1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II – SOLD 🏁

No. 473 of 502 Tourenwagen Homologation Specials - Paramount Originality and Impossibly Perfect for The Most Demanding Collector

Offered at $0

Chassis No: WDB2010361F738813

Odometer: 11,339 Miles

Engine: 2.5 Litre M102 E25/2 by Cosworth Inline-4 DOHC 16-valve with AMG PowerPack

Transmission: 5-Speed Getrag ‘dog-leg’ Gearbox

Performance: 232 bhp @ 7,200 rpm / 181 lb-ft > 0-60 mph 6.7 sec / 155 mph

Exterior: Blauschwarz (Blue/Black) Metallic

Interior: Black Recaro Perforated Leather Seats

About This Car

“The Evo II had its racing debut on the North Loop of the NĂŒrburgring in the DTM on 16 June 1990. In that year Kurt Thiim took 3rd place in the DTM, and in 1992 Ludwig won the DTM Championship ahead of Kurt Thiim and Bernd Schneider – all three driving a 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II. In the 1993 season, Roland Asch finished as runner-up in the successor to the Evo II. In March 2015, the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II celebrated its 25th birthday. To this day the young classic retains the fascinating allure that it first revealed when it was unveiled as a new compact sports saloon at the Geneva International Motor Show in 1990”.

Roland Asch (left) and his teammates Bernd Schneider, Ellen Lohr, Klaus Ludwig, Kurt Thiim and Jörg van Ommen with Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II (W201) in the DTM-1993 season.

Designed by Bruno Sacco, head of styling at Mercedes-Benz from 1975 to 1999, the W201 debuted at the 1982 Paris Motor show. Manufactured in both Bremen and Sindelfingen, Germany, production reached 1,879,629 over its eleven-year model life.

The W201 introduced a 5-link rear suspension subsequently used in E and C class models, front and rear anti-roll bars, anti-dive and anti-squat geometry—as well as airbags, ABS brakes and seatbelt pretensioners. Its extensive use of light-weight high-strength steel enabled it to withstand a concrete barrier offset crash at 35 mph (56 km/h) without serious passenger injury or cabin deformation.

In March 1990, at the Geneva Auto Show, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II was shown. With the success of the first Evolution model, this model’s 502-unit production was already sold before it was unveiled. The car retailed for DM 136,720 or approximately  $82,000 in 1990.

The “Evo II” included the AMG PowerPack fitted to the same short-stroke 2,463 cc (2.5 L) inline-four engine as the Evolution, producing a maximum power output of 232 hp (235 PS; 173 kW) at 7,200 rpm and 245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,000 rpm. The compression was changed, shorter stroke crankshaft, bigger cylinders, other intake and exhaust system and a raised peak rpm. It could now rev up to 7,800 rpm against 7,250 rpm of the Evo I. Suspension and brakes were slightly changed, Evolution II 17-inch alloy wheels were now used, the suspension was 45mm lower than the standard 16V. The full SLS suspension had 3 settings that could be chosen with a switch inside the car to lower from 15 to 45 mm. The Brembo brakes have 4 piston caliper discs with the same diameter as the brakes on the Evo I model. The only difference is that the Evo II brakes are made from a lighter alloy.

An obvious modification to the Evolution II was the radical body kit (designed by Prof. Richard Eppler from the University of Stuttgart) with a large adjustable rear wing, rear window spoiler, and adjustable front split diffuser. The kit served an aerodynamic purpose—it was wind tunnel tested to reduce drag to 0.29, while at the same time increasing downforce. Period anecdotes tell of BMW research and development chief, Wolfgang Reitzle, saying “the laws of aerodynamics must be different between Munich and Stuttgart; if that rear wing works, we’ll have to redesign our wind tunnel.” The anecdote claims that BMW did redesign its wind tunnel afterwards.

500 examples were painted in ‘Blauschwarz’ Blue/Black metallic. But the last two, numbers 501 and 502 were painted in Astral Silver – rumors are that both these cars were designated to be test cars, used to develop the road version of the Evo II. Mercedes-Benz kept one, so as AMG. The Evo II had the shortest production run of the 190 series models with production starting in 1990 and ending in 1991.

Autobiography

Speedart Motorsports, is delighted to announce the offering of this legendary homologation special for the first time in the North American marketplace and of what we believe to be, one of the finest specimens in captivity, guaranteed to please the most demanding collector and discriminating Benz connoisseur alike.

Chassis 738813 was completed at the Sindelfingen plant on the last week of May 1990 and safely transported to its designated dealer Autohaus Santelmann GmbH,  Mercedes-Benz Center in the city of LĂŒneburg in Lower Saxony.

Upon announcement of the Evo’s production by Daimler A.G. a build-slot was secured by Heinz Eichler, a passionate brand ambassador and preferred client of Herr Karl Santelmann. The automobile was specified with the desirable ‘Komfortpaket’ at the time of ordering, consisting of the following options as per the factory Kardex:

  • Blue/Black Metallic Exterior Paint (199)
  • Black Perforated Leather Interior (271A)
  • Air Conditioning (580)
  • Outside Temperature Display (240)
  • Steel Sliding Sunroof with Lifting Device (412)
  • Headrests in The Rear, Left & Right (430)
  • Radio Becker Grand Prix Cassette with VK/RDS (511)
  • Heat-Insulating Green Glass All Around and Heated Rear Window (591)
  • Catalytic Converter (620)
  • Fire Extinguisher (682)
  • Rear Loud Speakers (812)
  • Heating Elements for Left & Right Front Seats (873)
  • Interior Light Assembly (876).

After the final quality control and pre-delivery inspection at the LĂŒneburg center, Mr. Eichler took possession of the sports saloon in July 4, 1990.

After clocking shy of 10,000 kilometers, the Evo II was subsequently purchased by Antonio de Jesus Sousa and relocated to the city of Vila Nova de Gaia in the Northwest coast of Portugal, during the first quarter of 1993. We believe that the car remained with Mr. Sousa until 2015 and was enjoyed sparingly along the scenic Norte Region and the Porto District. During its 23 years custodianship in Portugal the Mercedes accumulated approximately 8,000 kilometers while curated in a climate controlled private garage.

Fast forward in the year 2015 the car was exhibited by Dutch classic car dealer Auto Leitner during the leading trade fair of Techno Classica at Essen.  By that time the Evo II has become a cult status icon and a highly coveted ‘youngtimer’ by well-heeled enthusiasts the world over.

The unquestionable provenance and spectacular condition of No. 473 attracted the undivided attention of a Greek business executive and custodian of one of the most prominent Mercedes collections in Europe. After some deliberation a deal was struck between Douwe Leitner and the new proud owner on April 15, 2015.

After a certain hibernation period, the Evo II was transported to Greece, clearing customs on July 10, 2016 and delivered into the Northern Suburbs of Athens as the latest addition of the aforementioned portfolio – at that time the odometer displayed a total of 17,993 original kilometers. During its four years of ownership in Greece, the car covered just 143 careful kilometers and it was maintained by renowned Athenian Mercedes specialist; Teotech, with all preventive services performed to the highest factory standards, regardless the lack of road usage.

The owner of Speedart Motorsports in his constant pursuit of significant homologation specials was referred to the current caretaker of the car via a close associate, while visiting Athens on December of 2019 and a private treaty deal was achieved since the car was not advertised for sale.

The proper arrangements were made immediately and the Evo II arrived at the Port of Everglades in Miami on March 2, 2020. The motorcar has been part of our private reserve collection and displayed in our showroom ever since with a total use of 70 maintenance miles.

To call this Mercedes-Benz a perfect and unmolested example is an understatement as it will challenge the most critical judge of any top flight concours venue. The extroverted livery still retains its first paint glaze and it is free of any blemishes or imperfections. The business office is showroom fresh with all systems functioning as the day it left the Sindelfingen assembly line – a thorough paint examination of all panels and ferrous body surfaces reaffirms the fact that the automobile has never been subjected to any repairs or re-spray. The engine bay is equally impressive with all components and cadmium plated hardware in near new status, the original cosmoline coating is still apparent on the underbody, further attesting to the fastidious care the automobile has received throughout its life.

A twist of the key will be answered by the brawny idle that’s typical of highly-tuned atmospheric four cylinder motor and a few precursory actuations of the clutch in neutral reveals a standard level of resistance that translates into an excellent degree of grabbiness, once engaged.

The Cosworth flavored engine spools up more than quickly enough (courtesy of the AMG PowerPack) to make rev-matching a very easy exercise and the dog-leg Gertrag gearbox shifts with remarkable precision. So if you would ever want to drive a DTM car on the street, this is as close you’ll get to the experience in OEM form.

Several articles of the motorcar have been posted by the press both nationally and internationally while in our custody, further implying to its superlative pedigree.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a37373118/mercedes-benz-190e-25-16-evolution-ii-is-homologation-royalty/

https://www.motor1.com/news/528037/190e-evo-2-sale/

https://finance.yahoo.com/finance/news/mercedes-benz-190e-2-5-210400909.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAB5BbhwrXVpdsjW8XXL31FRjg8zl9UoN5qKl7UdCqA07rMW2rUp7CapmwW4C4Qe84blzeMh2LhGBx_JbZNp0eH1GGlI6uFzmWzpHs3avmwfZ0STHGhWtfW4d6R5uJtQ0jxh5zR2P47NpDQ5HtQ2CsTtduZ0gZwJldYSHo7yBvrrK

https://www.caranddriver.com/es/estilo-de-vida/a37366103/mercedes-190e-25-16-evolution-subasta/

https://hiconsumption.com/1990-mercedes-benz-190e-2-5-16-evolution-ii/

https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/oldtimer/mercedes-190e-2-5-16-evolution-ii-verkauf-wucher/

The sale of chassis 738813 is accompanied by the owner’s manuals, service booklet, Evolution II supplement, spare keys with alarm fob, Becker radio instructions book & card, wheel torque specifications and service tags, tool roll kit, jack, emergency reflective triangle, first aid kit and all equipment as supplied by the manufacturer at the time of delivery, along  later years service records and previous European registrations.

The 190E Evo II will be delivered with a brand new Mercedes OEM US battery while the original Mercredes-Benz, German battery will also be included – freshly charged and ready for use. Furthermore, the factory-original floor mats, still unused in their plastic bags with corresponding labels are also present.

We are excited to discuss an ownership opportunity of this race bred super-saloon as well as arrange a private viewing in our gallery of what arguably is destined to be one of the most significant chapters in the Mercedes-Benz pantheon.

  • All import duties have been paid and the automobile is compliant with all domestic importation laws – the Mercedes is sold with a free and clear Florida title and maybe registered for unlimited road use. A non-derogatory CarFax report is also available upon request.

Disclaimer

Whilst Speedart Motorsports, LLC. (“We”) make a sincere effort to contain information  that is accurate and complete, we are aware that errors and omissions may occur. We are not able therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and we do not accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you examine the vehicle to check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at [email protected]. This disclaimer does not affect your statutory rights.