HWA Evo R Turns the Legendary Mercedes 190E Evo II Into a 552 HP Track Monster
Table of Contents
If you grew up watching DTM racing in the 1990s, the original Mercedes Benz 190E 2.5 16 Evo II probably sits somewhere high on your dream car list. Big wing. Boxy stance. Aggressive arches. It looked like a touring car escaped onto public roads.
Now that icon is back in a very different form.
The new HWA Evo R takes the already wild HWA Evo project and pushes it fully into race car territory. This one is not road legal. It is built for the track only, and honestly, it looks like something that escaped directly from the Nürburgring paddock.
Only 15 units will be built worldwide.
What Exactly Is the HWA Evo R?
The HWA Evo R is a more hardcore evolution of the HWA Evo, which itself is a modern reinterpretation of the legendary Mercedes 190E Evo II.
Instead of building a simple restomod, HWA basically rebuilt the car from the ground up into a modern performance machine while keeping the classic silhouette alive.
The Evo R goes even further by taking inspiration directly from the race car HWA is entering in the Nürburgring 24 Hour race.
This is not some cosmetic package with stickers and louder exhaust tips. The upgrades here are serious.
HWA Has Real Motorsport DNA
A lot of companies talk about racing heritage. HWA actually has it.
The company was founded by one of AMG’s original founders after Mercedes Benz acquired AMG. Over the years, HWA worked closely with Mercedes in several racing programs, including:
• DTM
• GT3 racing
• Formula E
HWA also contributed engineering work to projects like:
• Pagani Huayra R V12 development
• De Tomaso P72 chassis engineering
So when HWA builds something track focused, people pay attention.
Twin Turbo V6 With 552 Horsepower
The original 190E Evo II used a naturally aspirated four cylinder engine producing 232 horsepower.
The HWA Evo R lives in a completely different universe.
Power comes from a heavily revised version of Mercedes Benz’s M276 3.0 litre twin turbocharged V6 engine.
Here are the numbers:
| Specification | HWA Evo R |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 |
| Power | 552 hp |
| Torque | 494 lb ft |
| Transmission | 6 Speed Sequential Transaxle |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
That is nearly supercar level power in something shaped like a classic DTM sedan.
The engine sends power to the rear wheels through a six speed sequential transaxle, which immediately tells you this car means business.
The Aero Looks Completely Unhinged
The standard HWA Evo already looked aggressive. The Evo R basically removes all remaining restraint.
Changes include:
• Wider front and rear arches
• Larger brake cooling vents
• New fender extraction slots
• Revised rear wing with dual section design
• Lightweight Ronal racing wheels
• New NACA duct below the C pillar
• Polycarbonate windows for weight reduction
The rear wing alone looks like it could generate enough downforce to pin a small aircraft to the runway.
And honestly, that is exactly why this thing works visually.
It still looks unmistakably like a 190E Evo II, but now it has proper modern race car aggression.
Inside It Is Pure Race Car
The cabin is stripped down and focused entirely on track driving.
HWA fitted:
• Carbon fiber racing seat
• FIA homologated roll cage
• Racing fuel cell
• Air jack system
• Racing exhaust system
• Six way adjustable suspension
• AP Racing competition brakes
• Movable pedal box
This is the kind of setup you normally see in professional endurance racing.
Surprisingly, HWA will still offer a few comfort features for customers who plan to spend long days at track events.
Optional extras include:
• Air conditioning
• Passenger seat
• Drinks system
• Endurance spec lighting package
That drinks system sounds funny at first, but after several hot laps around Nürburgring, most owners will probably appreciate it.
Nürburgring Inspired and Nürburgring Proven
The Evo R exists because of HWA’s Nürburgring racing program.
The company developed this model alongside the Evo.R race car that will compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hour race. That connection matters because it gives the road car project genuine motorsport credibility instead of fake marketing language.
A lot of manufacturers love adding “track inspired” badges these days.
This thing actually comes from the track.
Not Road Legal and Extremely Limited
HWA will build only 15 examples of the Evo R globally.
The car is also not road legal, which immediately makes it more special for collectors and hardcore track enthusiasts.
Owners will receive support directly from HWA technicians, access to dedicated parts services, and invitations to exclusive track events.
That level of factory style support matters when you own something this rare and specialized.
Final Thoughts
The HWA Evo R feels like one of those cars made purely because passionate engineers wanted to build something outrageous.
It combines classic Mercedes touring car nostalgia with modern motorsport engineering in a way that feels authentic instead of forced.
Most modern performance cars chase touchscreen technology and luxury gimmicks.
The Evo R does not care about any of that.
It cares about lap times, downforce, driver feel, and making grown car enthusiasts feel like teenagers again.
And honestly, that might be exactly why this thing is already legendary.
Sources and References
Official Sources
- HWA Official Website
Official page for the HWA EVO project, company background, and technical development. - HWA Nürburgring 24H Announcement
Official HWA press release about the Evo.R Nürburgring racing program. - 24H Nürburgring Official Website
Official Nürburgring race coverage featuring the HWA EVO.R race car project. - Pagani Official Website
Official Pagani article mentioning HWA engineering involvement in high performance projects.
Trusted Automotive Media Sources
- Car and Driver HWA Evo R Coverage
Detailed US-focused coverage with specs, performance details, and Nürburgring context. - CarBuzz HWA EVO Story
Additional reporting about HWA’s future performance car projects and development plans.
Extra Background References
- Pagani Huayra Background Reference
Useful background reference covering HWA’s connection with Pagani performance engineering. - Mercedes 190E Evo II History Reference
Covers the history of the original 190E Evo II and HWA’s modern reinterpretation.
HWA Evo R Questions
1What is the HWA Evo R? ⌄
The HWA Evo R is a track-only version of the HWA Evo, which itself reimagines the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5 16 Evo II. It takes the classic DTM-era shape and turns it into a modern race car.
2How much power does the HWA Evo R make? ⌄
It uses a heavily revised 3.0 litre twin turbo V6 that makes 552 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque. That power goes to the rear wheels through a six speed sequential transaxle.
3Is the HWA Evo R road legal? ⌄
No, it is not road legal. HWA built it as a track-only machine for serious driving events and racing use.
4How many HWA Evo R cars will be built? ⌄
Only 15 examples will be built worldwide. That makes it extremely limited and very much a collector-level machine.
5What makes the HWA Evo R different from the standard HWA Evo? ⌄
The Evo R gets a wider body, bigger brake cooling vents, fender extraction slots, polycarbonate windows, lightweight Ronal racing wheels, and a revised rear wing. It also leans much harder into race car hardware.
6What is inside the HWA Evo R cabin? ⌄
The cabin includes a carbon-fiber racing seat, FIA-homologated roll cage, racing fuel cell, air jack system, six-way adjustable suspension, AP Racing brakes, and a movable pedal box. HWA can also offer air conditioning, a passenger seat, and a drinks system.
