The Mercedes-Benz C230 was a variant of the W202 C-Class that debuted for the 1997 model year. The C 230 was built in sedan and station wagon body styles, although the estate was never sold in North America. This group of rear wheel drive cars were powered by Mercedes' M111 E23 engine. This 2.3L inline four generated 148hp, which it sent to the rear wheels via 5 speed manual and automatic transmission options. Production of the Mercedes-Benz C230 ended in 1998, although the model series would appear again in the next generation C-Class as the W203 Mercedes-Benz C230.