Racing Pedigree: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II

If automotive history has taught us nothing else, it is that racing improves the breed. Technology that was once the exclusive preserve of Formula One, IndyCar, and the World Endurance Championship can now be found on road-going models. The same was true of International Group A Touring Cars. The category spawned homologation specials like the Ford Sierra Cosworth, Nissan’s R32 GTR, and the original BMW M3. We can add the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II to the list as Mercedes sought to extract the maximum performance from what was its smallest production car at the time. Only 502 examples of the Evolution II ever left the line, and this is your chance to own a pristine example. The seller has listed the Mercedes for auction here at RM Sotheby’s in Monaco. It is scheduled to go under the hammer on April 25th with a guide price of €260,000 – €350,000. At the current exchange rate, those figures equate to approximately US$306,000 – US$412,000. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this German barnstormer.

Mercedes-Benz enjoys a long and successful motorsport history, and it intended to continue that story by entering the Group B category of the World Rally Championship with its 190 E. However, the arrival of the Audi Quattro dramatically changed the landscape, and Mercedes saw no value in competing when it stood little chance of victory. Therefore, it turned its attention to International Group A Touring Cars, which possessed some extremely strict eligibility rules. Manufacturers had to produce at least 5,000 base-model examples to qualify, but could also introduce homologation variants with a minimum production total of 500 vehicles. The result of this thinking saw the arrival of the 190E 2.3-16, which proved to be a strong Group A class contender. Wishing to extract more performance, it developed the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution, which debuted in 1989. The 1990 model year brought the ultimate variant to the market, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II. Developed specifically for the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, or DTM, it was obvious from even a cursory glance that Mercedes was serious about racing success. The enormous spoilers and fender flares aren’t cosmetic; They are designed to extract the maximum performance from the 190 E by increasing downforce and allowing the car to ride on wider rubber. Unlike the urban legend that states that Henry Ford said that Model T buyers could order their car in any color as long as it was Black, Evolution II buyers all received the same shade of Blue Black Metallic paint. This car presents superbly, unsurprisingly, since the seller undertook a cosmetic restoration between 2021 and 2023. The paint is consistent across the exterior, with no cosmetic shortcomings. The spoilers and other aerodynamic additions are in as-new condition, and the beautiful 17″ alloy wheels are spotless.

Most people would take one look at a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and immediately dismiss it as nothing special. However, Mercedes-Benz collaborated with Cosworth to produce a genuine giant-killer. Based on its M102 engine block, Cosworth developed a highly-efficient DOHC cylinder head with sixteen of the largest valves it could physically fit. The results justified the effort, with the Evolution II placing 232hp and 181 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. The rest of the mechanical components received plenty of attention, from its dog-leg five-speed manual transmission to its homologated 3.27 rear end, adjustable suspension, and the enormous Brembo four-piston disc brakes. Mercedes quoted a top speed of 155mph for the Evolution II, although it is widely acknowledged that with the engine’s rev limiter removed, it would have been considerably faster. This Evo is mechanically original, but the seller replaced the radiators and injectors and overhauled the rear end and engine oil cooler during the cosmetic refresh. It has been driven sparingly since work ended, but potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition.

Although considered a homologation special focused on performance, the Evolution II’s interior still included plenty of creature comforts. Apart from the beautiful Antracite leather trim, this car features air conditioning, power windows, power locks, heated power front seats, and an updated stereo. The only other addition is the sports wheel, though the seller includes the original for those who prefer authenticity. This 190 E isn’t a low-mile vehicle, with its odometer showing 80,000 kilometers (approximately 50,000 miles). However, the lack of wear and physical damage suggests it has been treated respectfully since Day One. Close inspection may reveal minor imperfections, but the overall impression conveyed is positive.

Although it featured what many would consider a relatively modest engine, the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II proved to be a giant-killer. It earned Constructor’s Championships for Mercedes in the 1991 and 1992 DTM. Only 502 of these classics left the factory, and the company found itself in an unusual and welcome situation: it had pre-sold every one before the model’s public unveiling at the 1990 Geneva Auto Show. The low production total means not only that these cars seldom hit the market, but also that they generate enormous interest when they do. I suspect that the auction estimate for this car may be conservative, and that the hammer will fall at a far higher figure. Even if this magic Mercedes is beyond your means, monitoring the auction to discover the outcome could be fascinating.