Explore the £725K HWA 190E Evo II, a stunning reimagining of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo II, combining modern engineering with motorsport heritage.
Have you ever heard of HWA? This company has crafted a breathtaking tribute to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo II, complete with a powerful V6 engine. The original 190E 2.5-16 Evo II might not have been the fastest or most successful race car, but it has earned its status as an icon, thanks in part to its distinctive large wing and aggressive bodywork. Despite its mixed motorsport history, the 190E Evo II, especially with its big wing and flared wheel arches, has become a symbol of 1990s performance cars.
The Mercedes 190E was initially intended for rallying, with Cosworth enhancing its 2.0-liter engine. However, when it was clear the rear-wheel-drive car couldn’t compete with the all-conquering Audi Quattro, Mercedes shifted its focus. The 190E eventually became a road car, setting distance records at Nardò and making a memorable appearance at the 1984 Nürburgring Race of Champions, where Ayrton Senna stole the show.
By 1987, Mercedes was ready to take on the BMW M3 in the DTM series. The 190E’s engine was upgraded to 2.5 liters, and the car received aerodynamic enhancements, resulting in the Evo I. However, it wasn’t enough to dethrone the dominant BMW. The final evolution, the Evo II, arrived in 1990 with even more extreme aerodynamics and a 232bhp engine in road trim, though it still couldn’t immediately beat its rivals. It wasn’t until 1992 that the 190E Evo II finally won the DTM championship, marking the start of a golden era for Mercedes in the series.
Fast forward to today, and the original 190E Evo II is a highly sought-after classic, with prices soaring to around £350,000. Enter HWA, a company founded by Hans Werner Aufrecht, the “A” in AMG, who has a deep connection with Mercedes’ motorsport heritage. HWA is responsible for building and running a wide range of race cars for Mercedes, as well as developing engines for Pagani and other hypercars. Now, HWA has turned its attention to reimagining the 190E Evo II for a modern audience, creating the HWA Evo.
This isn’t just a restomod—it’s a complete reinvention. HWA starts with an original 190E, strips it down to the chassis, and then rebuilds it with their own front and rear subframes, crash structures, and a roll cage. The front axle is shifted forward by 50mm to improve weight distribution, and the engine—a Mercedes powerplant likely based on the 24-valve M276—is mounted behind the front axle for a front-mid-engine layout with 50:50 weight balance.
The HWA Evo features a twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering over 450bhp, and a six-speed manual gearbox. The chassis is strengthened, and the car is equipped with double wishbone suspension, six-piston brakes, and carbon fiber bodywork. The options list includes an extended range fuel tank, a fitted luggage set, and the Affalterbach package, which boosts power by 50bhp and adds carbon ceramic brakes, a sports exhaust, and a higher top speed.
This reimagined 190E Evo II is a masterful blend of modern technology and classic design. It might not carry a Mercedes badge, but its stance, sinister headlights, and motorsport-inspired sound make it unmistakably special. HWA plans to build just 100 of these cars, each priced at £725,000. It’s an incredible amount for a four-door saloon with less than 500bhp, but as the first car to wear the HWA badge, it’s clear that this is far more than just a restomod—it’s a masterpiece.
