With over 20 years of motorsport experience, owner Richard Hamann (not to be confused with the Top Gear host) started out tuning BMWs under the name Hamann Motorsport. That was back in 1986, and since then the company's portfolio has expanded to include the likes of the McLaren 12C and Mercedes SLS AMG. Richard Hamann died two years ago, but his legacy lives on with a constant stream of aftermarket packages being released that range from the sublime to the ridiculous. The following five represent a cross-section of what the company can deliver.
Hamann's "Mirr6r" package for the BMW M6 was one of the more head-turning examples on display at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The M6's aggressive new facade is equally as eye-catching as the chrome finish, with the new carbon-fiber aero package adding wider wings that extend the width of the M6 by 40 mm, plus a rear spoiler, air intakes, side skirts and a built-in rear diffuser housing a pair of dual stainless-steel tailpipes. Rounding out the exterior mods is a set of 21-inch forged alloys. Alcantara has been used throughout the cabin, which also gets aluminum pedals, while illuminated chrome trim pieces are among a host of optional interior accessories.
If you can stand to look at the car for longer than two seconds, you'll notice the new Range Rover-based Mystere that Hamann also brought to the Geneva Motor Show (as a bit of a laugh) comes with a special body kit made up of custom-made front fenders, bumpers and sills that widen the car by a full 80 mm. A lowered suspension has also dropped the ride by 40 mm and it comes with a choice of 23-inch alloys, so not only does it look frightening, but the ride and handling are also bound to be far worse than a stock Range Rover. That said, buyers in the ilk of Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj will be falling all over themselves to get behind the wheel of the Mystere ASAP... fuschia chrome and all.
The tuning specialist's remit for the MP4-12C was to reduce the concave surfaces, implement essential F1 features, adapt GT3 elements both aesthetically and functionally, and create a relief with exciting light shade contrasts. The result is a complete remake of the supercar, thanks to a large front splitter, upper and side wheel-arch vents, ground-effect door sills, an extended rear diffuser with large rear wing, a triple exhaust and two different wheel sets. The interior was modified without detailing to what degree. No performance upgrades to the supercar's 3.8-liter V8 was made, with its 592 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque deemed sufficient.
Hamann's Cyrano tuning kit for the Porsche Panamera begins with recalibrating the ECU of the 4.8-liter turbocharged V8, increasing output from 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque to 580 hp and 605 lb-ft, enabling the super sedan to sprint to 62 in four seconds flat and hit a top speed of 197 mph. Handling was improved by fitting a new 30mm lowered air suspension and 22-inch Unique Forged gunmetal alloys. A custom body kit - consisting of larger air intakes, a carbon fiber hood, 60mm wider fenders, new side skirts, a rear diffuser and a GT rear wing - is complemented by a set of daytime running lights integrated into the air intakes.
Based on the Roadster variant of the SLS AMG, Hamann's Hawk package includes aero components made up of a front apron with new LED lights, enlarged air inlets, a checkered-flag carbon-fiber hood with air vents, side skirts, and a rear bumper fascia with diffuser and carbon-fiber wing. A high-performance stainless-steel exhaust with four massive end pipes, combined with a sports air filter and remapped ECU, help the 6.3-liter V8 engine to produce 628 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. In race start mode, the two-seater can now accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds on way to a top speed of 199 mph. Handling is enhanced via 21-inch Unique Forged Anodized light alloys and a 30 mm lowered suspension.
