Latest news with #restomod
The Drive
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
This $800K Mercedes 190E Evo Restomod Will Actually Race at the Nurburgring 24H
The latest car news, reviews, and features. It's easy to get cynical about restomods. HWA's reimagined Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo II, for example, looks incredible. But it also costs just short of $800,000, and there's been no shortage of projects like it as of late, taking collector cars that already demand top dollar under the knife for a guaranteed profit. HWA, though, is coming at this from a different angle. The 190E Evo II wasn't just a '90s performance icon—it was a race car proven on Europe's greatest tracks by HWA itself, which managed Mercedes' DTM program. In that tradition, the company has decided to do the same with its new Evo, and will campaign two examples in next year's Nürburgring 24 Hours race. The cars will compete in the race's SP-X class, which is reserved for vehicles that don't adhere to any criteria. While HWA hasn't said who will drive them, Roland Asch and Klaus Ludwig, who are also no strangers to Mercedes touring cars, will help develop them on the Nordschleife. The cars' 'appropriate modifications in performance, weight, and safety systems' will be detailed at a later date, HWA said in a press release. HWA rolled out a liveried Evo for the announcement, paying homage to the Sonax-sponsored machines that it campaigned in the early '90s. Ludwig drove a 190E that looked similar to the 1992 DTM title. The new rendition looks good, but I always preferred the version of this scheme with silver and red, rather than the flat white. It's unclear if this is how the cars will look on race day next year, but for what it's worth, the Evo cleans up surprisingly well in bright sage, too. Driver Klaus Ludwig poses with an HWA Evo prototype. Gruppe C Photography/HWA The HWA Evo incorporates a three-liter, twin-turbo V6 making 444 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed transaxle. To make one, HWA receives an original 190E Cosworth donor and guts it, stripping it down to its bare chassis before washing it in a chemical bath and rebuilding everything from there. The suspension is double-wishbone with electronically adjustable dampers all around, the body is carbon fiber, and the final article weighs 2,980 pounds. HWA has already started building these and is only planning to make 100, total. There are apparently still a few build slots left, per this latest bulletin from the company, so you haven't missed your chance. And if you want to tune in for this year's Nürburgring 24 Hours, it kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. Eastern. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
Auto Blog
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
World's Coolest Mercedes 190E Ready To Take On The Nurburgring
HWA's Merecedes-Benz 190E restomod gears up for a public demo of its mettle at the Nürburgring. AMG-Bred 190E Restomod To Make Track Debut at the Nürburgring 24 Hours It's not often that a restomod earns the right to go toe-to-toe with today's top-tier performance cars, but the HWA Evo isn't your typical nostalgia project. Developed by HWA AG – the engineering powerhouse established by AMG co-founder Hans Werner Aufrecht – this modern-day reincarnation of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo II is finally ready to prove its mettle. And not just on any track: it's headed for the Nürburgring Nordschleife during one of motorsport's most iconic weekends. Set to make its first public demonstration at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, two HWA EVO prototypes will run demo laps during the race weekend. The car will also be on display at the Adenauer Racing Day on June 18 and in Corso laps on June 20 and 21, with a permanent presence at the Nürburgring paddock stand throughout the weekend. Not Your Typical Restomod Unlike many modern restomods, the HWA Evo is far more than a vintage shell with a new engine. Each car begins life as a Mercedes W201 donor vehicle, which is then stripped to its steel bones. HWA reinforces and rebuilds it with custom aluminum and high-strength steel subframes, replacing 75% of the original chassis and doubling its torsional rigidity. The result is a motorsport-grade structure with an OEM-level finish. Mounted in a front-mid-engine configuration is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 – believed to come from the AMG C43 – pumping out 493 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, controlled by a bespoke HWA ECU. For electronics, HWA partnered with Bosch Engineering to develop a custom ESP system featuring ABS and a tailored control unit – a feature not typically found in an average restomod. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. A Familiar Livery for a Legendary Race Weekend The powertrain is just one piece of the puzzle. The rest includes billet-machined suspension components, KW adjustable dampers, H&R anti-roll bars, and Brembo brakes with optional carbon ceramics. All of it wrapped in a full carbon fiber body crafted for both strength, lightweight advantage, and aerodynamic finesse. For its Nürburgring shakedown, one of the HWA Evo prototypes features a special livery reminiscent of the original Evo II's racing roots, particularly its dominance during the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters' 1992 season. Only 100 units of the HWA Evo will be produced, each priced around $760,000. Most have already been spoken for, but if you're lucky, there might still be a few slots left. In any case, if you have the means, a visit to the Nürburgring next weekend will earn you the right to witness this track beast up close. About the Author Jacob Oliva View Profile
Auto Blog
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
The Coolest Porsche 911 Restomod You'll Wait Over a Year to Drive
The RSR Project is bringing to life some of the coolest and most tastefully built 911 restomods on the planet. The RSR Project: Honoring the Legendary '70s Race Car When talking about Porsche 911 restomods, the usual names you'll hear are Singer, Ruf, and Gunther Werks – and rightfully so. These companies have cemented their place as tasteful creators of reimagined and modified 911s. However, The RSR Project is quite possibly the best among the underrated 911 builders. Founded by Richard Schickman in New York, the RSR Project focuses on the greatness of the 1973 911 Carrera RSR, which dominated race tracks on both sides of the big pond. And it has introduced the Project #21 – Schickman's latest creation that's based on G-Series Porsche 911s. Simply put, The RSR Project recreates the legendary '70s race car, which often sells for millions at auctions (if you can find one), at the fraction of its price. Tasteful Restomod Deserves Your Attention Unlike other restomod creations, RSR Project's Project #21 employs minimalist, race-inspired styling that's faithful to the original 911 Carrera RSR. One of the callbacks to the iconic race car is the Signal Orange paint and the 15-inch Braid wheels, wrapped in Michelin TB-15 tires. The restrained exterior is then paired with modern comfort and other enhancements. Inside you'll find houndstooth and premium leather upholstery on the headliner, dashboard, and door panels. The air-conditioning has been upgraded to a Griffiths, while the seats are equipped with heating function. There's also a classic Porsche-style radio for those who want period-correct features. While the exterior does look original, the panels have been replaced with lightweight materials. RSR Project also upgraded the car with Bilstein shocks and bushings, though the suspension remains stock. The brakes have also been updated to four-piston calipers to improve braking performance. 300+ HP Flat-Six, $375K Price Tag, and an 18-Month Wait Mounted at the rear of this 911 restomod is a 3.4-liter twin-plug flat-six engine, mated to a classic five-speed 915 manual transmission. This power plant, which has been bored out from the original 2.8-liter, has been tuned to mimic the performance of the RSR's 'raw and crisp' driving feel behind the tiller. No final power output has been disclosed, but it should make over 300 horsepower. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. As you would imagine, The RSR Project doesn't price the Project #21 on the cheap side. It starts at $375,000, and clients need to provide the donor 1973–1989 G-Series 911 – not just any donor car, though, as only rust-free, galvanized-body 911s are accepted. Each build takes between 12 to 18 months, which includes thorough road testing and shake down, conducted before delivery. About the Author Jacob Oliva View Profile
Top Gear
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
This is Cyan Racing's (mildly) updated P1800 GT
This is Cyan Racing's (mildly) updated P1800 GT New shoes, new voice box and a few bespoke touches to the interior... Skip 12 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 12 Cyan Racing's latest P1800 GT commission has landed, and it debuts several new features to add more 'versatility' to what was already a stunning restomod. They include redesigned alloys, a different exhaust and a few bespoke touches to the cabin. The beige body sits on colour-matched 17in centre-lock wheels, which feature a silver outer ring and complement all the other chrome bits - the grille, headlight surrounds and so on - rather well. Advertisement - Page continues below Next up is the exhaust, which still adopts a central position but gets two tailpipes instead of one. It's adjoined to a 414bhp 2.0-litre turbo-four mated to a five-speed Holinger manual. Considering the whole car weighs around a tonne and sends its power rearward, it should be a good laugh when you're not grand tourin'. But when you are, and since this is the softer GT model, Cyan has tweaked the damper and differential setup to be more plush than its track-focused original. Furthered by a less intensive roll cage and increased use of sound deadening, it is a proper continental blaster. The cabin is wrapped in a leather/fabric sand finish, with a swathe of vintage switchgear and a chonky steering wheel. The material used for the centre console and flooring looks like it comes from a mid-Nineteenth-century sofa, which is no complaint - we think it helps lean into the retro theme perfectly. Production of the Cyan P1800 is now in full swing, and if you want one, you'll need to send a Volvo P1800 donor car in, wait 12-15 months, and have a cheque ready for around £440k when everything's said and done. Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Top Gear
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Someone's just paid $800k over the list price for this Singer DLS
Someone's just paid $800k over the list price for this Singer DLS Three years on, the daddy of all 911 restomods is now a $3m car. Still think Singers are overpriced? Skip 20 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 20 When Singer launched its Design and Lightweighting Study (DLS) a few years back, it pre-sold each of the 75 examples before the first client car even debuted. This foreshadowed spectacular inflation for the DLS, as is now evidenced by this Bring a Trailer auction. Yep, someone has just paid $3m (about £2.2m) for a car that cost $2.2m three years ago. So in TG maths, that's roughly... £600k earned by doing absolutely nothing. Advertisement - Page continues below Literally, because it's racked up an extra one mile over the last year for a total odometer readout of… 18. If you completed the London Marathon a couple of months back, well done: you officially covered more ground in that single day than this thing has in its entire (second) life. Anyway, about the DLS. This is chassis #73, and its underpinnings are from a 1991-reg 964-generation Carrera… sort of. Because while the odd nut and bolt might be the same, most of the mechanical elements have been cranked right up to 11. That Mezger-built, air-cooled, nat-asp flat-six sounds savage through the Inconel-titanium exhaust toward a 9.3k redline, and cooks up a soundtrack akin to Zeus opening the heavens above. Its numbers are strong: around 500bhp, 0-62mph in the late threes and a predicted top speed of 210mph. And all that's achieved using a good old six-speed Hewland manual. It's not just about brute force either. The DLS' chassis and subframes are 60 per cent stiffer than stock, the whole car squats 20mm lower to the ground than a standard 964, and there's a 40mm FIA-grade roll cage hidden beneath its carbon-clad body. Advertisement - Page continues below All this makes for a sub-1.1-tonne vehicle that'll put on a more precise sequence of dances than Channing Tatum in Step Up, thanks also to the Michelin rubber and Brembo brakes. READ MORE Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer: Classic Turbo review Chassis #73 also gets some tasteful touches, like staggered 18in forged magnesium alloys, blue leather Recaro carbon seats with tartan inserts, plus 18-karat gold trim along the rev counter. That's on top of one main characteristic that draws people to the DLS: it looks like an old 911, but one that's sautéed with a few subtle modern cues. All of which begs the question… are Singer's cars actually massively underpriced? Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
