Mercedes-Benz left no stone unturned when it came to redesigning its smallest, highest volume sedan for the 21st century. Indeed, the world's oldest motor vehicle manufacturer spent no fewer than four years and $4 billion developing a replacement for the almost seven-year-old W202 version, of which nearly two million were sold worldwide. And the result is the largest, most sporting, prettiest and best value C-class ever offered.
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W202 Mercedes-Benz C180 Classic
Released: March 1994
Ended: October 2000
Family Tree: C-ClassThe December 1994 release of Mercedes-Benz's first compact sedan, the W201 C-class known as the 190E, began a 17-year rivalry with BMW's 3 Series that continues today. It ran for almost 10 years before being replaced by the W202 C-class in February 1994. The C180 Classic arrived a month later in March 1994, continuing for almost seven years before being replaced in November 2000 by the all-new W203 version tested here.
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