The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is, without question, one of the baddest new vehicles you can buy. And the outrageous V12-powered G65 AMG (which isn’t available in the U.S.) is the high school super senior of the SUV kingdom. You know, the guy always puts his feet on the furniture, sneaks in smoke breaks in the bathroom, addresses each faculty member with “Yo, Teach!,” does just enough to maintain a D- average, and has fathered at least one child. Yeah, that guy. Like the G65, he won’t go very far in life (or on a tank of gas, as the case may be), but man, does he know how to have a good time.
But what if you want a big, blocky big block Benz that is even more of a party animal? Well, Hamann has created a tuning package for the ultimate G-Wagen called Spyridon. And if you like ostentatious, boy, have you come to the right place.
This year’s Geneva Motor Show (which runs through this Sunday in case you’re in the neighborhood) is stacked to the rafters with new tuned and customized cars from Europe’s most popular tuners. It’s almost enough to make a person’s head spin. And all those tuned cars – as well as the numerous stock vehicles – also draw attention away from the vehicles that don’t fit into either of those categories.
Vehicles like, say, this highly-customized chopper. But it hasn’t been built by Arlen Ness or some other well-known chopper shop; no, it’s a product of Hamann. Yes Hamann, the firm better known for sprucing up four-wheeled conveyances from various and sundry European nameplates like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. So what is it doing fooling with an American-style, American-powered motorcycle?
With all the megafast, megabuck supercars – both regular and hybrid – premiering at the Geneva Motor Show, it’s easy to forget that there’s a bumper crop of tuner vehicles at this year’s show. And that’s saying something, because Geneva has for years been a venue favored by one-stop aftermarket shops looking to show off their newest creations. It is neutral soil, after all.
Hamann chose Geneva to debut its latest take on the current F10-chassis BMW M5. It’s called the Mi5Sion, and while it may be stock under the hood, it definitely isn’t stock on the outside.
Back in December 2012, German tuner HAMANN presented their styling package for the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. Now they have extended that offering to include some individualization bits for the M version.
HAMANN’s components are adapted to the original M aerodynamic front and rear valances and include a competition front spoiler for increased downforce and a rear bumper insert with spacing for the four exhaust tail pipes.
When Mercedes-Benz introduced the CLS in 2004, it opened the floodgates for other manufacturers to jump in and offer their “own four-door coupes.” Sister brands Volkswagen and Audi have gone after slices of the pie with the CC and A7 (plus the not-for-America A5 Sportback), respectively, and BMW has just recently thrown its hat into the ring with the 6 Series Gran Coupe. While we certainly question the need for a longer-wheelbase, more-door version of BMW’s big coupe, we don’t have any trouble noticing how freakin’ great it looks.
Of course, as pretty as it is, it isn’t very flashy or mean looking. Even the yet-to-be-officially-revealed M6 Gran Coupe will likely look fairly tame if its two-door and convertible stablemates are any indication. However, it looks like there will be no shortage of cosmetic customization options will be available to spice up the stock Bigger 6er’s lines, including the package from Hamann seen here.
It seems like nary a week goes by when there isn’t a new reinterpretation of the Porsche Panamera being announced by a tuner. Porsche’s first production four-door has, much to the dismay of purists, become a hugely popular jumping off point for tuners on this and other continents. So it’s not terribly surprising that Hamann is already revising its take on the Sir Mix-a-Lot satisfying sedan.
Less than a year ago (November, to be specific), Hamann pulled the wraps off the Cyrano, a beefy, widebody revision of the Panamera Turbo that was treated to extra power. Fast forward nine months to today and we see Hamann squeezing even more muscle out of the 4.8L twin-turbo V8. But before we get to that, a primer on what makes a Cyrano a Cyrano is in order.
The new BMW M5 is wicked quick right out of the wrapper, what with that 560hp turbo V8, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and all. But that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement at the hands of tuners. In fact, we've already seen a few hopped up 2012 M5s debut.
Now Hamann is joining that club. It has been offering an appearance package for the regular F10-generation 5 Series sedans for over a year now, but for the M5, it's an even ballsier body kit. Well, a body kit and loads more power, among other things.
Psssst, hey! Can you keep a secret? Come a little closer. A bit closer…there! Woof, have you ever considered investing in a box of Tic Tacs? Anyway, here it is: We like the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster more than we do the Coupe. We know, we know, the enclosed version’s gullwing doors are boss, and it’s stiffer, meaning it’s a little better in the turns. But the stubby roofline with no quarter windows (the opposite of the timeless original 300SL Gullwing of the mid-1950s) sullies what is an otherwise sexy design, and reaching up to close those doors might take its toll on your left shoulder after a while. The SLS AMG Roadster resolves both of those issues, as well as making fresh air and sunshine a flip of the fabric top away.
And since Mercedes-Benz’s baddest convertible is based on its baddest coupe, tuners only have to tool up a few – if any – new parts. This is good news for companies like Hamann, meaning it can bring its reimagining of the SLS ragtop – the Hawk Roadster – to market that much sooner. (You might remember the Hawk Roadster from last week's Geneva Motor Show top 25, but we're so smitten with it we decided it deserves its own article.) So what does it take to turn a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster into a Hamann Hawk Roadster?
For starters, there’s that snazzy body kit. The new front and rear bumpers, front fenders, side skirts and rear fender flares, as well as the unpainted carbon fiber hood and pop-up rear spoiler, not only look meaner and allow the fitment of fatter 21” wheels and tires at both ends, but they also add downforce and improve cooling. An adjustable coilover kit has also been fitted, allowing owners to drop the ride height by as much as 1.2 inches. And to top it off, the stock grille insert is replaced by one featuring Hamann’s stylized Pegasus emblem.
Climb inside, and you’re greeted with leather and ultra-suede upholstery joined together with red stitching. Hamann also fits red-tinted carbon fiber trim to the steering wheel spokes, center console, climate control vents, gauge surround, shift paddles and shift lever. It really pops, but we don’t really consider it to be over-the-top.
The performance, however, could probably be described as over-the-top. The 6.2L V8 is treated to a high-flow exhaust system and air filter, plus a remapped ECU. The result is 636hp and 502 lb.-ft of torque, both significant improvements over the factory specs. Routed through the stock 7-speed dual-clutch trans, that extra Kraft propels the Hawk Roadster to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds. The claimed top speed is 199 mph, presumably with the convertible top raised.
No word what the Hawk Roadster package will cost, but considering what an SLS AMG Roadster costs, money probably isn’t a concern for most buyers. Besides, how can you put a price on standing out from (and going faster than) the herd?
The Geneva Motor Show is one of the auto industry’s best-known rites of Spring. Every March, the motoring world converges on the lakeside Swiss metropolis to gawk at all the new models (vehicular and otherwise) on neutral ground. It’s absolutely one of the crown jewels of the international auto show calendar.
And because it’s such a prestigious show, the manufacturers tend to bring their best production and concept cars to the Geneva Palexpo. This means picking out the best of the best is a mighty daunting task, which is why we’ve decided to expand the field to 25. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s hop to it.
The HAMANN Tycoon Evo M debuted last year at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show as a super duper hyped-up version of the BMW X6 M. The shocker was the fact that HAMANN managed to boost the engine output to 670hp allowing the 4WD vehicle to hit 62mph from a standstill in just 4.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186 mph. The heavily tuned Sports Activity Vehicle has retained much of its original form along with some new carbon bits, a fresh paint job and some far out guts for 2011.
For this year’s Geneva Motor Show, HAMANN outfitted the X6 M with a new carbon fiber hood, roof rack, lower front spoiler, rear window spoiler, rear wing, rear diffuser and rear tail lights covers. In addition, the exterior gets shellacked in matte black paint.
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