YO U N G T I M E R S
1990 Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo II Launched in March 1990, the 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II was the most powerful variant of the Mercedes-Benz W201 series. It used the AMG PowerPack fitted to the same short-stroke
2463cc engine as the original Evolution, which produced 232bhp. The car featured fully adjustable suspension that allowed the ride height to be lowered via an interior
1999 Alpina B12 6.0 Based on the E38 7-series, the Alpina B12 used either a 5.7- or 6.0-litre V12. Exterior changes included an Alpina chin spoiler, 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels and optional Alpina pinstriping, as well as the company’s signature blue-and-green interior stitching inside. This example is a 1999 B12 with the later 6.0-litre engine developing 424bhp, complete with
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Mahle aluminium pistons and modified camshafts. At the time, it was the largest and most powerful naturally aspirated engine made by the manufacturer. It is capable of 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and a 181mph top speed, while this car is finished in distinctive BMW Twilight Purple metallic paint. A total of 94 B12 6.0s were built for the entire world, making this UK-spec model a very rare car.
switch. It also sported a radical bodykit complete with a large, adjustable rear wing and back window spoiler, and Evolution II 17-inch alloy wheels. Period anecdotes tell
of competitor BMW’s research and development chief Wolfgang Reitzle saying: “The laws of aerodynamics must be different between Munich and Stuttgart;
if that rear wing works, we’ll have to redesign our wind tunnel.” The anecdote also claims that BMW did, indeed, redesign its wind tunnel afterwards...
