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(from Mercedes-Benz
Press Release) Model history: the C 124 series (1986 to 1996)
-- Convincing body
design with timeless elegance
-- Various four- and six-cylinder models to choose from
-- Most powerful model: the Mercedes-Benz E 36 AMG
The Coupé variant of the
124 series was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1987,
exactly ten years after the presentation there of the previous
models of the 123 series. The first models out were the 230 CE and
300 CE. Though technically and stylistically closely related to the
Saloon, the Coupé was a model in its own right.
The floor unit of the
four-door was the basis, but wheelbase and overall length were 85
millimetres shorter. That and the uncompromising two-door design
underscore the coupé character. Accordingly, in construction and
form the body represents a completely independent variant, as was
the case with the previous model. The visual commonality with the
Saloon was limited to the front end up to the A-pillars, the tail
lights and the dashboard. All other body parts had been redesigned.
That includes the windscreen and the rear window, which were angled
more flatly (1.0 and 1.5 degrees, respectively) compared with the
Saloon. An important side effect of the elegant design: the low
coefficient of drag with a Cd of 0.30 to 0.31 (depending on engine)
appreciably reduced the fuel consumption of the Coupé versus the
previous series.
Where the engineering is
concerned it was a different story: the mechanical components of the
Coupés were completely identical with those of their four-door
counterparts. Like the Saloons they had a multi-link independent
rear suspension that further improved the handling characteristics
compared with the previous models, plus a shock absorber strut
independent front suspension located by individual wishbones. The
braking system likewise was taken unchanged from the four-doors.
The drive system
technology also came from the Saloons. The debut models 230 CE and
300 CE were fitted as standard with a closed-loop catalytic
converter. Optionally they could also be ordered as so-called
catalyst retrofit versions in which a closed-loop catalytic
converter could be installed any time subsequently, and which had a
slightly higher output. This offer applied in the transitional
period when unleaded petrol was not yet available everywhere. The
230 CE had a four-cylinder engine (M 102) with an output of 97 kW
(catalyst retrofit version: 100 kW), the 300 CE a six-cylinder with
132 kW (catalyst retrofit version: 138 kW). A five-speed manual
transmission was fitted as standard in both variants. For an
additional charge a four-speed automatic transmission was available
whose fourth gear was not designed as an overdrive, i.e., engine
speed could be fully utilised. Externally the 300 CE could be
identified by its twin tailpipes – and the model plate, unless it
was deleted on ordering.
It goes without saying
that the safety standard attained in the Saloons of the 124 series
was adopted for the Coupés. The missing B-pillars could be
compensated by reinforced A-pillars, rocker panels and doors as well
as a particularly high percentage of high-strength sheet steel. This
made the overall weight of the Coupés slightly higher than the
Saloons'. The design engineers trod new paths in designing the end
section of the roof: the interior panelling of the roof was extended
slightly over the rear window, benefiting the safety and comfort of
back seat passengers: in dangerous situations neither the edge of
the panel nor the edge of the window were close to the head. And
since the roof, despite the coupé shape, did not begin its downward
slope until well to the rear, the passengers in the rear had much
more headroom for themselves than one is accustomed to in a coupé.
The overlapping area was visually camouflaged by a dark pattern on
the rear window.
The anti-lock braking
system ABS was standard equipment in the 300 CE from the outset, and
in the 230 CE from February 1988 on.
A characteristic design
element documenting the independence of the Coupé design compared
with the other variants of the series were the rub strips combined
with integral side skirts. Between the wheel cut-outs, at bumper
level, they created an optical link between front apron and rear
apron and, like the aprons, were painted in contrasting metallic
colours.
As in the SEC Coupés a
belt feeder extended the seat belt as soon as driver or front
passenger took their seats. This comfort feature is necessary
because the seat belts are positioned fairly well to the rear owing
to the elimination of the B-pillar.
Like all models of the
series, the Coupés got an extended range of standard equipment in
September 1988. It now included a heated and electrically adjustable
nearside exterior mirror and the windscreen washing system of the
S-Class with a heated washer reservoir including heated nozzles and
hoses.
Model refinement packages keep the
Coupé up to date
In September 1989 at the
Frankfurt International Motor Show Mercedes-Benz showed a revised
intermediate class model range, including Coupés. In the Saloons and
the Estate the refinements focussed on changes to the styling of the
body and the redesign of the interior, while on the outside the
Coupés presented themselves practically unchanged since they had
been equipped from the start of their production with the side rub
strips which were the most conspicuous feature of the facelifted 124
series models, and in a way served as model for the revamp of the
other body variants.
The side skirts were
optically upgraded with narrow polished stainless steel trim strips
which continued along the tops of the front and rear aprons. In a
discreet form they brought back that often missed touch of sparkling
chrome after a long period of abstinence. They were complemented
with chrome trim elements on the door handles and changed wheel
embellishers in which the Mercedes star and a narrow trim ring on
the circumference also were chrome-plated. Another new feature were
exterior mirror housings painted the colour of the car. The interior
also presented itself in a new design offering improved front and
rear seats and numerous improvements to details.
For the facelifted 124
series, from September on the Sportline package familiar from the
201-series models also was available as an optional extra. External
features were the sports suspension with wide-base tyres size 205/60
R 15 on 7 J x 15 light-alloy or steel rims and a lower-slung (23
millimetres) body. The other appointments of the package included
20-percent stiffer springs and shock absorbers along with modified
interior appointments with a leather steering wheel (diameter 390
millimetres instead of 400) and leather gearshift lever as well as
individual front and rear seats.
Apart from said
improvements in design and appointments the revamped series 124
model range shown in Frankfurtoffered five entirely new models as
well, among them a Coupé, the 300 CE-24. This powerful variant was
created applying the modular principle and used the 162 kW 3.0-litre
four-cylinder engine (M 104) of the 300 SL-24. Owing to the
different installation conditions, however, it was not possible to
use the same catalytic converter cross-section as in the SL so that
the rated output was 8 kW lower. The 300 CE-24 functioned as new
flagship model of the intermediate class and accordingly had a
higher level of appointments including light-alloy wheels, leather
steering wheel and leather shift lever, burred walnut trim, and
courtesy lights in the doors. The electronically controlled
five-speed automatic transmission shown in the 300 CE-24 was a world
first.
Catalyst retrofit
versions were no longer available. From June 1990 on the Coupé also
was produced as the 200 CE featuring the tried and tested 2.0-litre
four-cylinder engine (M 102, 87 kW with and 90 kW without catalytic
converter), albeit exclusively for export to Italy.
In September 1992 the
company showed a revised intermediate class model range – at that
point two million vehicles of the 124 series had already rolled off
the assembly line. If the emphasis had been on styling changes in
the first facelift in autumn 1989, this time Mercedes-Benz
concentrated on the engine and appointments. The engine range of the
Coupé models was completely converted to four-valve technology. Two
four-cylinder units with 2.0 and 2.2 litres displacement from the
newly developed M 111 series replaced the two-valve-per-cylinder
units. The new engines were distinguished by increased output and
higher torque over the entire engine speed range; all the same, they
had lower fuel consumption. The smaller engine developed 100 kW, the
larger 110 kW. An increase in the volume of the catalytic converter
reduced the pollutant emissions. With the introduction of the new
engines the model designations changed: the 230 CE became the 220
CE; the 200 CE export model, which also got the
four-valve-per-cylinder engine, was able to retain its name because
the displacement was virtually identical.
The six-cylinder models,
the 300 CE and 300 CE-24, were removed from the sales range and
replaced by the 320 CE. Its 3.2-litre four-valve engine, which had
been providing good service in the S-Class for the previous
one-and-a-half years, was developed from the existing 3.0-litre
four-valve unit of the M 104 series and bore the same series number,
but had changed dimensions for bore and stroke. All four- and
six-cylinders now had the same bore – an advantage for more
flexible, economical production. The rated output of 162 kW was the
same as that of the old four-valve unit, but it was reached at 5500
rpm and thus 900 rpm earlier; the peak torque was much higher and
was also shifted towards the lower engine speed range.
Apart from the new
engine range, the model refinements included distinctly upgraded
standard appointments for all models of the intermediate class. A
driver airbag and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors on both
sides were part of the standard specifications from October 1992 on.
Central locking and a five-speed transmission, which were included
in the basic equipment of the Saloon and Estate at this time, had
been standard equipment items in the Coupés from the very start of
their production.
A discreetly modified radiator
grille
In June 1993 all series
124 models were stylistically updated and adapted to the other model
series. The most striking feature of the modified vehicles was the
radiator grille, which was redesigned after the S-Class. In this
so-called integrated radiator the much narrower chrome surround
compared with the previous design is harmoniously integrated into
the bonnet, and the Mercedes star sits on the bonnet, as in the
S-Class Saloons. The changes to the light units could not escape
notice: the front direction indicators were given colourless glass
covers and the tail lights bichromatic covers which were coloured a
uniform white-grey in the area of the indicators and reversing
light. The yellow indicator light at the front and the rear was
produced by colour light bulbs. Changes also were made to the wheels
and the bumpers. The steel disc wheels got new hub caps in a
six-hole design, and the protective mouldings on the bumpers now
were painted the colour of the other detachable parts. In addition,
the protective strip on the rear bumper was extended to the wheel
cut-outs.
With the start of the
sale of the redesigned models, in June 1993 a new nomenclature came
into effect also for the 124 series. In analogy to the S-Class and
the new 202-series C-Class the intermediate class now was called the
E-Class. The model designations, too, now followed a modified system
in which letters document that a car belongs to a certain class. The
letter(s) were followed by a three-digit number which still was
based on engine displacement. The "E" formerly used as suffix
indicating an injection engine could be dropped since carburettor
engines now belonged to the past. Mercedes also dispensed with
codifying body variants like coupé and estate with a "C" and "T"
since they were obvious anyway. Under the new nomenclature the
two-doors now were called the E 220 Coupé and E 320 Coupé; the model
plate, however, only documented the class to which the model
belonged and the engine displacement.
For the Coupé aficionado
with sporting ambitions, from September 1993 the E 36 AMG, a more
powerful variant fitted with a 200 kW 3.6-litre four-valve engine
from AMG, was available. The power plant was created at AMG from the
M 104 production engine with 3.2 litres displacement. Its bore was
enlarged to 91 millimetres, the stroke to 92.4 millimetres. Standard
feature: a four-speed automatic transmission. The wheels and brakes
were adapted to the higher power and the final drive ratio was lower
(1:2.82). With discreetly enlarged chassis fairings the new flagship
Coupé of the 124 series also contrasted stylistically with its less
dynamic sister models. Front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron
were painted the colour of the car and harmoniously integrated into
the body shape; the picture was rounded off by standard-fit
light-alloy wheels (diameter: 43.18 centimetres) in AMG design.
To offer less
performance-minded customers a more reasonably priced entry-level
model the general sales range was extended in December 1994 by the E
200 Coupé, which delivered 100 kW and previously, since mid-1990,
exclusively had been built for export to Italy, Greece and Portugal.
Production of the
124-series E-Class Coupés came to an end in March 1996, nine years
after their debut at the Geneva Motor Show. For Coupé lovers this
meant hard times since the market launch of the successor models was
not planned until summer 1997. In all 141,498 units, or easily 40
percent more compared with the previous models, were produced in
Sindelfingen.
