This Mercedes 190E Evo II restomod will cost you $1.3m

The founder of Mercedes-Benz’s performance department, AMG, is building a restomod based on one of the very cars his company helped develop – the 190E 2.5-16 Evo II. But if you want one, it’s going to cost you. A lot.

Just 100 examples of these “state-of-the-art” sedans will be made by HWA in Germany, each priced at an eye-watering €714,000, or a touch under $NZ1.3 million.

What makes this restomod so special isn’t just because it’ll resemble one of the world’s most iconic cars that took part in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM), but also because of what’s under its skin.

While the original 190E Evo II is fitted with a 2.5-litre 16-valve four-cylinder that makes 173kW, Hagerty reports that the HWA EVO will come with a twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 331kW. However, the exact specifications are still being finalised so this may be subject to change.

It’ll also feature “future-oriented” technologies with regard to its chassis, brakes, aerodynamics, and safety.

Based on initial design sketches, the look of the original 190 E Evo II hasn’t been chopped and changed too much apart from some minor alterations like shaved rear door handles, a restyled side skirt, and larger rear fenders.

It’s safe to say this 190E Evo II restomod is in good hands as none other than 3D artist Khyzyl Saleem, otherwise known as @the_kyza on social media, is lending his expertise to the project.

“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,” says Hans Werner Aufrecht, founder of HWA.

Production of the HWA EVO is slated for the end of 2025, so it’s probably a good idea to start saving now.