Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (W201) '1990

Source: motors.goods2send.com

'Black Widow' 

She’s having the phattest tail ever seen in a Mercedes. The large tail takes us back to 90’s when Group A Touring Car Championship allowed only aerodynamic modifications introduced in production versions. Thus baby-benz came on sale with a full race outfit. 

Exterior modifications are fully functional and developed in wind tunnel.  BMW research and development Chief Wolfgang Reitzle said when EVO 2 was introduced: “If that rear wing works, we will have to rebuild the BMW wind tunnel" and they did! Rules also limited that rear wing should not impede vision backwards, but benz-boyz made a clever move and limited the vision with rear window lip and made wing invisible! All-in-all aerodynamic changes were successful and Klaus Ludwig took the DTM driver’s title in 1992.

It's hard to get any closer to DTM spirit. Source: mb190.de

It’s not only the exterior that makes this wolfcar such a masterpiece, but the engine too. Thanks to race-engine builder Cosworth who took the standard 190E 2.5-16 engine (introduced 1988) and changed the compression ratio, shorter stroke crankshaft, bigger cylinders, intake and exhaust system and a raised peak rpm that helped unit to produce 235hp (+40hp) at 7200rpm! Redline cuts in at 7700rpm that’s something that very few Mercedes features and could give Honda’s VTEC a run for its money. The engine note gooses pimples!
  

Limited rear visibility. Source: maydaygarage.com

The chassis tweaked to suit the engines performance with huge brakes, electronically adjustable suspension and 17” wheels. Even the exterior is full of drama and race spirit the interior is almost standard with a huge steering wheel, typical for the Mercedes in that era and modifications are limited to sportier seats and couple extra gauges.

 

  In details

Engine

Cosworth Straight 4, 2463cc, 16-valve, Bosch KE-Jetronic suction tube injection (M102E 25/2)
compression ratio 10,5:1
Numbers
235hp/7200rpm (redline 7700rpm)
245Nm/5000-6000rpm
Top speed: 250km/h

0-100km/h: 7,1s

0-400m: 15,5s
1340kg

Cd 0,30 (standard 0,32)
Transmission
‘Dog-leg’ 5 speed manual, RWD

Limited slip-differential
Chassis

MacPherson struts front/ 5-link rear, anti-roll bars

Individually mounted springs and electrically controlled hydraulic dambers (three settings: normal, low -15mm and high +30mm)

Brembo ventilated disks (300mm) with 4 pot calibers, ABS

8 ¼ x 17” (ET 34) alloys with 245/40ZR17 Dunlop SP Sport tires
Exterior
Arc extensions

Bumper extensions

Special bumpers

Adjustable front splitter

Two-piece boot spoiler with adjustable trailing edges

Rear window lip

Side skirts

Skirt extensions

Door extensions

Aerodynamic modification reduced lift by 40% in rear axle and rear 47%

“EVOLUTION” plates in front wings

Oval exhaust exit
Interior

Black leather/checker interior (full black leather with comfort package)

Sport seats

Individual back seats

Wood trim

Three extra gauges in center console (oil temp, lap time and volt)

Consecutive number plate in shift knob (written in the following way: 001/500 up to 500/500).
Other

Only 502 Evolution 2 models was produced and all of them were sold before the production, 2 of them were painted in silver (test cars) and others in Blaushwarz (blue-black) metallic

Construction period: 01/05/1990-07/19990

Most EVO2’s were fitted with the optional comfort package which included a full leather interior, air-conditioning, sunroof, etc.

Purchase price when new: 109,440 DM (around 72,960$)

Swiss-versions has a plastic gap in front intake and tube mounted in the exhaust manifold to reduce the noise. Additionally the huge rear wing was not road legal; therefore the EVO 2 was officially sold with EVO 1 spoiler.