Photo: Vespera Automobili (via Carscoops)
Italian restomod atelier Vespera Automobili has unveiled the Iride Evo 5, its own reinterpretation of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 190E Evolution II. The project arrives just as German outfit HWA readies deliveries of its own $770,000 190E Evo restomod, giving Mercedes enthusiasts a second serious take on one of the brand's most iconic homologation specials. For now, only one example exists, with more planned if customer demand follows.
Under the widened carbon-fiber body sits a heavily reworked Mercedes M103 inline-six, bored out to 3.0 liters, fitted with forged internals and a large turbocharger to produce 765 hp and 671 lb-ft of torque — well beyond the 493 hp HWA's twin-turbo V6 delivers. Vespera claims a 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds and a 186 mph top speed. Pricing hasn't been disclosed, though it's expected to rival or exceed HWA's car.
The debut car wears Montreal Green paint borrowed from Alfa Romeo's color palette, paired with gold OZ Racing rally wheels, wider fender flares adding nearly 4 inches per side, a deep front splitter, and a large rear wing. It's a reminder that restomod culture around 1980s-90s homologation heroes keeps intensifying, with independent European shops now competing directly against each other rather than just chasing nostalgia.
For HPP's customer base, it's a useful signal: demand for extreme, small-batch Mercedes builds is strong enough to support multiple rival ateliers at six-figure price points, reinforcing the broader appetite for serious performance upgrades on classic and modern Mercedes platforms alike.
Source: Carscoops — Italy's Mercedes 190E Evo II Restomod Out-Guns HWA's $770K Version