wedge shape and finely chiseled light-catching contours, there was nothing reticent about the new model series, proudly taking its place in the Mercedes family. The man responsible for the fresh linear design was Bruno Sacco. The first models in the W 201 series were the 190 and 190 E which quickly became a major success and role models. As well as providing the basis for subsequent C-Class generations, the 190 sedan, known affectionately as the Baby Benz, also became the first shot in Mercedes-Benz’s product drive.

We’ve already gotten a taste of the next gen C-Class that should hit showrooms this summer, but here we got an even better DTM model that one of our favorite F1 drivers will race – Mika Hà¤kkinen.

This amazing DTM engine produces 350 kW, 476 hp at 7500 rpm and delivers a peak torque of 500 Nm. Bernd Schneider, Mika Hà¤kkinen, Bruno Spengler and Jamie Green will have the honor to race the new AMG-Mercedes C-Class in the 2007 season.

The C-class continues to amaze us with its innovations, not just by technology that will increase the driving experience but also with technology that will save our dying plant. Compared to the preceding model introduced in 2000, environmental specialists have calculated a reduction of 125 gigajoules in the overall energy requirement for the new C-Class. This corresponds to around 3800 litres of fuel. Carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by 15% per vehicle since 2000.

The reduction in exhaust emissions is just as impressive: compared to the previous model of 2000, the cutting-edge technology of the new C-Class has made possible a 20-percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions and a twelve percent reduction in hydrocarbons according to the Lifecycle Assessment.

The particulate emissions of the diesel models have been lowered by more than 90 percent thanks to the fitting of a maintenance-free particulate filter as standard equipment.

Like with the ventilated tail lights, these are little things that make the Mercedes cars unique. The attention to detail, even with the C-class, is very impressive.