Although it tended to be overshadowed by the larger 300SL, the 190SL was a high- quality sports tourer noted for its refinement and elegance. When introduced in February 1954, it was thought to be a little slow, but by 1958 the engine output had been raised to 105 bhp, commendable for a 2-liter power unit running with little stress.
All this gave the car good performance with a top speed of 110 mph and 0 to 60 in 13.3 seconds. Contemporary road testers found third gear a useful overtaking ratio, taking the 190SL to over 75 mph.
Performance was described as sparkling with a reassuring level of safety. Fuel consumption of 20 to 26 mpg with a 14.3-gallon tank gave the car a cruising range of around 350 miles, emphasizing its essentially touring character.
Strictly a two-seater, the 190 has good luggage capacity with space behind the seats as well as a commodious trunk. The car’s stability is commendable and the ride is good even by modern standards. The car pictured here comes equipped with factory hard top and retains its original interior.