Offered in gasoline-engine and diesel form in the 1980s, Mercedes-Benz's smallest, least-expensive sedan came only with a 6-cylinder gasoline engine in 1990. The 2.6-liter 6-cylinder engine, borrowed from the midsize 260E sedan, developed 158 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 4-speed automatic optional. This "Baby Benz" was the only model that offered such a choice in transmissions. Both a driver-side airbag and antilock braking were standard.