Hot Wheels PREMIUM Car Culture 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 EVOLUTION II

The Hot Wheels 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II, catalog number HRV98, is a 1:64 scale premium collectible model released as part of the Hot Wheels Car Culture: Modern Classics series. The model is aimed at adult collectors, fans of German automotive engineering, and enthusiasts of late 1980s and early 1990s DTM racing.

The Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 casting was designed by Mark Jones and debuted in 2017 in the Car Culture: Modern Classics series. The HRV98 unit is from 2024 and is positioned 2/5 in the series, featuring the full name "1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II" on the packaging. The most distinctive feature of this release is its finish: both the body and chassis are made of raw ZAMAC, an unpainted zinc alloy that provides a characteristic, raw metallic sheen. Tampo prints include detailed headlights, taillights, emblems, and body trim. The windows are tinted, the interior is black, and the model rolls on GRRA wheels — gray Real Riders AeroDisc dish wheels with rubber tires. The country of manufacture is Thailand.

The original vehicle is the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II, a high-performance variant of the W201 model developed in collaboration with Cosworth and produced between 1990 and 1991. It is powered by a short-stroke, 2.5-liter inline-four M102 engine with the AMG PowerPack, producing approximately 235 hp and sending power to the rear axle. The car's most recognizable feature is its radical aerodynamic package designed by Richard Läpple, a professor at the University of Stuttgart, featuring a large adjustable wing and a rear window spoiler tested in a wind tunnel. The wing caused so much controversy at the time that BMW's R&D chief, Wolfgang Reitzle, reportedly commented that "the laws of aerodynamics must be different in Munich and Stuttgart." A total of 502 units were built to meet DTM homologation requirements.

The collectible value of this release stems from the limited production runs of the Car Culture series, the raw ZAMAC finish—always sought after by collectors—and the rubber Real Riders tires. The original car itself is one of the most iconic homologation specials in Mercedes history.

FAQ

Is the Hot Wheels 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II HRV98 a ZAMAC version?
Yes. Both the body and chassis are made of raw, unpainted ZAMAC, which gives it a characteristic metallic sheen.

In which series was this model released?
It is position 2/5 in the 2024 Hot Wheels Car Culture: Modern Classics series.

What kind of wheels does this Hot Wheels model have?
The model rides on gray GRRA wheels — Real Riders AeroDisc dish rims with rubber tires.