Typically, when a company like Mercedes sends out a press release about a management reshuffle, it doesn’t cause much of a stir, and when that press release is about the Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing division, it’s even less consequential to real-world cars. But this time is different. This time, the news includes Mercedes-AMG taking a moment to give its approval to HWA AG for its remarkable work creating the 190E-based Evo restomod that was recently fully unveiled.
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The plaudits came shortly after Mercedes remarked that HWA is very close to taking over and growing the aforementioned Customer Racing division that HWA (also based in Affalterbach) already helps to run, maintain, and store cars for.
“HWA AG will continue with its other business areas, for example, the HWA Evo project. This reinterpretation of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.6-16 Evolution II will continue to be developed, built, and sold independently by HWA AG.
AMG is in favor of the revival of this unique vehicle
.”
– Mercedes-AMG statement.
Independently Manufactured, Mercedes-Inspired
The approval of Mercedes in this project further validates the painfully steep $760,000 price tag of the HWA Evo, but even with a Mercedes-sourced 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 under the hood, there are no Three-pointed Star motifs anywhere. The engine itself has been thoroughly reengineered and retuned to as much as 493 horsepower, absolutely no body part is the same size as that of the original, and even the stylishly retro wheels are a modernized and resized reinterpretation of those the legendary 190E came with. Although HWA has a very close relationship with Mercedes, there were still clear boundaries of intellectual property and identity that would not be breached. Perhaps HWA took heed from the tale of Stuttgart versus Singer.
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The HWA Evo looks fantastic and promises to make the most of the company’s long-time success in motorsport, but we’re greedy, so our thoughts turn to possibilities for the future. With Mercedes saying it is “in favor” of resurrecting this particular iconic model from its storied past, could it put its stamp of approval on another? The Red Pig race car may be a touch too old, but the first official AMG-badged car, the C36, might be a great candidate if the ultra-wealthy continue to have a voracious appetite for beautiful reimaginings of the past, such as the Prodrive P25, a retro-modern Subaru 22B. Alternatively, a roadgoing version of one of the HWA-run racers might draw interest.
There’s Plenty Of Time For More Mercedes Excellence
As long as people keep buying them, people will keep inventing restomods, and given recent developments in Stuttgart, it seems there will be combustion-powered inspiration for several years to come. Mercedes-AMG has just confirmed the continued existence of the turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 for the foreseeable future, with CEO Michael Schiebe saying that the company has “no end date,” adding that its “main purpose is still to satisfy customer needs.” We’ve already heard rumors of the AMG CLE arriving with a V8, and this all but confirms it.
Everyday customers still have little appetite for electric cars, although it is growing, opting for hybrids where possible. On the other end of the scale, monied members of society want the emotional experiences characteristic of combustion engines. HWA and AMG are both among the best in their respective games and with their continued collaboration, who knows what magnificent Mercs may yet be manifested?
#Mercedes #Restomod #AMG #Stamp #Approval
