1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 200 Kompressor 5MT RWD (192 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz threw its former design books and started from a blank sheet of paper when it made the W210 E-Class, and the result was polarizing.

While it’s hard to believe, the same person that penned the 190 and the W124, Bruno Sacco, was the one that designed the W210. But his vision was right, even though it looked outrageous for those times. But he knew that the organic shapes that started to rule the automotive market were trending, paving the way to the bio-design era.

With its four-headlights front fascia, the W210 was far from the rectangular shapes of its predecessor, the W124. The bodywork’s corners were shaved and curved, with ample lines dominating the vehicle’s look. Its tilted-back radiator grille still sported a chromed trim, but it wasn’t as broad as on other Mercedes-Benz cars from that era. From its profile, the executive sedan showed a well-proportioned design, with a slightly ascending beltline but not high enough to create a sporty image, just a dynamic one. This new design language made some people love the brand, while others just dismissed it and thought it was unsuitable for the three-pointed-star brand.

Inside, the fluid lines and curved panels dominated the cabin. The carmaker placed a curved visor above the instrument panel instead of an angular one, while the sloped center stack got rid of most of its hard-corner edges. Save for the vents and the stereo. But Mercedes-Benz was about comfort, so the automaker installed a pair of thick bucket seats at the front, and a soft bench in the back, which was suitable mostly for two occupants due to the tall transmission tunnel.

Under the hood, the automaker installed a very wide range of diesel and gasoline engines paired with manual or automatic transmissions, depending on the options.