Be-winged and boxy DTM goodness.
Updated 1/6/22: the highest bid of 34 submitted was $215,000. Impressive!
Homologation specials can yield some rather impressive results, and this be-winged and boxy DTM superstar is no exception. Back in the early '90s, BMW and Mercedes-Benz were trading barbs in the German Touring Car Championship, with the former fielding the legendary E30 BMW M3, and the latter running the Mercedes-Benz 190E. From those battles came this - the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II, a high-strung executive compact strutting its stuff with a host of race-inspired goodies. Now, one particularly well-kept example of this rare homologation special is up for grabs in an online auction.
Mercedes-Benz first introduced the 190E Evolution for the 1989 model year, with the subsequent 1990 models stuffed with more power as standard, as well as new, highly aggressive styling. This particular example is No. 310 of 502 produced, as indicated by a serialized shift knob. It was acquired by the seller in July, and is currently located in the Netherlands.
The first thing to grab you about the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II is the eye-catching DTM styling, with wider fender flares, a prominent front splitter, and a rear window spoiler, not to mention the rather large adjustable rear wing. Sure, it looks spectacular, but it's functional as well, making real downforce, plus a relatively low 0.29 drag coefficient.
This particular example is finished in Blue-Black Metallic exterior paint, with 17-inch alloys in silver.
The cabin features black leather upholstery, heated Recaro front buckets, and wood trim bits. There's also a hilariously old-school Motorola cell phone, as well as a Sony cassette stereo with a trunk-mounted CD changer - truly the pinnacle of in-car entertainment at the time.
Of course, no one is buying the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II for the cell phone. Under the hood, the four-door cradles a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. Built by Cosworth, this 'four served as the basis for Mercedes' DTM efforts, and sports a shorter stroke and larger bore compared to the Evo I. It's also equipped with the AMG PowerPack as standard, which throws in a new throttle body, intake, camshaft, ECU tuning, and exhaust.
Peak output was rated at 232 horsepower, which ain't bad for an atmospheric four-cylinder built three decades ago (need we remind you of the cellphone?). Sending the power rearwards is a dogleg five-speed manual transmission from Getrag.
Keeping it shiny side up is hydraulic self-leveling suspension, plus a lower, wider stance than the standard 2.5-16, and bigger brakes.
The odometer for this particular Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II shows at roughly 139,000 km (86,370 miles), but it all looks to be in good shape. The sale even includes the factory tools, manufacturer's literature, and associated accessories.
Interested buyers can find this 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II on Bring A Trailer, with the highest bid as of this writing set at $111,111 with five days left in the auction. Check back later for the final selling price.
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