Engines
The C-Class debuted with a complete lineup of multi-valve engines. The family of four-cylinder petrol units, called M111, debuted in the C 180 (1.8 L, 122 PS), C 200 (2.0 L, 136 PS and C 220 (2.2 L, 150 PS, the only four-cylinder of the range sold in the U.S.). In 1997 the C 220 was replaced by the C 230, enlarged to 2.3 L displacement but with the same output, although with torque increased to 220 Nm. The C 280 was the high-end model of the class, with a four-valve-per-cylinder straight-six engine, capable of reaching 193 PS.
Four-cylinder diesel models were equipped with the same OM601 engine of the 190, in the 2.0 L. Many of these diesel variants were sold as taxis, due to their low fuel consumption and strong reliability. There were also more powerful OM605 five-cylinder engines which were available in naturally aspirated (C 250 D) and turbocharged (C 250 TD) forms. The turbodiesel was introduced in 1995 and is one of the novelties in the engine range available from this year. The most important was a supercharged version of the M111 straight four, the C 230 Kompressor, using a Roots-type supercharger to generate 193 PS at 5300 rpm: Mercedes-Benz was once again utilizing supercharger technology after 50 years. Due to the tax law in Italy and Portugal, models in those countries featured a supercharged version of the smaller 2.0 L (C 200 Kompressor), which had a similar output of the C 230 Kompressor.
The 1997 diesel models featured the OM611, equipped with a common rail direct injection system (co-developed with Bosch). The new model was named C 220 CDI, and had an improved output, up by 30 PS compared with the C 220 Diesel, better fuel average and lower emissions. Also, the inline six engines were replaced by a family of V6, the M112. The new engines featured SOHC heads instead of the previous DOHC, three valves per cylinder instead of four, and twin sparkplugs. The four-cylinder C 230 was replaced by the C 240 (2.4 L V6 engine) and the straight-six C 280 changed over to a V6 of identical displacement. These changes reduced emissions and improved fuel consumption, without sacrificing power (the C 280 in fact had a slight, 4 PS increase with the change).
In the last four years of production, the W202 received a few changes in the choices of engine. In 1998, a less powerful version of the 2.2 L turbodiesel was added, called C 200 CDI, which replaced the C 220 Diesel. In May 2000 (after the sedan had already been discontinued, so only applying to the T-model), the C 200 Kompressor's output was cut to 163 PS, the C 240 displacement was enlarged from 2.4 L to 2.6 L, but output remained at 170 PS. The C 180 got a 2.0 L engine at this time as well.
