The Hamann steering wheel is basically a new rim that works with the stock airbag. It has thumb cutouts to improve grip, but I would still like to see a thicker rim with finger cutouts behind. It is better but only addresses one of the three flaws of the stock rim. Final touches to the cabin are a Hamann aluminum gearknob and pedal set.
The silver and black car has the same wheels and suspension modifications, but the color-coded body styling features a new front spoiler, side sills and rear valance section with two cutouts for a twin-pipe exhaust on each side. A small roof spoiler is attached to the top of the tailgate. And the fuel filler cap has been replaced with a racing-style cover.
The rear silencer is quite different on this car and is positioned in the center of the rear floorpan section. Two pipes emerge from the center, one going to each side of the car, ending in cosmetic twin-pipe tips welded on a few inches behind the rear valance. You can also have one pipe per side with round valance cutouts if you prefer.
While the motor of the red car is stock, the silver car has the prototype of the Stage 1 modifications. This consists of a free-flow air cleaner, sports rear silencer and modified ECU. The claimed output is 125 bhp with better throttle response.
I liked the deeper, more throaty roar from the intake and exhaust under hard acceleration, and the fact that the exhaust is as quiet as the standard system when cruising. This is important for long-distance work and is the only criticism I leveled at the officially sanctioned John Cooper Works car, whose rorty exhaust note is a not always welcome constant.
Throttle response of the silver Hamann car was noticeably crisper, and the claimed extra 10 bhp seemed reasonable. If anything, at higher speeds this slight power increase just offsets the wider wheels and tires and is something that everyone who fits wider rubber should be aware of. A wheel and tire upgrade may give you better grip, but it can also knock 5 mph off your top speed!
Also as Richard Hamann promised, the ride quality turned out to be impressively supple despite the bigger wheels and tires and lower ride height. On his local country roads, whose bumps are admittedly a different size and frequency to UK ones, the two Hamann MINIs had a more comfortable ride than the stock Chili Pack car I drove in the UK last summer.
You will no doubt have noticed the checkered flag decals on these Hamann cars. First introduced about 4 years ago on a heavily tuned 3 Series, these extrovert decals have become immensely popular with customers, and to Hamann's surprise they are a best-selling item with his BMW customers.
This is just the first step in Hamann's MINI tuning program. The engineers are now working on their 200-bhp Cooper S conversion, and we will bring you driving impressions as soon as it is ready to roll.