Reviving Legends: Mercedes 190E Evo II Replica

Lowering a Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II over a set of BBS wheels? I can almost hear the purists falling off their chairs. But fear not, this is a replica. And it’s so meticulously crafted that you can barely tell the difference from the outside. I spotted this gem at Ultrace, lined up with other classic models from the Mercedes-Benz catalogue.

These days, you can transform a standard Mercedes-Benz 190E into a true legend. A quick search for an Evo II body kit for the Mercedes-Benz 190E yields plenty of results on Google. So, if you own a 190E, the possibilities are endless. Genuine Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution IIs have become prohibitively expensive, which isn’t surprising given that only 502 units were ever made. If recent auction prices are anything to go by, they now fetch no less than €300,000.

Back to this well-crafted replica, the owner has added several personal touches. Most striking are the BBS LM wheels that fill the wheel arches nicely, thanks in part to the air ride suspension.

Classic Revival: Lancia Delta Integrale at Ultrace

Is there a more beautiful car than the Lancia Delta Integrale? Spotting one is rare these days, so imagine my delight when I saw not one, but two at Ultrace. This particular model immediately caught my eye with its deep dark blue paint and stunning 17” silver Work Meister S1 wheels. A perfect combination!

The car has been fully restored by its current owner, who shuns social media. This was a nut-and-bolt restoration, meaning the car was completely stripped down, meticulously refurbished, repainted, and reassembled. Parts for a car like this are no longer stocked at your local Lancia dealer, so the owner had to scour far and wide to find the right components to restore it to pristine showroom condition.

The end result is a magnificent example in the color “Blue Lord.” The owner didn’t stop at just restoring the car; he also found areas for improvement. The most noticeable modification is the lowered suspension, achieved using a specially developed KW Competition coilover kit. This setup is complemented by a Gepfeffert HLS kit, allowing the car to be raised or lowered at the push of a button—very handy for navigating those pesky speed bumps at the end of the street.

Absolute Motors’ Tribute to the Iconic Audi RS2

In the realm of Audi, the “RS” badge is synonymous with the pinnacle of performance within each model line. Almst every Audi model has its own RS variant, with the Avant versions, such as the RS4 and RS6, being particularly popular. During my pilgrimage to Ultrace in Wrocław, Poland this year, I encountered this stunning RS6 built by Absolute Motors. This specimen hails from the latest, fourth generation, the C8. The RS Avant lineage traces back to 1994, when the Audi RS2 Avant made its debut.

The Audi RS2 Avant was the first to bear the RS designation and was launched in the legendary Nagaro Blue color. This car and color have since achieved iconic status among Audi enthusiasts, including the team at Absolute Motors. Their Audi RS6 pays homage to the RS2 in several meticulous ways.

Starting with the exterior, it’s resprayed in the signature Nagaro Blue, directly referencing the original RS2. The car is outfitted with an upper rear wing, lower side sill extensions, a lower front bumper apron, and a replacement rear diffuser, all sourced from Urban Automotive and finished in carbon fiber. A subtle detail not to be overlooked is the RS badge at the rear, styled after the RS2’s emblem but updated to RS6, complete with a nod to the original Porsche collaboration, but more on that later.

Ultrace 2024: A First Timer’s Journey

Honestly, I had no idea what to expect since this was my first time at Ultrace. But one thing is certain: it far exceeded my expectations. Late Thursday night, I set off from the Netherlands, heading towards Wrocław, Poland, the home of Ultrace since its inception. After a nine-hour drive, I arrived on Friday, and, unable to check into my hotel just yet, I went straight to the event at the Tarczyński Arena Wrocław.

Finding a parking spot, I headed to the press registration center. Luckily, the good folks from Revworks were there to guide me in the right direction. With my press pass and camera in hand, I stepped onto the grounds, and what I saw blew me away. I was literally overwhelmed, spending the first hour just gaping at everything that was already in place.

Friday is the day when the last cars are positioned, and the organizers put the finishing touches on everything. The event officially opens at noon on Saturday, so Friday offered a perfect opportunity to acclimate, especially with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius.