Replacing the 190 series/W201 in June 1993, the C-Class sedan was Mercedes' entry-level model until 1997, when the company launched the A-Class.

[5] Development started on a replacement to the 190 series in October 1986, with design work commencing in 1987 under Bruno Sacco.

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 (142 kW; 190 hp).

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 of 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) compared with the C 220 Diesel, better fuel average and lower emissions.

*Sold in selected markets such as Greece, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia and Hungary The original W202 came standard in Germany with a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions optional.

At the launch the C-Class had a standard driver airbag, ABS and integrated side-impact protection; the front passenger airbag became standard from 1995 onwards, and from the same period Traction control (ETS in the 4-cylinder models, combined with limited slip differential (ASD) or ASR in the 6 cylinders models) was available as extra cost.

In 1997 ASR became standard in the C 280s equipped with the automatic transmission and in the C 36 AMG, as ETS in the 4-cylinder models, except for the C 180 and the C 220 Diesel.

The two basic models finally joined ASR in 1998, and, in 1999, the W202 was the first compact sedan to offer ESP as standard in all the range.

The black engine cover with the chrome AMG and Mercedes-Benz star logos is also very typical from that period in this market segment.

[citation needed] Transmission is an AMG-modified version of the five-speed automatic gearbox (722.6) found on 1998–2000 R129 SL 500.

[18] This would precede the series produced C 55 AMG which was introduced in 2005, based on the W203 platform and used a version of the same 5.4 litre M113 engine.

It was launched in the U.S. in November 1993, and unlike models in Europe, featured a third brake light, no specific trim levels, and side markers integrated into the front-turn signals.

Mercedes-Benz introduced a C-Class station wagon model in 1996 (type S202), internally designated T-Model (T for tourenwagen – touring car).