The Mercedes 190 series of sedans is one of the best the German manufacturer ever produced. Arguably, for many, this is the golden era for the German manufacturer. Now, it looks like there is a way to get the best of the classic with the best of the modern world.
Italy’s Vespera Automobili has brought back the 1990s with one of the most extreme restomods of recent years. This is the Vespera Iride Evo 5, based on the legendary Mercedes 190 EVO II, but this time reimagined with the best of modern materials.
Think of this as a modern supercar in the clothing of a 1990s sedan. The company developed the Iride Evo 5 in conjunction with Loris Capirossi, a legendary MotoGP rider, the 1998 25cc World Championship winner, and a car collector and enthusiast. And by the looks of it, the two entities have done an incredible job.
Aside from cosmetic changes and modern materials, the Mercedes has also been given a major horsepower boost. Now pushing nearly 800hp, it has as much power as some current supercars. Each example is made unique thanks to a tailored customization program, meaning no two examples are 100 percent the same.
What Makes the Mercedes 190 Restomod Tick
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Under the hood of the restomod is where the real magic happens. The design might stay true to the original, but everything is different under the hood. While the foundation for it is the Mercedes M103 inline-six engine, Vespera’s engineers have enlarged it from 2.6 liters to 3.0 liters. New forged components and added forced induction help to reinforce the powertrain.
That has led to some very impressive numbers. The 3.0-liter engine now makes 765hp and 671lb-ft of torque. The addition of a six-speed manual transmission means the car is an absolute dream for the enthusiast. All of that horsepower goes to the rear wheels thanks to a limited-slip differential, with the Evo 5 boasting a 0- 62 mph time of just 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 186mph. Plus, it weighs just 3,197lbs, lighter than a lot of modern performance cars.
It isn’t just the engine that has been tweaked. The braking system has had an overhaul, taken from the 190 EVO II. The manual transmission is a welcome sight, particularly as modern supercars more often than not just come with an automatic transmission. At the time of writing, Vespera was still working on the interior design. What we do know is it will feature carbon fiber, leather, and Alcantara and include plenty of customization. Vespera hopes to preserve the analog character of the car while incorporating more modern materials and craftsmanship.
The Vespera Iride Evo 5 Is a Work of Art
The exterior alone is worth whatever asking price Vespera will charge us for it. It stays true to the legendary 1990s homologation special, designed for the Group A DTM championship. The original body has been redesigned and is now made entirely of carbon fiber. Vespera widened the track by 3.9 inches on each side, giving it an increase in width of 7.8 inches over the original car.
That gives the Iride Evo 5 a much more muscular stance. When revealed, the company showed the car off in a stunning Montreal Green with gold accenting across the car. However, each customer can choose any exclusive color that they want, thanks to a massive customization program. Each example of the car is made to order, ensuring they are all unique, as well as making sure not one car is the same as the next.