Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 190 › 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (Evo I) · Factory competition · 1989 Very Rare

Mercedes-Benz
190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (Evo I)

First DTM homologation evolution of the 190 E 16V (Evo II already listed)

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (Evo I) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution I)
Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (Evo I) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution I)
Photo: Matti Blume · CC BY-SA 4.0
502BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
502 Built
Years
1989
Engine
Front, longitudinal; vertical; 4-cylinder in-line, inclined 15 degrees to the right · 2,463 cc / 2.5 LFactory: 2,463 cc
Power
145 kW / 198 PSFactory: 195 hp · converted
Top speed
230 km/hFactory: 230 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Evolution I was the first of two road-going evolution versions of the 190 E 2.5-16, built so that Mercedes-Benz could homologate the car for the German touring-car championship (DTM). The factory archive counts 502 cars, built in a short run from March to May 1989. Compared with the standard 2.5-16 it has a short-stroke 2,463 cc engine, 16-inch wheels with a wider track, and an aerodynamic kit.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityVery Rare 502 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

  • Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (Evo I) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution I)Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (Evo I) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution I)
    Photo: Matti Blume · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (Evo I) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution I)Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (Evo I) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution I)
    Photo: Ethan Llamas · CC BY-SA 4.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model production190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (W 201), built 03–05/1989. Technical data: “Units produced : 502” 5021,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

In the late 1980s Mercedes-Benz returned to the DTM and, according to Bonhams, worked with Cosworth on a high-revving four-cylinder engine; the Evolution I was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1989. The archive lists a pre-production start in February 1989, standard production from March and the end of production in May 1989, with a launch price of DM 87,204.30.

Bonhams describes the changes over the 2.5-16 as deeper front and rear spoilers, flared wheel arches, an adjustable rear wing, a reworked suspension with ride-height adjustment and a dog-leg Getrag five-speed gearbox. The Evolution II followed in 1990 and raised power to 235 hp.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (Evo I).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 102 E 25/2 / 102.9911
LayoutFront, longitudinal; vertical; 4-cylinder in-line, inclined 15 degrees to the right1
Cylinders41
Displacement 2,463 cc / 2.5 LFactory: 2,463 cc1
Bore 97.3 mmFactory: 97.3 mm1
Stroke 82.8 mmFactory: 82.8 mm1
Compression ratio9.7:11
Valvetrain2 intake, 2 exhaust valves per cylinder, V-shaped overhead; 2 overhead camshafts1
Fuel systemManifold injection, mechanically-electronically controlled (Bosch KE-Jetronic)1
Power 145 kW / 198 PSFactory: 195 hp · converted1Rating: manufacturerArchive gives 143 kW and, without catalytic converter, 204 hp / 150 kW at 6750 rpm. The enthusiast site MB190e16v lists 194 bhp at 6750 rpm for the catalyst car; Bonhams lot 134 quotes 197 bhp at 6,200 rpm. Factory figure used.
Power at 6,800 rpm1Without catalyst the archive gives 6750 rpm.
Torque 235 NmFactory: 235 Nm1Without catalyst 240 Nm.
Torque at 5,000 rpm1Archive states the range 5000 - 5500 rpm.
Redline 7,250 rpm3 Independently researchedMaximum revs as tabulated by the enthusiast site MB190e16v.

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxManual change-speed gear; dry single-disc clutch; central floor shift1
Gears51
Gear ratiosI. 4.08; II. 2.52; III. 1.77; IV. 1.26; V. 1.0; R. 4.161
Final drive3.271
Driven wheelsRear wheels1

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisSteel unit body1Archive gives "steel unit body" under frame design.
Front suspensionA-arm / spring strut with hydropneumatic level control; coil springs, hydropneumatic spring struts, torsion bar stabiliser1
Rear suspensionMultilink suspension with hydropneumatic level control; coil springs, hydropneumatic spring struts, torsion bar stabiliser1
BrakesHydraulic dual-circuit with vacuum booster and antilock system; disc brakes front (internally ventilated) and rear; mechanical parking brake on rear wheels1
SteeringRecirculating-ball power steering1
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,665 mmFactory: 2,665 mm1
Length 4,430 mmFactory: 4,430 mm1
Width 1,720 mmFactory: 1,720 mm1
Height 1,342 mmFactory: 1,342 mm1
Front track 1,478 mmFactory: 1,478 mm1
Rear track 1,453 mmFactory: 1,453 mm1
Kerb weight 1,320 kgFactory: 1,320 kg1Per DIN 70020: ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 230 km/hFactory: 230 km/h1Archive: 230 km/h (without catalyst 235 km/h).
0–100 km/h 7.7 s1Archive: 7.7 s (no catalyst 7.5 s).
Fuel tank 70 LFactory: 70 L1Tank is above the rear axle.

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The archive type number is 201.036, shared with the Evolution II (the standard 2.5-16 is 201.035). According to the enthusiast site MB190e16v, chassis numbers begin 201036 and the engine number begins 102991 (2.5-16: 102990, Evolution II: 102992). The digit after the type prefix is 1 for left-hand drive (2 for right-hand drive), a letter A-E or F-H then marks the Sindelfingen or Bremen plant, and the chassis number is stamped on the firewall and on the bonnet slam panel. Auction examples carry VINs such as WDB2010361F598552 and WDB2010361F603555. Distinguishing data from the archive: 97.3 x 82.8 mm bore and stroke (2.5-16: 95.5 x 87.2 mm), 8 J x 16 wheels with 225/50 ZR 16 tyres, a 3.27 final drive, and front and rear track of 1,478 / 1,453 mm. MB190e16v lists Blue-black (DB 199) as the only colour.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    190 E 2.5-16 Evolution / W 201 E 25/2, 1989 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Units produced : 502
    • Engine type : M 102 E 25/2 / 102.991 (Engine)
    • Configuration : front, longitudinal; vertical (Engine)
    • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 4 / in-line; 15° inclination to the right (Engine)
    • Total displacement : 2463 cc (Engine)
    • Bore x Stroke : 97.3 x 82.8 mm (Engine)
    • Compression ratio : 9.7 (Engine)
    • Number of valves / arrangement : 2 intake, 2 exhaust / V-shaped overhead (Engine)
    • Fuel system : Manifold injection, mechanically-electronically controlled (Bosch KE-Jetronic) (Engine)
    • Rated output : 195 hp / 143 kW at 6800 rpm (without Katalysator 204 hp / 150 kW at 6750 rpm) (Engine)
    • Rated torque : 235 Nm (without catalyst 240 Nm) at 5000 - 5500 rpm (Engine)
    • Transmission type : change-speed gear (Transmission and Performance)
    • Gearing : 5-speed manual transmission (Transmission and Performance)
    • Gear ratios : I. 4.08; II. 2.52; III. 1.77; IV. 1.26; V. 1.0; R. 4.16 (Transmission and Performance)
    • Final drive ratio : 3.27 (Transmission and Performance)
    • Driven wheels : Rear wheels (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Frame design : Steel unit body (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Front-wheel suspension : A-arm / spring strut with hydropneumatic level control (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Rear-wheel suspension : multilink suspension with hydropneumatic level control (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic dual-circuit ... disc brakes front (internally ventilated) and rear (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Steering : Recirculating-ball power steering (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Wheelbase : 2665 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Length : 4430 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Width : 1720 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Height : 1342 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Front / rear track : 1478 / 1453 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Kerb weight : 1320 kg (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Maximum speed : 230 km/h (Transmission and Performance)
    • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 7.7 s (Transmission and Performance)
    • Fuel tank: position / capacity : above the rear axle / 70 l (Engine)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Mercedes-Benz Classic public archive – 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution Level A
    • 502 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (W 201), built 03–05/1989. Technical data: “Units produced : 502”
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    Technical (MB190e16v) Level B MB190e16v.com (190E 16V enthusiast site)
    • Max. revs: 2.5-16 EVO I 7250/min
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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