► Inspired by Merc 190E 2.5-16 Evo II
► Restomod that’s full of modern tech
► HWA says it’s limited to just 100 units
What do you get if you combine one of the most iconic cars of the 80s and early 90s with all the technology of 2024? Meet the new HWA EVO – a husky, clench-fisted homage to the iconic Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II DTM racer. Limited to 100 units and priced at €714,000, it promises to be one of the most extreme restomods we’ve ever seen.
In fact, company CTO Gordian von Schöning is hesitant to call the EVO a simple ‘restomod’ because of the sheer amount of technology HWA engineers have packed in: ‘In order to fully realise our vision for the car we are going to unparalleled lengths in terms of design, engineering and suppliers,’ he said.
‘Not only have we called upon our own decades of experience at the cutting edge of motorsport and supercar production, but we have leveraged techniques and partnerships that would normally only be found at major OEM level to ensure our car is worthy of the EVO name.’
What’s the technical specs then?
He’s not joking. Each HWA EVO starts with a W201 chassis, inspected by HWA engineers – but after that things take a turn. The front and rear portions of the original steel chassis are removed, replaced with HWA-designed high-strength steel and aluminium sub-frames for improved rigidity. The A, B and C pillars have also been strengthened. Altogether 75% of the car is replaced, resulting in double the torsional stiffness. After all the modifications the EVO has similar stiffness to a modern supercar.
To get the 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 to sit as low as possible, the front-axle has been moved forward 50mm, and the six-speed manual box has been moved to the rear. The result is an engine with an improved CoG, and 50/50 weight distribution.
After that, HWA engineers add DTM-derived wishbones and machined wheel carriers. The brakes are Brembo steels or ceramics (customers decide) and KW dampers are also used – electric or manually adjustable depending on which configuration customers go for. Finally, H&R roll bars are thrown in.
There’s also a Bosch, HWA co-developed ESP system that includes ABS as well as a bespoke engine ECU.
Finally, the all-carbonfibre bodywork you see here is fitted last.
What is HWA?
HWA is a German engineering and racing-specialist firm with deep ties to AMG and the motorsport wing of Mercedes-Benz.
The company name is an initialism of its founder, Hans-Werner Aufrecht, who started HWA in Affalterbach, Germany, as a managing team for Mercedes’ motorsport interests in 1999.
Affalterbach has been the hometown of engine specialists AMG since 1976, a company also founded by Aufrecht in 1967.
Why the EVO now?
The EVO was drawn up to celebrate HWA’s 25th birthday and many years of success with Mercedes-AMG. In collaboration with the auto restoration group Curated, the EVO pays tribute to a lauded classic with which Mercedes-AMG enjoyed many DTM victories in the 1990s and a championship win with Klaus Ludwig at the wheel in 1992.
‘The EVO II was a design icon of the early 1990s and set benchmarks in terms of style. Our idea was to reinterpret this design,’ Hans-Werner Aufrecht added.
‘With Curated, we wanted a partner at our side for this project who knows the market for such cars inside out and believes in the HWA EVO. I think we are creating the best conditions for the HWA EVO to be successful.’