What Is HWA? The Quiet Force Behind AMG and Pagani’s Best Cars
While the name HWA might not ring a bell for most car enthusiasts, you’re almost certainly familiar with their work. The company, named after AMG co-founder Hans Werner Aufrecht, has played a major role in building some of the most extreme performance machines in the world. From Mercedes-Benz icons like the CLK GTR Strassenversion and SL 65 AMG Black Series to modern monsters like the Pagani Huayra R and Aston Martin Valkyrie, HWA has long been engineering the outrageous.
HWA AG/Instagram
Next Up: A V8-Powered Mercedes-Based Supercar
But HWA doesn’t just help out behind the scenes. They’ve started to build their creations from the ground up, too. One of their latest efforts is the HWA EVO, a modern reimagining of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 EVO II. Starting with a donor 190 E, HWA replaces much of the bodywork with carbon fiber and fits a twin-turbocharged V6 under the hood, pushing out close to 500 horsepower. Now, the company is planning its next big move.
In an interview with Carscoops, HWA’s Chief Technology Officer, Gordian von Schöning, shared a few exciting details. First, he confirmed that their next car shares the same philosophy as the EVO by being based on a well-known Merc, but ditches the V6 for a V8. More interestingly, he revealed that HWA plans to build its own “super hypercar” from scratch.
Aston Martin
HWA’s Hypercar Ambitions: From Secret Partner to Spotlight
Normally, news of a new exotic wouldn’t raise too many eyebrows, unless your name is Corvette ZR1X. But HWA isn’t just another startup with empty promises. They’ve been responsible for some of the finest engineering in the business for over 60 years. They helped develop the naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 used in the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Pagani Huayra R, and GMA T.50, and they’re involved in building the stunning De Tomaso P72. They have the resources, the know-how, and the pedigree to build something remarkable.
HWA hasn’t said much more about the car, but if you combine their current talents, the V12 engine, and the exotic nature of the De Tomaso, the HWA “super hypercar” has the potential to genuinely rival — or even outshine — the hypercars they’ve helped create.
About the author
Marnus Moolman
News Editor, Autoblog