(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) – The 1990s come alive again in one of the most extreme and fascinating interpretations of recent times. In recent months, the HWA EVO.R based on the legendary Mercedes 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II has caused quite a stir. But what Germany can do, Italy has long been able to do. At least that’s what the company Vespera thinks.
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The Vespera Iride Evo 5 is an exclusive restomod, also inspired by the legendary Mercedes 190 EVO II, but reinterpreted with modern materials, extensively revised technology, and performance at true supercar level.
It was also created thanks to collaboration with motorcycle legend Loris Capirossi, a great car enthusiast and collector. Overall, this sports car combines a widened carbon body, a 765-hp turbo inline-six engine, and fully handcrafted production, where each example becomes unique thanks to a very carefully developed customization program.
Extremely wide and with golden accents
At first glance, the connection to the Mercedes 190 EVO II, the iconic sedan created in 1990 for homologation in the DTM Group A, is unmistakable. The proportions and character of the original remain, but everything has been interpreted in a modern way.
The original Mercedes body was completely redesigned and is made entirely of carbon. Added to this are track widths widened by a full 10 centimeters per side, resulting in a total increase of 20 cm compared to the original 190. The result is an even more muscular appearance, emphasized by new side skirts, air outlets behind the wheel arches, and the huge rear wing.
Photo series: Vespera Iride Evo 5 (Mercedes 190 Evo II Restomod)
At the presentation, the model was shown in the noble Verde Montreal color with golden details, but every customer can choose an exclusive paint finish. Once this is decided, the color is removed from the available palette so that no other Vespera is built in the same paint.
The appearance is rounded off by full-LED headlights and the iconic OZ Rally Racing wheels, which establish another connection to the world of motorsport. The icing on the cake is a golden emblem instead of the star on the radiator.
Now with 3.0 liters displacement
While the design still somewhat remains true to tradition, practically everything changes under the hood. The original Evo II used the M-102 four-cylinder with 2,463 cubic centimeters displacement. A high-revving 16V engine with 235 hp.
The technical basis is the well-known Mercedes inline-six M 103, originally a 2.6-liter naturally aspirated engine in the 190. But there were also 3.0-liter models in the 124 and 126 series. The technicians at Vespera also rely on three liters displacement, have reinforced the unit with numerous forged components, and additionally equipped it with turbocharging.
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The numbers are impressive: 765 hp, 910 Nm of torque, and a 6-speed manual transmission. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels, supported by a limited-slip differential. This allows the Iride Evo 5 to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 299 km/h. And all this with a curb weight of only 1,450 kg.
The driving dynamics were also designed for a particularly authentic driving experience. The braking system comes from the 190 EVO II, while the manual transmission is an increasingly rare choice in the modern supercar segment, intended to involve the driver more with every gear change.
Interior still in development
The interior is still in the final stages of development, but Vespera has already outlined the philosophy of the project.
The interior will combine carbon, leather, and Alcantara, with tailored equipment details and a high degree of customization. The goal is to preserve the analog character of the vehicle without compromising on the materials and craftsmanship quality of a modern handcrafted grand tourer.
As with the exterior, the interior can also be configured according to customer wishes, making each example practically unique.
The price has not been officially announced and will only be disclosed to genuinely interested customers. A decision that fits the philosophy of the project: Every Vespera Iride Evo 5 is built to order and made as a one-off for particularly demanding collectors.
More about the extreme 190 from HWA:
HWA EVO R: Strictly limited track tool with 560 hp unveiled
HWA Evo: Test program at Nürburgring and on the Nordschleife
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