This $800K Mercedes 190E Evo Restomod is set to compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours.

      Gruppe C Photography/HWA

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      It's easy to be skeptical about restomods. For instance, HWA’s revamped Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo II looks stunning, but it also comes with a price tag just below $800,000. Recently, there have been many similar projects that take collector cars, which already command high prices, and modify them for a guaranteed profit. However, HWA is approaching this differently. The 190E Evo II was not only a performance icon from the ’90s, but it was also a race car validated on Europe’s top circuits by HWA, which managed Mercedes’ DTM program. In keeping with that legacy, the company plans to race two versions of its new Evo in next year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours.

      These cars will compete in the SP-X class of the race, which is designated for vehicles that do not have to meet specific criteria. While HWA has not announced the drivers yet, Roland Asch and Klaus Ludwig, both experienced with Mercedes touring cars, will assist in their development on the Nordschleife. HWA mentioned in a press release that the cars’ “appropriate modifications in performance, weight, and safety systems” will be revealed later.

      For the announcement, HWA showcased a liveried Evo that pays tribute to the Sonax-sponsored vehicles they raced in the early ’90s. Ludwig drove a 190E resembling the one that won the 1992 DTM championship. While the new design is appealing, I have always preferred the version of this color scheme featuring silver and red instead of the flat white. It remains uncertain if this is the final look for race day next year, but the Evo does appear striking in bright sage as well.

      Driver Klaus Ludwig with an HWA Evo prototype. Gruppe C Photography/HWA

      The HWA Evo is powered by a three-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine producing 444 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed transaxle. To create one, HWA starts with an original 190E Cosworth donor vehicle, strips it down to the bare chassis, cleans it in a chemical bath, and then rebuilds everything from there. The suspension features a double-wishbone setup with electronically adjustable dampers all around, the body is made of carbon fiber, and the finished car weighs 2,980 pounds.

      HWA has already begun production of these vehicles and plans to build a total of only 100 units. According to the latest update from the company, there may still be a few slots available for custom builds, so you haven’t missed out yet. If you’re interested in this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours, the race starts Saturday at 10 a.m. Eastern.

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