Needless designer rivalry
Why oh why must the elite of the tuning world put their own distinctive signature on some of the finest cars ever made? It can only result in disaster. The object of our criticism this time in the Hamann Hawk. This is the ornithological appellation for the tuned SLS AMG and one wonders if a bird of prey is meant or if this is just a nod to the gull-wing – no, hawk-wing doors. Shortly before the start of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show (3rd through 13th March) Hamann have released photos of the car which will have its première at the Swiss event. Which prompts us to offer these words of advice: Sometimes the design department of a car maker has a really good job and had something quite specific in mind when going about the task. But all in good time.
-
- The LED daytime running lights smack of do-it-yourself efforts and are to us offensive, given that the standard version looked much better.
It won’t go un-noticed
Hamann themselves call the look of the Hawk ‘striking’. This is certainly the correct adjective, however it may be interpreted. While the front skirt with its big air intakes is coherent with the styling of the SLs the LED daytime running lights smack of do-it-yourself efforts and are to us offensive, given that the standard version looked much better. The carbon fibre composite bonnet cover is, one supposes, a ‘must’ with its slits and hood and it is probably justified in order to keep the temperature in the engine compartment at a reasonable level. Widening of mudguards is a trend nobody seems able to buck and in this instance the SLS AMG is 60 millimetres broader at the front and 70 millimetres at the back. The new rear skirt has room for the four 90 millimetre end tubes of the exhaust system and the diffuser. And then there is the rear spoiler which is in our opinion a couple of sizes too big. Elegance seems not to be a Hamann speciality, which could possibly explain the air hood dummy on the roof.
-
- Hamann have modified the entire periphery of the 6.2 litre V8 power plant. A new air filter ensures that the eight cylinders will breathe better and to exhale more freely there is an exhaust system featuring titanium components.
Free breathing V8
Enough with the complaints. Let’s have a closer look at the technology upgrades. And here there is indeed progress to be noted in comparison with the original Mercedes. Regarding the engine itself Hamann have modified the entire periphery of the 6.2 litre V8 power plant. A new air filter ensures that the eight cylinders will breathe better and to exhale more freely there is an exhaust system featuring titanium components. Also Hamann have swapped out the header and the catalytic converter and re-programmed the engine management electronics. All of this results in a rise in power output from 571 to 636 horsepower and the maximum torque is increased from 650 to 680 Newton metres. But the effect in terms of performance remains only a marginal improvement. In the sprint to a hundred the Hamann Hawk is only 0.2 of a second quicker than the standard model: 3.6 seconds instead of 3.8. And the maximum speed rises only by three kilometres an hour, from 317 to 320.
-
- The power output of the tuned Mercedes SLS AMG rise from 571 to 636 horsepower and the maximum torque is increased from 650 to 680 Newton metres. 3.6 seconds instead of 3.8 is the time taken to reach a hundred and the maximum speed goes up from 317 to 320 kilometres an hour.
Good looking alloys
When selecting the wheels for the Hawk Hamann have shown some taste. The 21 inch rims go by the name of ‘Unique Forged Anodized’ and suit the Mercedes SLA AMG well. Of course these are oversized: At the front they are in 9x21 format with 245/30 tyres, at the back 12.5x21 with 345/25 tyres to get the push onto the road. The coil-over suspension with height adjustable dampers and progressive springing lowers the body up to 30 millimetres.
-
- Luxurious leather meets Alcantara with carbon trim (ventilation outlets, door sills, middle-console) and there are aluminium pedals, too, as well as a newly designed sport steering wheel.
Why? Because!
According to Hamann the interior of the vehicle has been transformed into a “VIP lounge with motor sport flair”. Luxurious leather meets Alcantara with carbon trim (ventilation outlets, door sills, middle-console) and there are aluminium pedals, too, as well as a newly designed sport steering wheel.
Now why, you ask, is there this kind of body-kit for a Mercedes SLS AMG? It is just because it is what Richard Hamann’s customers are asking for. While some may see the Hawk plummeting to earthly realms of questionable taste it could well be that the accounts of the Hamann enterprise will soar upwards to new heights.
