Monday 23rd February

Oof: wild HWA Evo.R is a sight for sore eyes

HWA always said its take on the 190E would make it to N24 - now behold the (nearly) finished article 

---

You’ve probably heard it said many times before, but just in case you haven’t: make sure the Nurburgring 24 Hours is on your automotive bucket list. It really is an event like no other, the racing, the atmosphere and the currywurst unforgettable. For 2026 there’s another reason to attend, as HWA will be there with three of these stunning Evo.R racers. 

From early in the Evo programme, HWA promised that an Evo would run competitively at the Nurburgring enduro epic. It would show off the durability of the car, for one thing, but also celebrate all that was achieved by the original Mercedes in German (and international) tin-top events. Remember that race to open the Nurburgring GP track, so famously won by Ayrton Senna more than 40 years ago, was using 190E 2.3 16s. And it’s not just HWA that’s enthusiastic about the prospect of an Evo.R at N24; having originally stated it would run two cars, there’s been ‘exceptional interest in the program’, so now there’s going to be three on the grid. 

With the standard Evo having featured in a demonstration run at N24 last year, the trio of racers will compete in the SP-X class this year. It’s for the special stuff that can’t really be categorised anywhere else, with previous entrants having included a Glickenhaus and a GT2-spec AMG GT. The HWAs aren’t going to be in contention for an outright win, but it’s already easy to see the three Evo.Rs becoming firm fan favourites. Because look at this thing: the yellow lamps, the arches like half pipes, the spoiler on the spoiler and the retro liveries are surely going to prove very popular indeed. Don’t forget there’s V6 power as well, so it should sound pretty good. 

A Pro-Am line up of drivers will be behind the wheel of the three HWAs, including Sebastian Asch and Luca Ludwig, sons of Roland Asch and Klaus Ludwig - famous of course for their exploits in DTM 190 Evos. So that’s pretty cool. Markus Winkelhock, three-time N24 winner, will also be racing for HWA - they mean business alright. As CEO Martin Marx is only too keen to point out: “Having been involved in top level motorsport at the Nürburgring for over 25 years, the circuit is like a second home to us. We are naturally incredibly excited to finally be competing in a car of our own, but to see that excitement matched by so many drivers, fans, customers and sponsors makes it all the more special.” Full tech specs will follow soon, and expect some test footage from Portimão in due course also. Then the race itself is less than three months away…

---

• Roof-tenting, Duster-style | PH Footnote
• HWA Evo | PH Meets

[Kawasicki]

Yes please

[GreatScott2016]

Cartoonish but I like it too

[Kipsrs]

Yep! My eyes are sore!

[nismo48]

Its rather wild and in a good way.

[trails]

I like that, mean in all the right ways.

[Nobody13]

Wouldn't be my choice if I had the funds (I don't), mine would be a standard 190E Cosworth Evo 1 or 2.

[smilo996]

good that they are racing it rather than being paraded about Monaco and Dubai.

[AmyRichardson]

smilo996 said:

good that they are racing it rather than being paraded about Monaco and Dubai.

Interesting that there's an event so libre that something like this (visual a step, or three, beyond an period DTM car!) can fielded; begs the question "what else?"

[GTRene]

no no no no...


ow wait, its a yes for me

born to be wild.

[JJJ.]

Mean, mean looking machine.

[Dog Biscuit]

Looks a bit daft

[JJJ.]

Dog Biscuit said:

Looks a bit daft

Yeah, maybe the arches due to the desired wider track. Otherwise, it looks the business and I suspect it would look better again Mercedes silver.

[dunc69]

Love these! They look so cool. Will be great seeing them in action.

[Jon_S_Rally]

While I'm not the biggest fan of this car, fair play to them for taking it racing. Helps them set themselves apart from others doing the restomod thing, and a fun way to pay tribute to the original car. Really interested to see how they get on.

[okenemem]

i like

[fooman]

"I have business to attend to, and fast"

[Its Just Adz]

Just bloody awesome.

This over any new hybrid Ferrari.

[thegreenhell]

This made its race debut at the weekend in NLS race 3. Two cars entered, only one car finished, in 18th O/A.

Here's a full onboard lap with a fun battle with a Porsche GT3 Cup car:

[GTRene]

great driving, its even better in the corners road holding like that Porsche, or its driver maybe, sadly on the straights the porsche better Cw takes it back, frustrating for the merc driver I bet after such battle.