Mercedes G-Class news - Big G - 2009

See more Hamann G-Wagen pics

We fear we may have brought this on ourselves. Last week, when we saw the poshed-up Land Rover ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ special editions, we asked whether there was anything more absurd than a luxury Defender.

Well, here it is, the Hamann G-Wagen. You’ll remember Hamann for that bizarre tuned Rolls-Royce Phantom, but this makes the Roller look veritably sensible.

Let’s leave the visuals for now and look at the numbers. They are large numbers. Hamann has taken the G55 AMG – which boasts a meagre 500bhp from its 5.5-litre supercharged V8 in standard form – and whacked power up to a supercar-bothering 600bhp and 576lb ft of torque.

Which means you’re looking at an SUV that’ll hit 60mph in 5.1 seconds and top out at 162mph. With all the aerodynamics of a Nissen hut. Why? Just… why?

Why the enormous black alloys? Why the daft new front clip? Why all the carbon fibre and red quilty stuff on the inside?

And why, most importantly, do we rather like it? Are we alone?