Rarely has a car been more bizarrely named. The Hamann 'Las Vegas Wings' is the German Tuning House's latest evolution of the BMW 3 series.

Whilst there are lots of people who don't have a good word to say about BMW drivers, it must be acknowledged that BMW do produce (did produce) some fine looking saloons and coupes in the last few years. Purposeful, stylish cars with performance versions that oozed intent yet on the whole remained the right side of subtle.

Hamann don't subscribe to the same philosophy. They produce performance cars that look like they were breast fed by bodybuilders. Big, brash and in yer face. They couldn't have made a brasher statement than with the 'Las Vegas Wings'.

Using a reinforced bodyshell, Hamann set about working their own brand of magic on it with the distinctive gullwing doors being the most elaborate addition. The doors swing up towards the top on an outboard stainless steel hinge fixed above the outside mirrors and stay in position supported by gas dampers.

Bolted elsewhere onto the once svelte bodywork is a Hamann Competition front spoiler, Hamann masks for the standard fog-lights and Hamann headlight covers. To the side are side skirts, and to improve aerodynamics a roof spoiler and rear wing.

Multi-piece Hamann PG3 light alloy wheels compliment the package with enormous 8.5Jx19 fronts and 10Jx19 rears.

Under the bonnet - boasting that unsightly intake - is the a Hamann tuned version of BMW's V8 as fitted to the M5. That scoop does serve some purpose however, helping to feed a 'ram air' induction system. Hamann's breathing on it has resulted in a tree bending 555Nm (408 ft-lb) of torque at just 4,100rpm. 485bhp allows the 'Las Vegas Wings' to hit a claimed 195mph. 60mph is reached in 4 seconds. High performance brakes have been installed, along with a height adjustable suspension.

Inside, the cabin has been retrimmed with full leather, carbon, and aluminium.

It's a very potent package. However, some aspects of the styling are just plain unsightly and unbecoming of a car that should have muscular poise and elegance. At £168,000 Hamann have surely taken a bit of a gamble with the 'Las Vegas'.

Link:: www.hamann-motorsport.de>