- HWA Evo restomod channels the legendary Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II
- Deliveries start in late 2025 and only 100 examples are planned
- Pricing starts at $753,600
Original examples of the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II homologation special of the early 1990s can fetch more than half a million dollars today at auction, but HWA wants to build a modern homage that will cost even more. Much more.
The German motorsports and engineering outfit founded by one of the founders of AMG is working on a restomod dubbed the HWA Evo. First announced in 2023, the car channels the original 190 E homologation special, using a hand-selected donor chassis of a run-of-the-mill 190 E. Only 100 examples are planned, and you can still purchase one, assuming you can afford the starting price of 714,000 euros (approximately $753,600).
HWA Evo
While the price is steep, HWA has extensively reengineered the car with the latest materials and know-how to deliver modern levels of safety, comfort, and of course performance.
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Each vehicle starts off as a bare chassis, after which HWA reinforces the central structure and replaces the front and rear sections with bespoke subframes designed in-house. This enables the new suspension to be mounted directly to the chassis, helping to maximize rigidity. According to HWA, around 75% of the chassis components are new, helping to double the torsional stiffness of the original design.
HWA Evo
The suspension is another area that has benefited from HWA’s decades of motorsports experience. Much of the design is bespoke, including the wishbones which are similar to what HWA uses for the DTM race cars it builds. The adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars are from KW Suspension and H&R, respectively.
HWA also worked with Bosch to develop the car’s bespoke ESP and ABS systems, as well as a bespoke ECU—something that is unusual for a car with a production run of only 100 units.
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HWA Evo
Under the hood, HWA has gone with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, as opposed to the Cosworth-developed 2.5-liter inline-4 engine of the original 190 E Evo II. Thanks to the front axle being moved forward by 50 millimeters, and the transmission, a 6-speed manual, being moved to the rear, the engineers were able to install the engine low and as far back as physically possible in the engine bay.
According to HWA, this front-mid-engined, transaxle layout results in a 50/50 weight distribution. Other performance targets include an output of around 500 hp and a curb weight of less than 3,000 pounds, the latter made possible by a body made from carbon fiber. Buyers will also be able to opt for lighter carbon-ceramic brake rotors as an alternative to the standard steel rotors. The brakes are from Brembo.
HWA Evo
Deliveries of the HWA Evo are scheduled to start in late 2025. The build slot for the first example was snapped up during an auction held in July in Germany, with the final price paid, including fees and taxes, a whopping 1.3 million euros ($1.37 million).
HWA is working with a company called Curated to market the remaining build slots. Curated is a U.S. company specializing in the sale and restoration of classic cars from the 1970s up to the early 2000s.