The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend will be the last time Sir Lewis Hamilton will race for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, ending one of the most successful relationships in Formula 1 history. Before Hamilton leaves for Ferrari next season, German company Hof has decided to pay tribute to the seven-time world champion by creating a souped-up version of the Mercedes-AMG G63. Called the Sir Class, the heavily modified G-Wagen was at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi ahead of the final F1 race of this season.
The tribute G-Wagen is the first project undertaken by Hof, a company born out of Hofele. The German tuning brand, led by Ferdinand Peter, was established in 1983 and is known for making tuned versions of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The highly skilled team also includes the likes of former AMG boss Philip Schiemer. “Its creation was timed to perfection, aligning with the final season of one of the greatest drivers of all time, Sir Lewis Hamilton,” said HOF.
“As the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the end of his extraordinary journey with Mercedes, this car stands as a tribute to a career that has surpassed all expectations, cementing his place as the greatest Formula 1 driver in history.”
The Sir Class features a long list of design details inspired by Hamilton and his F1 race car. The most noticeable thing is the special paint scheme reminiscent of the Silver Arrows. The livery seamlessly transitions from sterling silver at the front to glossy black at the rear.
Furthermore, Petronas Blue accents can be found throughout, including the badging, the side view mirror caps, and bespoke 23-inch forged wheels. The tricked-out G-Wagen is fitted with a carbon fiber body kit and a hood. At the same time, the SUV sits 30 millimeters lower than the standard version to improve aerodynamics and driving stability.
The cabin is decked out in a combination of Nappa leather and Alcantara, along with exposed carbon fiber trim. The highlight inside the cabin is the F1-inspired yoke steering wheel, which looks a little out of place inside the SUV.
There are plenty of Petronas blue highlights, including an outline of the Yas Marina Circuit embroidered into the headliner. According to Hof, this design feature adds a “distinctive touch of motorsports heritage to the luxurious cabin.”
The Sir Class is being touted as the fastest G-Class of all time, with a top speed of 186mph. This is made possible thanks to the thoroughly reworked version of the G63’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, which produces 1048 hp and 959 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, it can sprint from zero to 60mph in 3.6 seconds. The engine is equipped with new aluminum pistons, stronger connecting rods, new turbos, and a high-flow fuel system, while the ECU has also been remapped.
The SUV is equipped with carbon ceramic brakes to tackle the added grunt. Only 11 examples of the Sir Class will be made, each with a starting price of $690,000, which is almost half a million dollars more than the standard G63.
