When it comes to motorsport legends, few names resonate like the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 EVO II. Last year, HWA AG, the company renowned for its decades of motorsport excellence, offered a bold reinterpretation of that icon: the HWA EVO. But this isn’t just a nostalgic nod to the past—it’s a fully realized, thoroughly engineered modern sports car, with a price tag of €714,000 to match its exclusivity.
Unlike many limited-edition homages, the HWA EVO isn’t just about looks. The development program was unusually rigorous, matching—or even exceeding—the standards typically reserved for mass-produced vehicles. That’s no small feat for a car based on a 30-year-old chassis. Under the guidance of TÜV Süd, HWA carried out homologation crash tests using a purpose-built prototype chassis. Forward and rearward acceleration tests validated seat anchorages, while seat belt tension, ISOFIX anchorage, and rear seat load tests all passed with flying colors. In total, more than 60 tests—including brake, component, and emissions evaluations—confirmed that the HWA EVO is as safe and structurally sound as it is striking.
“Our goal was to create a vehicle that can proudly bear the name HWA,” says CEO Martin Marx. “After decades in top motorsport and complex road vehicle projects, it goes without saying that we demand the highest standards of quality, performance, and safety from the first road vehicle under the HWA banner.”
With safety checks behind them, the development team is now turning its attention to what really matters: the driving experience. Extensive testing has already taken place across a range of conditions, and future sessions will push the EVO through its paces on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, winter roads in northern Europe, and the sunny circuits of southern Spain. Bosch Engineering will join HWA at the Boxberg test track to fine-tune dynamics and performance, ensuring the car delivers a pure, engaging driving experience worthy of its heritage.
Production will be strictly limited to 100 units, all of which are already reserved—a testament to both HWA’s motorsport pedigree and the enduring allure of the 190E legend. The HWA EVO proves that even decades-old designs can be reimagined with modern engineering rigor, resulting in a collector’s piece that is as functional as it is beautiful.
Source: HWA
