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Top Gear
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
HWA Evo review: sacrificial 190e gets the Evo II treatment Reviews 2025
Amazing what a towering rear wing, a good colour and proper stance will do to an old Mercedes 190e. Restomod is the word you've been thinking, but you need to unthink it. In the meantime yes, those are some of the best arches since the Romans built the Colosseum. But this is a restored and modified 190e Evo II isn't it? Obviously it's riffing on that 1990 DTM homologation special, but none of the 502 that were built originally has been sacrificed in the name of creating this. Instead it starts life as a sacrificial 190e, and that's fine seeing as Merc built some 2,000,000 of those. Advertisement - Page continues below Now, we did do a deep dive on this project last year, and made a full walkaround film, so if you want proper nitty gritty details check that out. I'm going to skate over some of that to focus on what it's like to drive this prototype. The only prototype I'm guessing? I can't imagine HWA has the funds to build more than that. You're under-estimating HWA's engineering capacity. I know I said I wasn't going to repeat myself, but here's a quick recap: HWA is named after Hans-Werner Aufrecht (who, in a previous life, was also the 'A' in AMG). In partnership with Mercedes it has been one of the most successful race teams across DTM, GT3, even Formula E. And it's where hypercar firms come when they need a hand: HWA did the nat asp V12 for the Pagani Huayra R, engineered the stillborn Fittipaldi EF7, and is currently working on the De Tomaso P72. The correct interpretation of all this is that HWA does things properly. So not one single prototype, but eight. The last two will be crash tested, four, five and six will do all sorts of dynamic development. But the first three are with Bosch for electronic development. And this green car is, as a sticker under the bonnet proclaims, prototype number 1. Advertisement - Page continues below It's a different story underneath. The cabin is a sprawl of wires, gauges, red buttons, cables and instrumentation, every surface wears temperature strips, there's giant race seats, a non-standard roll cage and the boot is full of electronic boxes. We're at Boxberg, Bosch's top secret test track about an hour north of Stuttgart. It's a corking facility with a banked outer circuit wrapped around a litter of other surfaces, inclines, trails and tracks. Before I can drive I have to wait for everything else to finish for the day. There's all sorts here, but an intimidating piece of paperwork I've signed insists I can't tell you what. Pity. So come on then, what's it like? It shows huge promise. The engine is a modified version of Merc's M276 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 that's found in lesser AMGs such as the SLC 43. I've never been blown away by it, but here it's been uncorked with new turbos, induction and exhaust. It sounds fabulously raspy, yet revs unbelievably smoothly. Barely a vibration to be felt. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Too smooth, too linear in its delivery, reckons HWA. At the next stage of development the intention is to make the turbos less linear, to introduce a bit more lag, more turbo-ness. It's not intended to be a modern car, so they don't want it to feel like one. I'm limited to 5,000rpm, which is about the point the V6 starts to get interesting and the engine note hardens. So I don't have the full ticket of power – which will now be upwards of 500bhp. 450bhp was the original plan, but there's been some mission creep and where once the intention was to leave the internals alone, now HWA is tinkering with conrods and pistons. It's not especially fast right now, but ultimately should have a power to weight ratio of over 370bhp/tonne, which is about bang on with the 656bhp bruiser that is the current Aston Martin Vantage. So it's light then? Just 1,350kg is the plan – the same as the original Evo II. That was steel bodied, this is full carbon. The front and rear subframes are entirely new to improve stiffness and crash protection. The bodyshell feels very rigid, giving the suspension a strong central platform to work from. There's a bit of bodyroll, but it's comforting and true to its heritage, and as you push through that the car takes up an edge through corners, working both axles equally. It really does feel like you're sat centrally in the wheelbase with the car pivoting around you – probably a legacy of the front wheels being pushed forward 50mm. It's got a manual gearbox, hasn't it? Yeah, but like the rest of the controls, it hasn't been polished at all yet. Everything you operate is too light. A lot of this is purposeful to lower the effort levels the development drivers have to put in when they are spending hours and hours at the wheel each day. So the gearlever flicks lightly about the gate. It's a short, accurate throw, but needs more meat and weight to suit the car. Same goes for the steering and brakes. Especially the brakes, which currently have zero feel and not much more than zero power. Until your foot is near the bulkhead at which point they bite hard. But this is a development car, and all of this is to be expected. To be honest, I'm only amazed by how composed it is considering this is the very first. HWA's Chief Technology Officer, Gordian von Schoning reckons cars four, five and six, which are in build now, are a huge leap forward. Car nine, after the two crash test cars, will be the first production intent car. What cars does it put you in mind of? Before I drove it I assumed there would be AMG overtones, but this is not a muscle saloon like a C63, it's more finessed and nuanced than that. There's already a Porsche-like precision to the way it moves, which I suspect is largely due to the fact it's relatively compact, doesn't weigh much and comes from a similar motorsport mentality. This is not a muscle saloon like a C63, it's more finessed and nuanced than that I tell you what, on these initial impressions it drives exactly like you hope a recreated version of the Evo II would drive. With crispness, authority, accuracy and enough charisma to see which way AMG would end up taking its hot road cars. Before they decided the best approach was a hybridised four cylinder. I think I'd have an original Evo II. I completely understand that. It's a legend, but first you need to know two things: it's not very fast and it's a lot of money. The engine is a nat asp 2.5-litre four cylinder with about 230bhp (probably less these days) so 0-60mph takes around seven seconds. Which is going to feel anaemic in 2025. And because they only made 502 (the original intention was 500, all painted the same Blauschwarz metallic, but then Merc built two extra silver cars because they could), a good one nowadays is around £350,000. As I said, being a legend back then means it's an investment now. I haven't driven one, but having had a good nose around it, the new one floats my boat in a way the original doesn't quite. How long will development take? First customer deliveries are planned for early next year, which means Bosch's development schedule is tight and HWA is going to have a very hectic next 12 months. But then they're a race team, they're used to tight deadlines. And once this is done, they get to take it racing anyway. But that's another story. 17 minutes 16 seconds
TimesLIVE
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
South African Jordan Pepper takes maiden DTM victory at Norisring
With 20kg of success ballast on-board thanks to his victory, Pepper started ninth on the grid for Sunday's second race of the weekend. A multi-car incident at the exit of turn one — which forced both Thiim and Bortolotti out — caused an early red flag. After dropping a couple of places at the restart, Pepper emerged from the two mandatory pit-stops in ninth place, consolidating his starting position. It means that Pepper heads into the second half of the DTM season joint second in the drivers' standings, just seven points behind championship leader, Austrian driver Lucas Auer and nephew of former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger in a Mercedes-AMG GT. 'It's been a perfect two weeks and a great way to bounce back after the last three weeks. To finally get that first DTM win, after a difficult Zandvoort, is amazing and coming off a very difficult Spa in terms of physical and mental effort has been great,' said Pepper on his win. The season resumes at the Nürburgring on August 9-10 while the Huracán's successor, the Temerario GT3 will be officially unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 11.
IOL News
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
South African racing driver Jordan Pepper wins his first German DTM race
Jordan Pepper won his first DTM race, behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Huracan. Image: Jordan Pepper via Instagram South Africa has another rising star in the world of German Touring Car racing, with Jordan Pepper scooping his first DTM victory over the weekend. The 28-year-old became the second South African to achieve success in the German racing series in just three years, with compatriot Sheldon van der Linde having won the DTM series in 2022. Pepper, who competes in a TGI Team Lamborghini Huracan Evo2, currently lies third in the 2025 DTM Championship, following his flag-to-flag victory at the Norisring on Saturday, which was the seventh race of the season. He was also the fastest in practice and qualifying. Jordan Pepper: a rising DTM star. Image: Supplied "What an unbelievably emotional moment for me. I am incredibly proud and still cannot really believe it. The final laps seemed to last forever. However, I gave it my all and remained focussed right through to the finish," a delighted Pepper said after the event. He surged ahead of the field, while Thomas Preining (Porsche 911) and Maro Engel (Mercedes AMG GT) fought for their eventual second and third places, aided by a collision that put second-placed Nicki Thiim (Lamborghini) out of contention. Pepper is no stranger to international racing success behind the wheel of some prestigious machinery. In 2020, he won the Bathurst 12-hour as a Bentley works driver, playing a pivotal role in the British marque's success in the GT3 era, which sadly ended with the pandemic. However, after joining Lamborghini in 2021, Pepper went on to dominate the GTWC America championship, alongside fellow factory driver Andrea Caldarelli. Jordan Pepper is the son of South African touring car driver Iain Pepper and brother of Tasmin Pepper, who competed in the former W-Series, a global championship for female drivers. He started karting at a young age, and after joining the VW Polo Cup in 2012, Pepper won the 'Rookie of the Year' award after finishing third in the championship. But there were bigger things ahead, and in 2015, Pepper moved overseas to race for the ABT Sportsline Audi team in the ADAC GT Series. IOL Motoring
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
South Africa's Jordan Pepper claims 1st Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters win
The son of former South African Touring Car driver Iain, Edenvale-born Jordan Pepper, is enjoying a purple patch in his racing career. A former winner of the Bathurst 12 Hour with Bentley and the GTWC America Championship, Pepper's current contract with TGI Lamborghini Team by GRT sees him competing in both the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) and selected endurance-racing events, in a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2. Sharing a car with Luca Engstler and Mirko Bortolotti, Pepper's impressive current form saw him claim victory at the 2025 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on June 29. Buoyed by this success, the former VW Polo Cup and 2014 VW Scirocco Cup champion arrived at the fourth round of this year's DTM Championship, held at the Norisring street circuit in Nuremberg, Germany, filled with confidence. Starting Race 1 from pole position, Pepper's impressive early-race pace came in handy after a slow mandatory pit stop threatened to scupper the team's efforts. With his proud father in attendance and family, including his sister, Tasmin, herself an accomplished racing driver, watching from home, Jordan held off Thomas Preining and Maro Engel to claim his maiden DTM victory. 'What an unbelievably emotional moment for me,' Pepper said. 'I am incredibly proud and still cannot really believe it. The final laps seemed to last forever. However, I gave it my all and remained focused right through to the finish.' Significantly, the win vaulted Pepper into second place in the 2025 DTM Driver's Championship, behind Lucas Auer, who drives for Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf. As a reminder, Pepper's compatriot and fellow former VW Polo Cup driver, Sheldon van der Merwe, became the first South African to win the DTM Driver's title, claiming the 2012 title with BMW. Click here to browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post South Africa's Jordan Pepper Claims His First DTM Win appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
DTM Norisring: Thomas Preining wins chaotic race
Manthey Porsche driver Thomas Preining clinched victory in the second race of the Norisring round in the 2025 DTM season. Preining, who started from sixth on the grid, triumphed thanks to a flawless strategy, beating Emil Frey drivers Jack Aitken and polesitter Thierry Vermeulen, who completed the podium in second and third place respectively. Advertisement The race started with a dramatic incident in Turn 1, involving Marco Wittmann's BMW, the Lamborghinis of Mirko Bortolotti and Nicki Thiim, and Jules Gounon's Mercedes, all of which retired, while Morris Schuring's Porsche was damaged. The red flag was waved to recover the stricken cars and clear debris from the track. The race restarted behind the safety car with polesitter Vermeulen maintaining the lead from Aitken and Preining, who had jumped from sixth to third in the first start. A full-course yellow was called by race control when Fabio Scherer (HRT Ford) suffered a loose wheel; Tom Kalender slowed down to meet the delta time, but his Mercedes was hit from behind by Gilles Magnus' Aston Martin, and both had to retire. 'I wouldn't say I braked too early – drivers just sometimes don't anticipate it,' Kalender explained to 'I saw three or four seconds left on the dash, which is normal. Advertisement 'That would've been the usual braking point. I don't know what the other driver was thinking, but it happened. You can't just vanish into thin air. It was a typical racing incident.' Ayhancan Güven, Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3-R, Tom Kalender, Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf Mercedes-AMG GT3, Morris Schuring, Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3-R Ayhancan Güven, Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3-R, Tom Kalender, Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf Mercedes-AMG GT3, Morris Schuring, Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3-R Once the race resumed, the leading pack came in for their first pitstops, but leader Vermeulen was overcut by Aitken and Preining. More attrition occurred in the second half of the race, with Ricardo Feller rear-ending Luca Engstler when braking for the first corner, which ended the Spa 24 Hours winner's race while Feller was able to continue. Advertisement At the front, Preining was closing in on Aitken, trailing the Ferrari driver by less than a second. The 2023 DTM champion braked too late when he made his initial attack at the Dutzendteich hairpin, but then pitted one lap earlier; a swifter service from the Manthey squad put him right on Aitken's tail after the latter's second pitstop. Preining quickly took the lead to win by 1.5s. "I'm obviously very happy – this win was really hard-fought today," Preining told "I had a fantastic start, moving from sixth to third, which is tough on the outside here, but it worked out well. After that, it was a brutal battle with Jack. "We overtook Thierry thanks to strategy. Jack didn't give me an inch, but I think it was fair and great entertainment for the fans. As always, we had a full house here, and it was nice to deliver a cool show." Maro Engel took fourth ahead of Arjun Maini and the third Emily Frey Ferrari driver, Ben Green. Rene Rast salvaged seventh position but dropped to sixth in the drivers' standings, still led by Lucas Auer (Landgraf Mercedes), who finished eighth. Advertisement Preining is now tied on points with Saturday race winner Jordan Pepper, both of whom trail Auer by seven points. The DTM will return in five weeks' time at the Nurburgring, on 9-10 August. Race 2 results To read more articles visit our website.
