HWA Is Putting the Mercedes-Benz W124 AMG Hammer Back Into Production

Affalterbach-based motorsport firm HWA is bringing the Mercedes-Benz W124-based AMG Hammer to life as its second major restomod project. Following the 190E Evo, the company will this time reinterpret the legendary sedan of the 1980s with modern technology; the first details are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

When and how was HWA's W124 AMG Hammer project announced?

The announcement came quieter than it appears. On October 23, 2026, HWA hinted at its new project with a teaser image shared on its Instagram account; the image showed the profile of a W124-bodied vehicle. The body lines closely resembled the original Hammer; the most notable difference on the prototype was the LED headlights and taillights. In other words, while the classic silhouette was preserved, the modernization of the lighting units was clearly visible.

In the company's post, the project was described as a return to another extraordinary chapter of its engineering heritage; it was stated that while remaining faithful to its origins, the possibilities of modern technology would be explored, and that a familiar idea had taken on an entirely new form. This language aligns exactly with the framework HWA used for its first project: classic form, contemporary engineering.

The tone of the announcement was measured, and like the approach in the company's previous project, it steered clear of a restomod philosophy in the classic sense. In other words, this is not a composite vehicle with modern parts grafted onto an old body; as with the previous project, it will be built as an almost entirely new vehicle from scratch. Carbon fiber body panels, a reinforced chassis, and modern suspension are therefore reasonable expectations; it is also mentioned that the dimensions could be slightly extended.

What about the engine? The powertrain remains a mystery

The biggest uncertainty that makes the project interesting is what will be under the hood. HWA is not giving any concrete information about the powertrain; it is only said that additional details will be shared in the coming weeks. Still, the math is simple: the first project, the HWA Evo, used a turbocharged V-8, and the Hammer, by its very character, is expected to want a V-8. The original car was already defined by its 5.5 and 6.0-liter V8s; putting an electronic or small-displacement unit in a vehicle whose identity leans on that engine's sound and torque wave could dilute the spirit of the endeavor.

At this point, it is not appropriate to open the door to speculation. Considering the meticulousness HWA demonstrated in its previous project, it is enough to say that the power unit will be a solution consistent with the vehicle's identity. We will have to wait a few weeks for a definitive answer.

Who owns HWA AG and what makes them authorized to do this job?

HWA AG is a motorsport firm founded in 1998 by Hans Werner Aufrecht in Affalterbach; the name also comes from the initials of its founder. Here's the crucial context: Aufrecht worked as a development engineer at Daimler-Benz and was a co-founder of AMG. In other words, the company reinterpreting the W124 Hammer is a direct continuation of the culture this car was born from. That's a legitimacy most of the classic re-creation projects we keep seeing on the market simply cannot claim.

The company's first road car was the HWA Evo, a reinterpretation of the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II. Only 100 units were produced, with a starting price of around €714,000; the first customer cars were delivered on July 20, 2026, and one car was subsequently put on special display at the Mercedes Museum. This year, the track-focused Evo R version was also introduced; HWA entered the 2026 24 Hours of Nürburgring with two Evo cars, and the Evo R took two podium finishes on its debut at the Nordschleife. In short, the company runs its projects not as showcase pieces but as genuine performance engineering. The first HWA Evo, chassis number 000, goes up for auction this month; the collection market shows just how big the interest is.

Why is the AMG Hammer a legend? The 300 km/h sedan of the 1980s

The Hammer's story goes back to a time when AMG was still operating as an independent tuning house, before its merger with Mercedes-Benz. In the mid-1980s, AMG's idea was simple: take an ordinary-looking 300E sedan and make it reach a speed of around 300 km/h. The 3.0-liter engine was pulled out and replaced with a 5.5-liter V8 adapted from the S-Class; the engine was prepared with detailing, balancing, and upgraded parts, and tested on the dyno.

It's hard to grasp today what these figures meant for their era. A sedan that completed 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds and reached a top speed of 178 mph was outrunning exotics like the Porsche 911 Turbo and Lamborghini Countach. This performance, hiding beneath a plain W124 body, also explains the nickname the car was given by the US press: the 6.0-liter version's name, in short, became Hammer.

The Hammer's legacy and market value

The Hammer is regarded as the car that made AMG globally recognized before its merger with Mercedes-Benz. The seeds of the brand's current performance identity were largely sown during this period. On the production side, the numbers are modest: AMG North America is estimated to have produced only 13 Hammers, and the 6.0 conversion reportedly cost around $125,000 at the time. Authentic examples are now collector's items; It is reported that in 2025 a Hammer found a buyer for $753,000, while a 6.0 coupé sold for $761,800.

The new project follows the HWA Evo model: what to expect?

This project comes after HWA's second restomod move, following a first experiment that proved the formula works. With the Evo, the firm had built a serious performance package around a modern chassis, suspension and power unit while preserving the classic 190E shape. The same approach is expected in the new project: familiar from the outside, but underneath a vehicle built with today's technology. There is no concrete statement on pricing, but the Evo's roughly €714,000 entry-level price is a useful reference point; this project could well be positioned above that band.

The remaining question marks are clear: production numbers, price and power unit. HWA is expected to reveal these one by one in the coming weeks. Speaking as someone who has swallowed the dust of this business, let me note: dressing the W124 body's clean lines in carbon fiber panels and LED lighting is the easy part; the real test is being able to faithfully rebuild the Hammer's raw V8 character with a modern drivetrain. The team in Affalterbach is one of the rare addresses capable of pulling it off.

Sources

• HWA Teases Mercedes-Benz AMG Hammer Redux As Restomod Company's Next Project
• A German Motorsports Specialist Has Teased Another Reimagined Mercedes-AMG Icon
• The Legendary AMG Hammer Might Be Lurking a Lombak
• HWA Delivers HWA EVO Production Vehicles
• HWA EVO: An icon. Redesigned.
• Tested: 1986 Mercedes-Benz AMG Hammer
• Why the AMG Hammer Is Mercedes' Most Brutal Sedan Ever
• HWA hints at new W124-inspired mega-project