User blog:1steditionman/2017 CAR CULTURE MODERN CLASSICS

2017 CAR CULTURE MODERN CLASSICS With this late 2017 set of five cars, Hot Wheels' Car Culture Series says good bye to the 2017 Model Year with a bang. One new casting and four other favorites from Europe and Japan make up this collection for all of us who appreciate modern classics. All cars are premium adult collectibles with all-metal construction and RR wheels. Of all these, the Mercedes 190 is to me the most interesting. The Mercedes 190 2.5-16 EVO II has to have one of the longest names of all Hot Wheels cars. What does it mean? "190" It is the commercial nameplate given to the W201 chassis of 1982-1993. The "2.5" represents the 2.5-liter, 16-valve Cosworth engine developed in 1988 from the original Cosworth 2.3. The "EVO" is just the designation given to all cars homologated to allow race versions for ITC/DTM racing. So very few (500) were made! The "II" is the latest version with engine and suspension enhancements, body kit, 17" wheels and aero package. So this casting represent the epitome of the 190 evolution and development. Mattel doesn't tell us but we're talking about a year 1990 car with 224 hp and a 155 mph top speed. This car's direct competitor, on both track and street was the BMW M3, which also forms part of this collection (thank you for that Matty!!). I'd like to point out that this is not the first time Hot Wheels makes a 190. In 1994, a former Corgi 190E 2.6 was released as a casting debut. I have the 1997 version in gold and, even though it has a very uncharacteristic, plain plastic base, I love the casting. The successor of the 190 was the C Class, which has also been made by many diecast companies, including Mattel as both Hot Wheels and Matchbox.



1steditionman (talk) 06:05, April 17, 2018 (UTC)