1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II

Twenty-five years ago, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II thrilled professionals and the general public alike when it was unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show. Legend has it that the limited run of 502 cars were sold pre-launch, possibly being squirrelled away by international car collectors. The bitter rivalry between BMW and Mercedes-Benz in saloon car racing throughout Europe helped hone the greatest touring cars of the era. The Evo II had to win against one of the best touring cars of all time, the E30 M3. Compromise was out of the question and the touring car, developed for Group A racing using this sports saloon as a basis, went on to acquire legendary status. Mercedes-Benz took the first three places in the DTM championship in the 1992 season with this vehicle, which was referred to succinctly as the "Evo II".

The engine's output had been raised once again in comparison to the first Evolution model from the previous year, the Evo II now generating 235 horsepower. The top speed was 250 km/h, and the Evo II accelerated from a standing start to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. The body had also undergone further refinement on an aesthetic and aerodynamic level and the car's sporting pedigree was emphasised by its muscular stance. The Evo II's body kit is perhaps the most outrageous ever applied to a production car, and the fact it was a product of the ultra-conservative world of early nineties Mercedes-Benz is even more incredible. Its ostentatious fully adjustable rear spoiler was aerodynamically perfect and the front splitter would make a decent job of cutting the grass. However, despite outward appearances, the Evo II is a comfortable and tractable daily driver.

This Evo II is number 262 of 502 cars ever made by Mercedes-Benz and was supplied new to Germany, where it formed part of a significant collection. It was then acquired by a gentleman in Guernsey and sold to its third owner in the UK. The vehicle was registered G191WGX in 2006. In 2007, it was exported to New Zealand and resided there until the end of last year, when it was repatriated back to the UK. The most impressive aspect of this Mercedes-Benz is the incredibly low mileage of just 2,772 kilometers or 1,723 miles.

Consequently, the car is presented in superb order and has clearly been cherished throughout its life. The bodywork is finished in black and the paint retains an excellent shine across all panels. The panel fit is superb and the condition of the exterior is simply the best we have ever seen. The same goes for the black interior that seems to have little or no wear to either the leather seats, dash, door cards or headlining. The engine bay is a joy to behold and the components have been superbly detailed. Evidently, this incredible homologation special would be a welcome contender at any Concours event around the world.

Supplied with its operating manual, service book, some invoices for servicing, spare key, full tool kit, and car cover, this Evo II has recently had a major service in New Zealand at a cost of nearly £3,500 and has travelled a mere 50 miles since. In addition, there is correspondence from previous owners where they describe it as simply "irreplaceable."

Any fan of the legendary "Group A' Touring Car era needs to see this car to truly appreciate both its originality and splendid collector status. Without question, one of the lowest mileage examples one could ever find in the market today. We welcome any pre-sale inspections of this vehicle and encourage prospective buyers to contact the office for further details.