Vespera Automobili has unveiled a reworked Mercedes-Benz 190E Evolution II to compete with a similar project from HWA.
The move highlights a growing trend of high-end "restomods" targeting the rarest homologation specials of the 1990s. Because the original 190E Evolution II was a limited DTM racing special, it has become a primary target for collectors seeking modern performance in a classic chassis.
Only 502 road cars of the original model were ever built [1]. This scarcity has driven the market for high-end restorations and modifications. Vespera Automobili is entering this space just as HWA prepares to deliver its first customer cars [2].
Price points for these vehicles are significant. HWA's version is reported to cost $770,000 [3], while the first HWA Evo is valued at $760,000 [1]. Vespera Automobili's entry aims to outperform these versions by offering a more aggressive mechanical package.
"The Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II is no ordinary W201 sedan," a reporter for MSN Autos said [1]. The car's status as a homologation special makes it a distinct candidate for the level of investment seen in these Italian and German projects.
Vespera Automobili is positioning its Italian-built version as a direct challenger to the HWA model. The company has focused on enhancing the performance metrics of the original W201 platform, ensuring the car maintains its classic silhouette while upgrading the internals for modern driving standards.
"Right as HWA readies its first customer cars, Italian firm Vespera Automobili has pulled the covers off its own reworked Evo II," a reporter for CarScoops said [2].
“Only 502 road cars of the original model were ever built.”
The competition between Vespera Automobili and HWA illustrates the shift of the automotive collector market toward 'restomods'—where vintage aesthetics are paired with modern engineering. By targeting a car with only 502 original units, these firms are catering to an ultra-high-net-worth demographic that values both racing pedigree and contemporary reliability, effectively turning 30-year-old homologation specials into new luxury assets.
