Mercedes-Benz built only 502 units of the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II back in early 1990s out of a total of some 1.9 million saloon cars from the 201 model series. The rarity when coupled with its exclusive equipment configuration, makes the sports car a particularly coveted classic. The 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II – soon referred to as the “EVO II” by fans, came equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine putting out 232 hp of maximum power and 245 Nm of peak torque.
Lamborghini Huracan, Urus Epic drive: Celebrating the combustion engine | TOI Auto
The engine came mated to a 5-speed gearbox feeding power to the rear wheels, helping it sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 7 seconds, before topping out at a respectable 250 kmph. The sports saloon laid the foundation for the Mercedes-Benz DTM touring race cars of the 1990s, serving as the so-called homologation model for the identically badged DTM touring race cars – the AMG Mercedes 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II, which put out 367 horses.
For the 17th round of the season, Formula One now heads to the Suzuka Circuit for the 2023 Japanese GP, with the Free Practice 1 already concluded. After his 10-race long victory run came to an end last weekend at the Singapore GP, Red Bull posterboy Max Verstappen looks set to bounce back, going the fastest in FP1.