Italian company Vespera has created a stunning restomod inspired by the legendary Mercedes 190 Evo II, powered by a modified Mercedes M103 inline-six engine developing 765 hp.
Photo: Vespera
Presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1990, the Mercedes 190 Evo II was produced in just 502 examples and featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine developing 235 hp and 245 Nm.
At the end of 2023, HWA, Mercedes-AMG’s motorsport partner, announced that it would build a restomod based on the Mercedes 190 Evo II. It uses a restored 190 body structure equipped with a modified Mercedes V6 engine producing 450 hp/500 Nm in the entry-level version and 500 hp in the top version. Starting price: €714,000 plus VAT.
Now, Italian company Vespera has come up with a surprise, offering a restomod with a modern body made entirely from carbon fiber that faithfully follows the design of the original model, including its famous massive rear spoiler.
However, the proportions are slightly different, as the tracks are 10 cm wider and the car itself is 20 cm wider, now measuring 1.92 meters across. The greater width, side skirts and flared wheel arches, together with the more massive and aggressive bumpers, give it a more imposing road presence.
Under the hood is the 3.0-liter Mercedes M103 inline-six, produced between 1984 and 1997 and used in models such as the 300 E W124 and 300 SL R129. Vespera has extensively modified the engine and, thanks to turbo, it delivers impressive figures: 765 hp and 910 Nm, compared with 180 hp and 255 Nm in the original version.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential and a six-speed manual gearbox. With a weight of just 1,450 kg, the Iris Evo 5 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.4 seconds, while top speed is 299 km/h.
Although Vespera says the braking system is derived from the 190 Evo II, to improve brake cooling and aerodynamics, the Vespera Iris Evo 5 also features air intakes behind the front wheels that are not found on the original production car but serve an important functional purpose here.
Vespera has not yet revealed the interior, which is still under development, but says it will combine carbon fiber with leather and Alcantara and offer a high degree of customization. The aim is to preserve the original interior design while using modern materials and tailoring it to each customer’s requirements.
Vespera has not announced a price, which will be disclosed only to interested customers. However, we estimate that it is unlikely to be cheaper than the HWA Evo.
