Homologation Specials: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II

In the 1980s and ’90s, Mercedes-Benz produced nearly two million units of the 190 compact sedan, but these were not created equally. The variants of the entry-level Merc ranged from beige Moroccan taxi cabs with workhorse diesels under the hood and fewer amenities than a room at the YMCA, to the homologation specials with Cosworth-and-AMG-developed engines wearing aero kits shaped by wind tunnels and phDs.
The ultimate road-going iteration, the 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II featured in today’s film driven by none other than Alain de Cadenet, was born to support Mercedes’s battle with BMW and Audi in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM), homologating the competition version that went on to win the manufacturers’ championship in 1991 and 1992, besting its rivals during one of the headiest periods of touring car motorsport.
But even without the achievements of its racing relative, the street legal version was fated for infamy. The almost egregiously tall rear wing and the rest of the bodywork augmentations are emblematic of the era it was born into, and although its styling has been polarizing car enthusiasts for three decades and counting, there is no denying that this car has presence. It’s a lot to look at, but what’s it like to drive? Is there a better way to answer that question than to put one in the talented hands of Alain de Cadenet on a winding mountain road in Portugal? Not likely.
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[@darrenprior6339]

Still one of the most beautifully proportioned sedans ever made, in my opinion. Modern and timeless, nearly 40yrs later. Incredible engineering.

[@DavidZechariah]

Lol-) that's quite the stretch

[@MetalAddict99]

Filmed in Gerês, Portugal, beautiful car in a beautiful place indeed

[@MrRX75]

Pqq eles filmam ca, sao tugas? Abraço

[@MetalAddict99]

@@MrRX75 penso que os realizadores não são portugueses mas o dono do carro sim.

[@OverAuto1]

This car is stunning. I've got one like this, but is in a box on a shelf on the wall inside my house. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3q7lq1_gr9lh80

[@achintyaaatreya]

Alain De Cadenet is a great personality. Yes, a bit old-school but we need people like him. As far as grandads go, he is up there. We also need homologation specials today,more cars like GR Yaris. I could listen his automotive stories al day.

[@asdref1234]

I'm astonished by the fact that the Yaris GR it's the first car that I though too!

[@Doncan0823]

We needs lots more like him. Old school is the proper school. Other than Harris, the new generation is disgusting.

[@achintyaaatreya]

@@Doncan0823 Yes,not only people who appreciate manual gearboxes and NA engines but also aren't afraid to get CASTROL on their fingers. Proper petrolheads,not pu***ies!!

[@wafflesnfalafel1]

right - I love his Victory by Design work

[@Porsche996driver]

Alain is awesome.

[@Nexus.Achiles]

The 190 was my favourite car when I was a kid. Still looks great today.

[@RedNovaGaming]

I 100% agree. The design is timeless (depending on the year and spec)

[@stevenpam]

Such a handsome car. Have been very tempted to get one but they're become impractical as a daily (where I live, anyway). I compromised and got a 202 instead!

[@Asillyhobo]

I used to love watching Victory by Design with Alain de Cadenet! What a pleasant surprise!

[@CarToneHK]

What an amazing series that was

[@OvlovC70]

Same!! I used to watch it while getting ready for elementary school back in the day haha

[@minatormyth]

Oh yes, I concur with that🤘

[@Baloodini]

My favorite series about the best automobiles the world has to offer. I could never get bored with it.

[@OverAuto1]

This car is stunning. I've got one like this, but is in a box on a shelf on the wall inside my house. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3q7lq1_gr9lh80

[@minatormyth]

Ah, anything with Alan in is worth watching. Love his work in presenting cars🤗😎

[@richardsmith9509]

Its Alain not Alan although he Briticizes it ,....

[@bekabeka71]

@@richardsmith9509did he briticise it?

[@nikosstories]

I have a simple 190E 1.800cc and i drive it every Summer in Greece. That feeling of freedom when i drive it is amazing! Great car 💯💯

[@g.t.watson6796]

Alain's old show "Victory by Design" was such a great series.

[@Porsche996driver]

Yes yes yes! Incredible series with significant global race cars and Alain’s wonderful stories! Is that show on YT?

[@DuBstep115]

"It all came right in 1972". I can't sleep it haunts me, what came right in 1972?

[@thepassionofthegoose5472]

Should have been 1992, not 72.

[@tremoo5987]

[@erichakanson7010]

Yeah I think Alain meant 1992, when Klaus Ludwig won his 2nd of 3 (iirc?) DTM titles. Interesting side note, one of the 502 Evo II's is for sale right now on Bring a Trailer.

[@nl3712]

Slip of tongue - 92

[@Studiosatoshi]

Never enough content of the 190e

[@OverAuto1]

This car is stunning. I've got one like this, but is in a box on a shelf on the wall inside my house. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3q7lq1_gr9lh80

[@Robcomesana]

Despite i miss the old format, having this Merc, Petrolicius, Mr. de Cadenet and Portugal in the same video is superb. Thanks for this Christmas gift 😁👌🏽

[@OverAuto1]

This car is stunning. I've got one like this, but is in a box on a shelf on the wall inside my house. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3q7lq1_gr9lh80

[@evanneiswanger]

I’ve grown to love 90s cars the past 2 years. This car is stunning 🤩

[@jeramiebradford1]

After they won the 1972 Championship they should have immediately taken it back to 1955 to race Doc's DeLorean.

[@OverAuto1]

This car is stunning. I've got one like this, but is in a box on a shelf on the wall inside my house. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3q7lq1_gr9lh80

[@gregbrenzil9570]

I would completely believe this was recorded in the 90's as a new review.

[@OverAuto1]

This car is stunning. I've got one like this, but is in a box on a shelf on the wall inside my house. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3q7lq1_gr9lh80

[@Crusadekoala]

My first car was a 190E 2.3. I wanted the 2.6 but the fuel consumption was just too much to afford at the time. I had that car for almost 3 years. 243.000km when I bought it and I didn't have a single issue with it. Was almost at 290.000 when I sold it. The 190E will always be in my heart, it was amazing getting my first car who was both more comfortable and more powerful than what my friends bought for at pretty much the same price. I learned to drive in a W123 2.4D and a 190E 2.5D so Mercedes was always in the cards. But God I would love to try a 2.5 Evo. I have so many happy memories from the 190E.

[@mzimkhulutwala9342]

Alain De Cadenet is a class act when coming to this sort of content. Spectacular. Absolutely singular.

[@jfrazao]

Looks a Portuguese car license plate going around in Braga, not Spain!!

[@ricardopereira2746]

Serra do Gerês, actually ;)

[@basstrammel1322]

I was lucky enough to hitch 2-3 rides in the Grimstad EVO 2 during the early 00's. Crazy days, indeed.

[@pedroleal6311]

I'm glad to know that there is an incredible car like that one in my country, Portugal!!

[@EconomicsMate1]

Im a proud owner of a 93' 190E 2.0. Yes its no evo 2, but its def a classic. Ill be making my own replica of the 190E evo 2. Since the real one costs over 500k here.

[@00xxsorenxx00]

You, my friend, have an amazing car in your possession. I have a 89' 190E 2.0 4-speed manual which is my first car and couldn't be more honored and proud every time floor the gas pedel. No evo 2 indeed, but shes quick nontheless and the happiest between 150-170 km/t! (I don't condone speeding lol). Cheers mate!

[@ryn0287]

i bought my first car 3 years ago,it's a 2.3 8v with zender kits,and i love it.it's my daily drive car and it's a blast :D Love to go to the classic shows and car meetings with it.

[@brunoGRful]

@@ryn0287 tens fotos disso amigo?

[@ryn0287]

@@brunoGRful photos.app.goo.gl/2tYCLaSqwrvzt8Z47 neste momento assim,indo arranjando aos poucos :)

[@00xxsorenxx00]

@@ryn0287 wauw she’s a beauty!!!

[@creekfreak1997]

I could listen to this man review a microwave and still enjoy it. Thank you sir!

[@suprastevio2264]

Willem Dafoe is looking really good lately 👍

[@DoubleOSevan]

Petrolicious dropping an exquisite (chef's kiss) video right when we need them most.

[@gordonetgate]

One of the most beautiful sedans

[@A-Tango]

It is always a pleasure to hear Alain De Cadenet talking about cars. Victory by Design was an amazing series. I'd love to see episodes like this one but longer.

[@stephen9869]

I like this guy, this reminds me of Top Gear before it became a childish family show.

[@Mile-long-list]

Top gear is 100% the worst. Clapping and cheering tards in the audience it's such a terrible format

[@axioms22]

Top Gear has always been a fun show, especially the original ones with Hammond, Clarkson and May, it's what made the show so amazing it was fun and accessible and could be enjoyed even by non hard-core car folks, you need to get your head out of your ass you stupid hipster

[@papaannefranku9693]

So you mean fifth gear then.

[@jongeddes09]

Top Gear thrived as a fun, family show. It suited its audience as intended.

[@richarddutchholland4780]

@@axioms22 obviously you know fuck all about Top Gear. The Original ones like Clarkson, May and Hammon? Top Gear was running decades before these guy joined.

[@michaelh.1627]

I always learn something so interesting from Mr. de Cadenet’s videos and this was no exception. Thank you so much, Alain, for enriching my day.

[@kosokuco]

Massive fan of Alain De Cadenet!! Still have my full box set of the Victory By Design series from the early 2000s. Awesome video.

[@DriversSide]

These cars are so cool! some of the best looking flares that came out of this era and WHAT AN ENGINE!

[@PanAmRacer]

Great cars! I raced against Alain in the 1990 and 1991 Carrera Panamericana. He is a real nice chap, Cheers!

[@ZKITPO]

Ah the legendary Pommes Theke. Superb car.

[@carlossimoes2925]

Beautiful film... in Portugal - Gerês! And, of course... The Mercedes 190 🙌🏾

[@rubenanacleto24]

🇵🇹 Gerês... How beautiful this country is.

[@L3GHO5T]

One of the coolest cars ever made

[@ginormousbones]

Another great story / video from Alain ! one of the BEST.

[@MyNameNotRickB]

Grew up watching them fight on the track it was beautiful. Gave me a lifelong passion.

[@michalviktorin6758]

It really sits nice on the road by the looks of it. This car must be epic to drive for sure.

[@Neon-Puritan]

(3:46) 1972? Evo II? Way ahead of its time, eh?

[@niipheus]

I hate those kind of mistakes when talking about any subject. It makes me wonder do they even know what the fuck are they talking about!

[@Neon-Puritan]

Yeah.​

[@00xxsorenxx00]

1992 it was, but this car was indeed ahead of its time ;-)

[@BMWM3GTS92]

Slip of tongue happened even to the best in the industry. We're all mortals and this is an imperfect world. We'd be driving homologation specials today if it is.

[@IJMacfarlane]

@@BMWM3GTS92 Yup. Alain knows what he's talking about.

[@miguelmc2289]

um parabéns ao proprietário por pôr uma matrícula portuguesa na Petrolicious. Que exemplar! E que grande máquina

[@psychomonk3391]

Tem matricula holandesa

[@mjfromla]

Throwback to Alain's "Victory by Design" show that aired on Speedvision back in the day (here in the US).

[@skywalker5026]

One of the best looking late-80s early 90s car out there

[@robertchalmers8487]

THIS was amazing, I absolutely loved it, huge fan of Alan already

[@OverAuto1]

This car is stunning. I've got one like this, but is in a box on a shelf on the wall inside my house. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3q7lq1_gr9lh80

[@gregorizi]

One of best classic sedans

[@JordanPayneLV]

Loved this, I have always loved the 190E, but man they’re pricey these days!

[@AlexSami-qw4qu]

Gorgeous. A classic. One of my dream cars.

[@gordonho5986]

Thanks for the video, Merry Xmas!

[@LeontariF1]

This and the M3 Evo II were my dream cars as a kid, the Mercedes a bit more so I had a big poster of it in my room looking and lasting over it every single day. They still are to this day!

[@jpngion]

Brilliant stuff! Always loved the 190E!

[@weets69]

Also luv the 190E. Owned a standard 1989 for a few years. Purchased from family friend who purchased it in Austria new. Used it there, then had it shipped to the US. He moved back to Austria in 2004 sold it to me then. Such a enjoyable car to drive. Not fast but the ride quality was excellent. What stunned me was what he paid for it new. He had the original window sticker when I purchased it from me. List was $43K US dollars. That’s insane for 1989. Now it’s was no 2.5 16v Cos but for a weekend way but a great touring car. Great vid and beautiful car.

[@adamt.mercer4923]

Love this channel! Plus when Alain de Cadenet is driving and narrating? Keeps me coming back for every history lesson in Motorsport! Bravo!

[@stevofoo]

This is definitely my dream car!!! And such a great documentary film!!!

[@853massey]

Another magnificent car to show, great video.

[@EaziD]

VICTORY BY DESIGN. He was great in that series. That being said if anyone has a source available digitally....

[@melvinburwell8202]

One of my most prized dream cars. Beautiful! 😎👍👍🥰🤑🍷

[@Luisml8]

my father used to work on a replacement mercedes benz part company... i was used to see many mercedes models in the company... but there was one special day, i remember seeing this car i it amazed me how different it look, i was like 16years old im 40now.

[@OneManOnFire]

I have a replica version of the Evo 2. I had one in a billion chance to park it next to a real Evo 2

[@evenkristoffersen6501]

what engine?

[@OneManOnFire]

@@evenkristoffersen6501 2.3-16v you can see videos on my page

[@D4RKBRU73]

I saw it. Plz take good care of it

[@dazz400]

C’mon Alan, get your own channel up & running, we need more guys like you on here 👍🏻

[@mgbrv8]

Alian was a real treat and surprise!!

[@3DLA92]

Ver um carro desses deve ser incrível uma lenda dessas DTM incrível 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@chrissanders5270]

Good to see him on the web. Great driver and presenter.

[@machina_spirit]

Excellent info, dialogue, editing, cinematography and angles! Not too long and not too short in length either, fantastic! Always loved this car and its boxy aggressive shape and of course the dog-leg shifter (weird he didn’t mention it?). Just wish the video featured more exhaust note at WoT and redlining to hear that Cosworth engine scream!

[@StephenBrewer89]

This car is so beautiful. Timeless.

[@mopck1]

Thank you, great video !

[@paulboland8515]

First one of your vids ive watched and so glad as i now have something great to watch.... Many thanks 🚘👍

[@joshuad1716]

One of the most beautiful cars of all time

[@iPhone-jj1qi]

Can you guys bring back the old format?

[@ThePhillkillv2]

Once again, these were likely filmed before Covid-19 came around. The 'old format' isn't going anywhere.

[@vitorfariaa]

Either the description is wrong or they are pretty bad at geography, this wasn't filmed in Spain, it was in Portugal in Terras de Bouro

[@coolguyponus]

This car always reminded me of the "Sentinel" or the "Mafia car" from Grand Theft Auto 3. On a less silly note; I've just discovered this Alain fellow, and my goodness, I could listen to him talk about cars all day long.

[@Philippe44]

10/10 video this is going in my best of yt offline underground capsule.

[@DpKris]

Alain De Cadenet, what a pleasant surprise.

[@yesthisisrp25]

What a machine. Also, those pre-1992 Portuguese numberplates...

[@ruipereira6518]

Perfeito. Felizmente o proprietário não aderiu às matrículas novas!

[@ruiduarteoliveira]

Este carro foi importado, tendo em conta a ‘numeração’ da matrícula.

[@yesthisisrp25]

@@ruiduarteoliveira pois é, só a partir de meados de 92 é que começaram a ser atribuídas as matrículas com as letras no final...quanto mais as letras PI, que são de 2000

[@keepingitdownwiththepashas]

more of this guy please!!!!!

[@RaceGasSmellsGood]

Love these cars! Hardly see them (as expected), but when I do, they stop me in my tracks!

[@the911meet]

Alian just made my 2020...... 🙏🏾🙌🏾

[@hunzolee]

Great presentation !

[@Cooperage911]

Awesome car, man and story. Petrolicious. Thank you!

[@thepassionofthegoose5472]

Had an 86 2.3-16 in silver. Great DD that was fun on a back road.

[@arunbikerpaul4735]

👏🏽 please bring in more videos like em. Classic video this. 👌🏽

[@perigotube]

190190 E 2.5-16 on Rio Caldo more specifically on Praia fluvial de Alqueirão. Just amazing

[@rideroundandstuff]

Absolute otherworldly car cleaning skills must have played a part at the shots around 03:15 - so stunningly smooth! edit: And very nice grading at around 06:58!

[@rolandalfonso6954]

What a car and what history!

[@lookintoitbrah6127]

Excellent Video!

[@peteryuen505]

Man. This car worth so much money now! Evolution!

[@ilmonza]

My all time dream car, love the video!

[@TheRealEMURSE]

Pure class. All of that era

[@Fran_SG]

A very special car that I love.

[@Themrmojorisin7]

Amazing car, amazing place! I’m from Porto, and i love to go there no summer!

[@seanmcneill8899]

Top car and very well presented by Alain, please Petrolicious keep this Quality up.

[@glemmeren]

Proud owner of a 190D 2.5 88mod. Never let me down.

[@chrisegnatz3668]

De Cadenet is the man!Remember seeinghim driving a car and pulling G's on a turn.

[@basithph8958]

I just love the 190E it’s a superb car

[@KhayyamAbdullah]

Superb review

[@Mile-long-list]

Alain you're a great driver a wonderful spokesman and keep it up you need to be here more 100%

[@GavinMalm]

Alain De Cadenet is the man! Loved me some Victory by Design when I was a kid.

[@MrBeboopman]

What an absolute legend.. superb as always. And the cars not too bad either. 😁😁

[@mikev3999]

Same as comments below... HUGE fan of Victory by Design!! Haven't seen him in years. More Alain please!!! 😃

[@jtiagomachado]

That video was filmed in Portugal, near the border with Spain, but is Portugal. (also PT license plate)

[@seg6993]

You are right... I lived near that region the last years. Perfect place for such a car

[@Robcomesana]

You are completely right. The final part of the video is here: maps.app.goo.gl/pHZLy76K6DzCs2Po7 I live in Spain and, due to sanitary restrictions, this is the first year I haven't been to Portugal at least once a month to get lost in such a great country. Geres is a wonderful area, really deserves a visit. I hope to be able to go back soon.

[@andresvieira7943]

@@Robcomesana I've been in that exact road with a friend. Not in cars, but bikes, however it's a beautiful place. It's interesting to see that you, like me, use to go to Portugal ; It's just difficult to go now with all the restrictions and the pandemic going on. I live really really close to portugal (southern Galicia) and it's such a shame :(

[@richardvandervoort]

Lovely to see it beiing driven Around, great car

[@nylegend]

"Magic" of the original petrolicious videos is gone smh!

[@mohmoudfarah1897]

Great car and Great narration; thank you for sharing it with us. I have always liked that tall rear spoiler, I must add.

[@OverAuto1]

This car is stunning. I've got one like this, but is in a box on a shelf on the wall inside my house. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3q7lq1_gr9lh80