"What's not to love about a practical four-door grocery getter that can also drive like a race car?"
- HASTE
"The irony of design is that the smaller the box you put yourself in as a designer, the more you must flex your mind to bend and push against it."
- HASTE
THE PARADIGM - M.H.C. 030
What's not to love about a practical four-door grocery getter that can also drive like a race car? The Mercedes 190E wasn't always on our radar, but we are certainly aware of its rich history in the DTM hall of fame. It's a car from a very specific and arguably one of the best eras in automotive history. We wouldn’t argue with that statement.
When Carlos and I embarked on the quest to redesign this icon, we knew it wouldn't be easy. We were well aware of the numerous renditions this platform has seen, each with its own voice and unique statement. We understood that attempting our own design of the 190E meant bringing all our design knowledge and conceptual thinking to the table.
The irony of design is that the smaller the box you put yourself in as a designer, the more you must flex your mind to bend and push against it. With each iteration, we broke down and rebuilt the walls of what we considered aesthetically pleasing, original, and authentic to our own voice as designers, while never forgetting the icon we were building upon. It's a delicate balance in design—respecting the past while thinking forward toward the future. With the Paradigm, we aimed to do just that.
- HASTE
THE PARADIGM - M.H.C. 030
We named this build The Paradigm because we hope it opens a dialogue about what is possible with an iconic car like the Mercedes 190E. Our aim is to challenge conventional thinking and reimagine something from the past with fresh imagination. Throughout the design process, our goal was to advance the conversation: how can we take an everyday sedan, transformed into a dogfighting DTM race car, and push its evolution even further?
As is typical with our designs, we leaned into our instincts: we went wider and lower. By shifting key aspects of the car and adding a "sitting speed" aesthetic, we aimed to make the vehicle look like a weapon. We removed the practical nature of the rear doors, transforming the 190E Paradigm into a two-door vehicle by cutting the door into thirds, allowing the lower third to channel air around the body at speed.
As big fans of racing, the DTM competition has had a massive influence on how we understand the sport. Therefore, we wanted to pay homage to one of the most iconic liveries from the 90s: the SONAX BLACK edition. It's a fun way to connect and bridge the gap between the past and the future, adding a twist of excitement by featuring HASTE as our main sponsor.
The legendary Silver Arrows from Mercedes-Benz have a storied history in motorsport, symbolizing speed and innovation. The use of silver car paint dates back to 1934, when Mercedes-Benz famously stripped the white paint off their W25 race car to meet weight regulations, revealing the shining aluminum body underneath. This sleek, unpainted look became iconic, cementing the Silver Arrows' legacy and inspiring the continued use of silver paint in their high-performance vehicles. Therefore, it was a no-brainer to bring back that iconic look to our creation, fitting it perfectly as a tribute to this storied heritage.
- HASTE
THE PARADIGM - M.H.C. 030
We reduced the size of the mirrors to decrease drag and expanded the car’s track width by nearly 8 inches (20 cm). We reimagined the front fascia, opting to distill it down to the essentials while maintaining the iconic portions of the 190 chassis. We kept the iconic grille and hood emblem but replaced the aged headlights with our custom-designed MHC headlights, which are a signature feature on many of our builds. These headlights not only enhance visibility but also function as an additional air intake, crucial for engineering performance. They can be covered for daytime track activities.
What makes The Paradigm special to us is our attempt to retain and maintain the iconic lines of the 190 chassis while introducing new concepts. Instead of simply remixing the DTM race lines, we considered how we could go beyond that. Design for us isn't just about preserving the past; it's also about redefining it. We explored all the negative spaces we could remove and introduced new ways for the vehicle to direct and divert air at high speeds. This approach allowed us to creatively expose the front, rear, and lower sides of the car, enhancing both its form and function.
A few iconic elements we couldn’t touch out of respect for their perfection are the rear EVO wing and the three-ribbed rear tail lights. The EVO wing, unmistakably the DTM EVO's crown jewel, remains untouched in our redesign, standing as a testament to its timelessness. The three-ribbed rear tail lights, with their nostalgic charm, tie the new design to its historic roots, reminding us why we love this car and why these features are integral to our rendition.
- HASTE
"By shifting key aspects of the car and adding a "sitting speed" aesthetic, we aimed to make the vehicle look like a weapon."
- HASTE
THE PARADIGM - M.H.C. 030
For those familiar with our process, we always start with the side profile, which we call the signature of a car. A strong signature, characterized by a few bold, true strokes and a few supporting elements, can stand the test of time. Achieving this balance for the 190 wasn’t easy. Through many iterations, we sought to understand its shape and form language, ultimately finding its voice and letting it resonate.
After establishing a strong side profile, we move to the front 3/4 and rear 3/4 views to assess the lines and proportions. If the design holds up, we proceed to the next step: laying out the dimensional master line splines in 3D. This stage helps us visualize how the body lines will flow, where the highlights will live, and where the shadows will pool. This early stage of design is often our favorite as it reveals the potential of what’s to come.
During our design process, we discussed our project with Tim and Elvis at Trick Factory Customs, knowing Tim’s affinity for 190s through his incredible Evil Evo build. We shared our base sketches with them, hoping they might be interested in bringing The Paradigm to life. Thankfully, we connected and embarked on this journey together. Building The Paradigm requires a special group of skilled individuals with both courage and knowledge, and we couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with Trick Factory Customs. For us, it’s all about finding the right team to work with because Together we go further... always.
- HASTE
"The EVO wing, unmistakably the DTM EVO's crown jewel, remains untouched in our redesign."
- HASTE
"What makes The Paradigm special to us is our attempt to retain and maintain the iconic lines of the 190 chassis while introducing new concepts."
- HASTE
THE PARADIGM - M.H.C. 030
Knowing that the EVO would become a real build, we requested a high-fidelity scan of the donor car for The Paradigm. This allowed us to prototype panels and geometry to exact specifications, ensuring a smooth transition from digital to physical manufacturing. This approach is relatively new for us, and we love it—there’s nothing like leveraging technology to turn dreams into reality.
One of the key areas we’ve been focusing on is our identity as HASTE. We aim to create something iconic with each build. This journey toward becoming iconic has been growing for a few years, and one of the first significant steps in this direction is establishing HASTE’s identity. This includes our own livery and a unique way of expressing our love for automotive, racing, design, and the pure essence of it all. You will see more of this livery as our builds develop.
The Paradigm build was a real challenge for us. It pushed back at every step, but as we progressed, the design began to flow more naturally. We learn the most from our failures, and this build taught us invaluable lessons. Through repeated trials, new concepts, and relentless testing, we grew as designers. We are grateful for this build and honored to include it in the HASTE family.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the original designers and the incredible team of men and women who created this icon and kept it alive. Thank you.
- HASTE
"It's a delicate balance in design—respecting the past while thinking forward toward the future."
- HASTE
"For us, it’s all about finding the right team to work with because Together we go further... always."
- HASTE
"A heartfelt thank you goes to the original designers and the incredible team of men and women who created this icon and kept it alive. Thank you!"
- HASTE
CREDITS
Design + Modeling + Rendering - Colorsponge
Design + Modeling + Rendering - Ash Thorp
3D Modeler - Alexey Ryabov
Real World Build Team - Trick Factory Customs
HDRI assets provided by - CGI Backgrounds
Special thanks - Plasticity
© 2022 by Make Haste Corp
Ludicrous Speed Science inc 2022
685115888886808576
Creator's
Ash Thorp
Carlos Pecino A.K.A ColorSponge
Incept - 050520
Contact
info@makehastecorp.com
