In 1994, Mercedes-Benz signaled a new beginning with the introduction of its latest model. Following the 1993 DTM championship loss, the new C-Class replaced the 190E (Type W 201) as the factory vehicle. The loss to newcomer Alfa Romeo, who won the title with a six-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and driver Nicola Larini, represented a significant setback, concluding the season with a score of 261 to 204 points after eleven DTM weekends. Mr. Asch was the only competitor who was able to maintain a relatively close pace, ultimately finishing in second place overall. The 190, which was first introduced in the DTM in 1986 with its four-cylinder, four-valve engine, was no longer competitive. The new C-Class (Type W 202), introduced to the global market in autumn 1993, was developed in parallel with a racing version for Class 1, becoming the new flagship. The six factory drivers, including Roland Asch, switched to the six-cylinder car, which is officially rated at 430 hp.
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In contrast to Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz used a rear-wheel drive configuration.
What initially appeared to be a disadvantage in theory proved to be a key to success during the 1994 DTM season, which included twelve events. With rear-wheel drive, traction control, optimal tire configuration, and highly experienced drivers at the wheel, the previously unsuccessful team was able to make up for their loss. Klaus Ludwig secured his third DTM title ahead of schedule at the eleventh of twelve DTM events in 1994, marking his second title with Mercedes-Benz. Brand colleague Jörg van Ommen, driving the Zakspeed car in the distinctive “Promarkt” yellow livery, finished second overall, while his teammate Kurt Thiim came in fifth. The demonstration of power was a success, with Roland Asch rounding out the overall results in sixth place.
Four Mercedes-Benz cars occupied the top six championship positions, demonstrating the effectiveness of the conservative strategy. The fundamental concept of the AMG Mercedes-Benz C-Class DTM, as the new construction is officially called, was relatively conservative. Despite the Class 1 technical regulations, which were adopted by five automobile manufacturers in 1992 and allowed for extensive freedoms, the engineers in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim and at traditional partner AMG in Affalterbach were hesitant to push the limits in the first year of the new C-Class. The design was based on that of a classic touring car, featuring a production body shell and a welded steel tube safety cage as the supporting structure.
A year later, the decision was made to switch to a spaceframe chassis as the main structural element, which increased torsional rigidity by 300 percent compared to the first-series C-Class. However, this also marked the beginning of the prototype era, which ultimately proved to be unsustainable. In 1996, the international successor series ITC became financially unaffordable. It took three years to return to the old values before the DTM returned to the racetracks in 2000, still based on spaceframe construction. The 1994 DTM season is notable for marking the last year of the classic “steel body shell chassis” in the series, ten years after the much more production-related beginnings with the German Production Car Championship, the predecessor of the DTM, on March 11, 1984, in Zolder, Belgium.
The interpretation of the engine regulations in 1994 was also highly strategic. The regulation required that engines be derived from a production engine in the respective brand’s portfolio. Mercedes-Benz theoretically removed two cylinders from an eight-cylinder engine in the S-Class to create a six-cylinder. In reality, it was a new, purebred racing engine, which immediately produced about 60 PS more than the previous four-cylinder. The significant improvement, however, was its much better drivability. Due to the lack of all-wheel drive, other factors must be taken into account. A traction control system that perfectly harmonizes with the tires provides the balance in the 4×4 competition between defending champion Alfa Romeo and challenger Opel, along with experienced personnel at the wheel.
In preparation for the 1994 DTM season, AMG-Mercedes-Benz tested the newly developed C-Class, built to Class 1 regulations, at the Belgian Circuit Zolder. Roland Asch, who established the factory entry of a Mercedes-Benz in the DTM in 1988 with the 190 E 2.3-16 model, was again selected to serve as test driver. While the actual factory vehicles were still in the final stages of completion, the first fully completed chassis, RS 94 206, was used for the test.
The vehicle was equipped with a rack-and-pinion steering system with power assistance, although the system was not yet fully developed. The power steering pump pressure was insufficient, resulting in inadequate steering assistance and a loss of control, which led to the vehicle spinning and hitting one of the barriers. For the DTM season opener in Zolder, Roland Asch required a replacement vehicle, while the repair of the damaged vehicle took longer than exptected. He was provided with the chassis RS 94 211, which the Ford dealer from Ammerbuch raced throughout the 1994 season. Roland Asch and Bernd Schneider are competing with an innovative “flip-flop” paint finish from Standox. Depending on how the sun shines, the two “silver arrows”, which are no longer silver, shine in different hues.
Roland Asch participated in the 1994 DTM Season with the race number #3.
| Date | Race | Driver | Position Race 1 | Position Race 2 |
| 08.04.1994 | Zolder | Roland Asch | 2nd | 2nd |
| 22.04.1994 | Hockenheim | Roland Asch | DNF | 11th |
| 06.05.1994 | Nürburgring | Roland Asch | 12th | 6th |
| 20.05.1994 | Mugello | Roland Asch | 7th | 4th |
| 02.06.1994 | Nürburgring | Roland Asch | 6th | 4th |
| 24.06.1994 | Norisring | Roland Asch | DNF | DNF |
| 05.07.1994 | Donington | Roland Asch | 4th | 8th |
| 23.07.1994 | Diepholz | Roland Asch | 2nd | 11th |
| 21.08.1994 | Nürburgring | Roland Asch | 4th | 3rd |
| 03.09.1994 | Berlin | Roland Asch | 5th | 2nd |
| 06.09.1994 | Alemannenring | Roland Asch | 8th | 7th |
| 07.10.1994 | Hockenheim | Roland Asch | 8th | 9th |
Roland Asch finished the 1994 DTM season with an impressive 6th place overall. His fellow Mercedes driver, Klaus Ludwig, secured the championship title in an AMG Mercedes C-Class DTM. Notably, four of the top six positions in the championship were claimed by Mercedes C-Class DTM cars.
In the following DTM year, 1995 the young driver Bernd Mayländer was provided with the chassis RS 94 211 with the race number #23. The second season in the Deutsche Tourenwagen-Meisterschaft, the last before the transition to the ITC, or International Touring Car Championship, went without interruption.
| Date | Race | Driver | Position Race 1 | Position Race 2 |
| 23.04.1995 | Hockenheim | Bernd Mayländer | 13th | DNF |
| 06.05.1995 | Berlin | Bernd Mayländer | DNS | 18th |
| 20.05.1995 | Mugello | Bernd Mayländer | 12th | 10th |
| 02.06.1995 | Helsinki | Bernd Mayländer | 9th | 9th |
| 24.06.1995 | Norisring | Bernd Mayländer | 16th | 7th |
| 07.07.1995 | Donington | Bernd Mayländer | 11th | 8th |
| 21.07.1995 | Diepholz | Bernd Mayländer | 9th | 10th |
| 06.08.1995 | Estoril | Bernd Mayländer | 12th | 13th |
| 20.08.1995 | Nürburgring | Bernd Mayländer | 11th | 11th |
| 17.09.1995 | Alemannenring | Bernd Mayländer | 13th | DNF |
| 08.10.1995 | Magny-Cours | Bernd Mayländer | DNF | 12th |
| 16.10.1995 | Hockenheim | Bernd Mayländer | 9th | 8th |
Bernd Mayländer finished the 1995 DTM season in 20th place and the ITC season in 19th place overall. Bernd Schneider, driving an AMG Mercedes C-Class DTM, won both championships that year. Mercedes Benz won the constructors’ championship ahead of Alfa Romeo and Opel.
In 1996, the last racing touring car built on a steel body shell chassis of Class 1 was only used as a racing taxi. In 1998, it was sold by Mercedes-Benz Classic to an UK-based collector before it was purchased by a Swiss owner.
In 2013, Ludwig Zechetmayr of Race Art Motorsport in Neuhaus am Inn, took over the original vehicle. On September 26th of the same year, a test drive was done at the Hockenheimring with Roland Asch participating as the original driver. In November 2013, the current owner, an experienced connoisseur and collector of historic DTM touring cars of the Mercedes-Benz brand, acquired the chassis RS 94 211, which was still in the “Point S” sponsor livery established by Bernd Mayländer in 1995. Mr. Zechetmayr restored the bodywork to the original livery presented by Roland Asch in 1994 in the “Flipflop” version by paint manufacturer Standox. Prior to participating in three regularity tests as part of the “Touring Car Revivals” in 2019, Team Stadler Motorsport in Hann. Münden overhauled not only the complete drive unit but also installed a brand-new KW racing suspension.
On Sunday, May 30, 2021, the recently upgraded package underwent a brief functionality check at Bilster Berg. The shakedown was documented with photos and videos and subsequently published. The test was successfully completed without any technical issues. This was the final drive of the 29-year-old DTM witness for the time being.
The C-Class’s debut and subsequent performance in the 1994 DTM season established it as a dominant competitor in the touring car championship arena. The success of the vehicle was a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to innovation and excellence in motorsports.
The history of chassis RS 94 211 serves as a testament to its enduring significance in the realm of motorsports. From its initial development and competitive successes to its meticulous preservation by dedicated collectors, this vehicle exemplifies the legacy of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in touring car racing. The ongoing care and restoration work guarantee that RS 94 211 will remain a celebrated piece of racing history.
