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2008 HAMANN Thunder BMW 3 Series coupe Review

September 2007
Filed under: HAMANN Car News | HAMANN Headlines
The HAMANN Thunder is a modified BMW 3-Series coupe that now is equipped with a V10 engine that develops 560 PS and 574 Nm of torque. Other performance modifications of the HAMANN Thunder include sports brake system for the front and the rear.

The HAMANN Thunder has body modifications making it look like the BMW M3 and 20-inch wheels Edition "Race” with Hankook high performance tires.

At the interior the HAMANN Thunder has a sports steering wheel, SMG paddles, carbon elements and sport seats.

HAMANN Press Release:World premier: HAMANN ”Thunder”
Imposing V10 modification for BMW 3-Series coupe

- Engine exchange for M V10 with 560 PS and 574 Nm!
- Sophisticated M3 look including HAMANN components starting with 325i
- Sports brake system front and rear
- 20-inch wheels Edition “Race” with Hankook high performance tires- Interior refinement with sports steering wheel, SMG paddles, carbon décor and racing sports seats

Is the 3-Series coupe not sporty enough? Too unspectacular? Engine too weak? HAMANN, one the most experienced and competent references for the challenging BMW tuning takes a crowning moment with its BMW E92 modification program for the coupe, that changed both exterior and interior design as well as underneath the hood beyond recognition. The awe-inspiring coupe answers to the perfectly matched name “Thunder“!Most powerful through potent V10

HAMANN thought wherever a V8 engine can fit, a V10 can fit in as well and look, voilá it fits! The BMW 3-Series coupe comes with a whole array of series-produced engines. The most powerful series-made of these is the M3. When it rolls off the assembly line, it has a 4-litre engine, 420 hp and 400 Nm torque. Whoever wants to top these performance characteristics, receives from HAMANN not only the “normal“ V10 out of the BMW M-program, but an advanced performance version with560 hp /412 kW (at 7.750 U/min) as well! Featuring an impressive 574 Nm of torque at 6.100 U/min, it delivers a surge of power through a seven-speed manual SMG transmission resulting that most passengers are shocked groping for something to hang on to during acceleration. The sprint takes 4,3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Only upon reaching top speed of 335 km/h does this transmission begin to meet its limitation in compulsion to move forwards.

HAMANN sport catalysts provide one with a clear conscience. A HAMANN four-pipe sports rear muffler with four round tailpipes bears the right to the perfect name “Thunder” matching acoustically. The four stainless steel pipes, each 76 mm in diameter, make the rear end of this coupe even more attractive and create a goose-bump producing sound.

M3-look plus HAMANN components

Such a power-operated modified 3-Series coupe can linger as an understatement or embark enroute directly to HAMANNs aerodynamic department. There this muscle car receives a complete M3-look kit including a carbon car roof. A HAMANN front spoiler reduces lift even more effectively. In back the same is accomplished with a HAMANN rear diffuser.

Sports brake system – just in case

Whatever looks tremendously fast, generally is driven tremendously fast. As HAMANN takes safety close to heart, each “Thunder” receives a sports brake system front and back. It consists of two slotted and ventilated brake disks (front 405x43 mm / rear 380x28 mm), 2 HAMANN fixed brake callipers (six-piston front, four-piston rear) and special brake pads.

Wheels in 20-inch

Wheels in 20-inch size match best to modified “Thunder”. HAMANN offers this size with design “Edition Race”. The appearance of this three pieced, ultra-lightweight, forged rim in cross-spoke design with black spider is characterized by 9 main spokes, each branching outwards into two further spokes. Next to this striking, exciting design the titanium bolts are particular attention getters. Icing to the cake is the elegant looking high-gloss polished rim flange. Applied in front, this wheel comes in 8,5Jx20 with tires in 10,5Jx20-inch. Rear end of the 560 hp “Thunder” is carried across asphalt in tires 325/25 ZR20.

HAMANN equips the “Thunder” with S1 EVO high performance tires from technology partners HANKOOK.

Racing atmosphere in Cockpit

With its interior design too, HAMANN leaves no question of its bond to motor racing sports. During high speeds around the corners, the driver is comfortably supported with light-weight constructed racing sport seats. With a HAMANN sports steering wheel designed in carbon components, Formula 1 feelings come through. The complete sports racing look is finished with a total carbon interior décor design providing a race track ring atmosphere.

All listed modifications from engine changes, to aerodynamics, brakes, wheels and interior designs are undertaken by HAMANN for all gas engine 3-Series coupes starting with 325i, 330i, 335i through the M3 .

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