HAMANN CONVERTS THE MERCEDES-BENZ G65 AMG INTO THE "SPYRIDON"

HAMANN SPYRIDON

Its legendary cross-country mobility has been known for decades, and the AMG outperforms itself on a regular basis with its fast street version. But only HAMANN Motorsports defines the letter "G" of the G-class as "Great" acceleration.

HAMANN has presented the HAMANN SPYRIDON (Type: W 463) at the International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland with an eye catching world premiere; The heraldic animal, the HAMANN Pegasus, of the tuning specialist from Laupheim, Germany, could be illuminated with the push of a button. The winged horse, the Pegasus, has been painted in several layers on the bonnet and in the rear on the spare wheel cover, using a completely new developed illuminating paint consisting of several layers. When applying a small voltage to the paint, it glows. Thus, even in the dark, the HAMANN SPYRIDON distinctively separates itself from the production series.

However, the AMG and the HAMANN differ primarily in their power output; regardless if night or day. While the Mercedes coming off the assembly line produces a "mere" 612 HP (450 kW), due to the characteristics map of the 12-cylinder HAMANN and a completely new exhaust system, it bursts ahead with almost 100 HP more (702 HP or 517 kW). The maximum torque is increased from an even 1000 to 1110 Nm. An increase in the power of the G 63 AMG is also available. With this, the 5.5 Litre V8 bi turbo produces a remarkable 610 HP (449 kW) instead 544 HP (400 kW) and reaches a torque of 875 Nm rather than 700 Nm.

The HAMANN proudly presents its newly gained power: The G-class from Laupheim grows 80 mm in width. And especially for the G-class, tailor-made LED fluorescent strips are added to the front spoiler. Not only do they serve as daytime running lights, but due to their blink function, also act as turn signals. Thus, the blinker boxes – although they are characteristics, however, rather clumsy and not individual at all – have been removed from the wings. This contributes significantly to the new look of the SPYRIDON.

The new sporty look of the former all-terrain vehicle is based on a few things: the mirror housings – made of carbon – as well as the bonnet, which is fabricated completely of the carbon material, weighing in at only 3.5 kg. The roof spoiler and the rear apron with integrated diffuser are responsible for the improved dynamics. Not only do the new site skirts include LEDs that illuminate the floor, but also light up the completely redesigned triple tailpipes of the sports exhaust gas system. These end pipes were milled from a solid block of aluminium and anodised in a golden colour.

The 24-inch light-alloy wheels, edition Race or Unique Forged, were also shaped from solid aluminium. During the forging process, the material is compressed to a point where all air inclusions are forced out of the aluminium. This produces extremely light-weight wheels with a high degree of load capacity at the same time – ideal for the HAMANN SPYRIDON. Vredestein Ultrac SUV Sessanta tyres, size 305/35/24, are mounted on all four wheels.

The interior has been morphed into something new as well. The perfect decorative stitching on the instrument panel and the seats is the work of a master craftsman; it provides a visual focus and completes an outstanding overall impression of the leather interior. Gold-coloured leather door panels and 24 carbon trims spread around the passenger compartment accentuate the interior even more. The sports pedals are manufactured of aluminium; the door sill trims are made of brushed stainless steel and display the white illuminated HAMANN logo. The silver embroidery of the logo can also be found on the exclusive floormat set made with threaded, black pearl velours.

The old rough 'n' tumble image of this G-class has certainly been removed. But the ensuing jump into the sports car category can only accomplished by the HAMANN SPYRIDON.

[Source : HAMANN]