Mercedes 190 E 2.3-16: lady of the ring – Sports cars
WAITING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF REPORTERS (we, the photographers, were taken to the track an hour earlier), I am on the ground floor of the technical track inside the ring Backgammon with Robert Schaefer, one of eighteen pilots who passed the baton thirty years ago during a distance (and speed) record of 50.000 km.
Standing next to one of the three Mercedes 190 E 2.3-16 The valves of the main heroes of the record, illuminated by the first light of the day, Schaefer tells me that in that hot August 1983, along with seventeen other colleagues, he drove 201 hours on the 12,5 km of the ring (now owned by another German company). : la Porsche) to average speed 247 km / h! “Driving shifts lasted about two and a half hours, during which time the 190 E consumed 170 liters (or the entire tank) of extremely refined gasoline (110 octane) at the maximum speed at which the four-cylinder Mercedes was exposed,” says the driver, with admiringly looking at the tight lines and sharp cuts of the machine he knew well.
Intrigued by the monstrous capacity of this tank, I ask him if there were any changes made to the three cars, which then worked for nine summer days. He replies that some changes have indeed been made. The stars who wrote the history of this recordIn fact, they differed from production cars in some details, such as a longer rear axle (it had a gear and a crown, which guaranteed a longer gear ratio and therefore higher speed), a shorter exhaust and tank oversized and equipped with two quick refueling ports. Besides, radiator of these 16 valves has been downsized to accommodate the high speed that, if used as standard, would cause excessive cooling of the cylinder head. As a final modification to production vehicles, the headlights have been coated with colored films (three different colors: green, white and red, each of which belongs to the "team"). Schaefer tells me that soon together with Mika Hekkinen as a "taxi driver" he will lead the journalists along the technical track on two Mercedes AMG new generation.
I envy their luck, I say goodbye to Schaefer and start photographing the magnificent 16-valve. I am amazed at its angular surfaces: aggression and elegance were certainly two pillars that Daimler-Benz prized in developing this sedan. As the camera shifts, my attention is drawn to two other 190 E's, the legendary descendants. Evo ed Evo 2... After the commercial success achieved 2.3-16 (also thanks to an important marketing operation such as the Nardo record), Mercedes decided to expand the range by introducing a small series of high-performance models borrowed from the 190 E. In fact, in 1988. 190 and 2.5-16 years oldwith the engine increased to 2.463 cc DTM a BMW M3, Alpha 155 GTA e Audi 80 Quattro.
The roar of the C 63 AMG racing in a straight line behind the wheel of a luxury taxi driver wakes me up from my memories, so I continue to photograph three. sedan sports. I stop to look at the monumental aileron the latest evolution: it is titanic compared to what is contained in 2.3, and slightly more advanced than the previous Evo. The "new" 2,5-liter unit, equipped with Evolution and Evo 2, was conceived with the idea of being able to implement various sports developments; 502 Evo and the same number of Evo 2 were built for homologation in Group A of DTM which required at least 500 cars. The lines differed from the previous model in an aerodynamic appendage and wheel arch increased; shapes never before seen in four-door sedans, comfortable and equipped, but with a sporty soul.
Speaking of competition, another merit that the 1983 XNUMX-valve engine boasts is that it served as a springboard for a rising motoring star ... and what a star! Definite sennaIn fact, in May 1984 he was called to replace his compatriot. Emerson Fittipaldi who at the last moment "threw the ballot box" to the organizers of the grand prix Nurburgringpromoted by Niki Lauda. To celebrate the opening of the new Ring, GP trackfinally safer and more modern (eight years ago, Lauda crashed in his Ferrari 312T and completely closed history F1 on the old Ring), the race was organized only for Mercedes, led by such famous names as Hill, Hunt, Prost and Lauda himself. In an incredible downpour, young Ayrton sowed these award-winning pilots, crossing the line first, ahead of Lauda and Reuthemann. For Senna, this victory was undoubtedly an opportunity to stand out in front of such outstanding figures from the world of Formula 1 as himself. Enzo Ferrari who soon after had reason to regret that he had never considered the idea of calling him into a race for his team.
The same car that won this Grand Prix is today here in Puglia on the “lap of honor” with its sister, the long-distance record holder in Nardo, has driven several times in 12,5 km laps. Roar of four cylinders Mercedes this awakening brings me back to the present. I convince PR Mercedes-Benz Classic to let me board the Evo to take some pictures in the car with the Evo 2 camera that is following us. He only gives me one lap and when we finally get back to the paddock the day is over... Or maybe not! In fact, I see Häkkinen getting out of the C 63 AMG and I rush to ask him, without even giving him time to put his feet on the ground, if he can “take me for a ride” on the 2,7km track. technical scheme. Having convinced the two-time Formula 1 world champion, I fasten my four-point seat belts and, as sunset approaches, I recall the many successes of today's birthday girl, allowing myself to run out loud before braking at the end of the straight: “what a lady!”
