- The ultimate 190E restomod is priced from €714,000
- Power comes from a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with up to 493 hp and 405 lb-ft (549 Nm) of torque.
- Compared to the original 190E 2.5-16 Evo II, this new model sits significantly lower and is much wider.
It’s hard to keep up with how many new and enticing restomods are unveiled but few have attracted as much attention as the new Evo from HWA.
We were provided our first taste of the car late last year through a series of sketches and renderings before the car was unveiled in full last week. Soon after the car’s online debut, HWA brought the Evo to Ambri Airport in Switzerland for a series of demonstration runs, giving us our first opportunity to see – and hear – this stunning creation on the move.
Read: HWA’s Modern Mercedes 190E Evo Gets Twin-Turbo V6, Carbon Skin, And KW Dampers
Unlike the original Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II, the HWA Evo does not have a high-revving naturally-aspirated 2.6-liter four-cylinder. Instead, HWA has installed a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that pumps out an impressive 444 hp and 405 lb-ft (549 Nm) of torque or 493 hp and 405 lb-ft (549 Nm) when fitted with the optional Affalterbach package.
As much as we love power, and the Evo has a lot of it, we had concerns about the sound of the twin-turbo V6. However, HWA has managed to develop an exhaust system that gives it a lovely, throaty soundtrack, unlike any other modern V6 we’ve heard. Indeed, it sounds more like a classic race car than a sedan with a new Mercedes engine.
The new Evo debuted in Switzerland alongside an original 190E 2.5-16 Evo II. Compared to the car that inspired the whole project, the new car sits considerably lower and is also much wider, giving it an even more impressive stance on the road.
HWA plans to build just 100 examples of the Evo, each commanding a starting price of €714,000 (~$767,000) before taxes. That’s some serious coin, so here’s hoping that the driving experience matches the dramatic looks.