LUMMA’s CLR X 650 is now at Essen. The BMW X6-based coupe SUV (that’s what BMW asked everyone to call it) is stepping out on huge 23-inch wheels which make it slump a bit more because of its 35mm-lowered sport suspension.

Body kit is full and wide-bodied, includes 5cm fender extensions, side skirts, front bumper spoilers and rear ones. BMW’s 4.4-litre V8 turbo’s ECU has been reprogrammed to foster more power, while a stainless steel sport exhaust system added. LUMMA’s gas pedal power module or GPM helps increase pedal power response.

CLR X 650 has an upgraded interior so the outside matches the inside as well. Leather and Alcantara feature heavily on the seats and the LUMMA logo appears in a number of surfaces, including the foot pedals.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Here comes the tuner of the future. Notwithstanding the plummeting price of oil, consumer tastes have made a paradigm shift towards economical cars mainly because of, well, global economics. And it’s probably a smart idea to try to get in ahead of the game on the emerging trend towards zero emissions cars.

Yes, BRABUS is tuning electric vehicles. But what does that entail? Swapping the standard, no-name brand batteries for Energizers?

No, but they start where electric cars do need the most tuning – the sound. BRABUS have introduced a “space sound generator” which can simulate a variety of engine sounds including that of a good ol’ fashioned combustion engine V8. There’s also a race car sound. Then things get a little too video gamey/Star Trekkie. Like the two “futuristic soundscapes” called Warp and Beam. Simply getting rid of that whiny golf-cart sound of every electric car would have been enough of a start.

There are a collection of optics such as new wheels (18″ in front, 19″ at the rear) and side entrance lights, again with the moniker “futuristic” attached. (You spot a theme here?) A rear wing and diffuser is also added by BRABUS. Interiors are re-done in lightweight leather and Alcantara.

Looks and sounds (hopefully) great. Enough “car of the future” stuff, though. We need electric cars right now. But you can spare us the Star Trek references.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

For the Porsche 911 Turbo, TechArt made special arrangements. These arrangements add up to something like this: a 3.6-litre twin-turbo engine boosted from the standard 473hp (480PS/ 353kW) to 650hp (660PS/ 485kW). That’s correct, 600 horses plus another 50 for full effect.

Torque is a truck-hauling 860Nm. Zero to 100km/h is reached in 3.4 seconds, and the big needle stops turning at 340km/h (211mph). These numbers are thanks mostly to an improved sports air filter, large carbon fiber inlet pipes, special intercoolers, a sports exhaust system, Tiptronic S gearbox and of course those shiny new turbos.

TechArt added looks to the tune of side carbon flics, headlight trims, sill panels, a rear spoiler, rear apron, aero bonnet and front bumper with carbon fiber splitter. Running gear figures read as thus: TECHART Formula III forged light metal wheels, one-piece front 8.5Jx20 with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Plus tyres in dimensions 245/30 ZR 20, back 12Jx20 with 315/25 R 20.

GTstreet R from TechArt is waiting for public viewing at the Essen Motor Show so you can get up close and personal with the beast.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Eibach chose to cross the Atlantic on a muscle-car-finding mission for their stand at Essen. They sailed back with a Challenger. Based on the Dodge Challenger R/T, a few mods have been made such as a fully adjustable suspension and 9.5 x22-inch OZ Botticelli III-wide rims with 265/30R Toyo Tires Sport tyres wrapped around.

Eibach used the 431hp/ 317kW and 569Nm 6.1-litre block whose standard straight line speed is estimated at 5.3 seconds 0 – 100km/h. Those suspension tune-ups were made to improve the muscle car’s handling so its straighline speed is matched by its cornering ability. Top velocity of 250km/h can be attained from this plant/ orange car combination.

Where ICE is concerned an Alpine multimedia system is found inside; two Moniceiver DVD monitors and a good number of speakers.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Germany’s biggest tuning event, the Essen Motor Show, will reveal two exciting Volkswagen products with a theme of contrast. First is the VW Eos “White Night” which uses the colours black and white. The exterior is finished in something called Candy White which runs on the roof, while grille, and side mirror caps are in a black colour.

Interior keeps the contrast theme going where Nappa leather is black but the ornamental edgings are white. This car is using that 3.2-litre V6 that produces 250hp (184kW).

What would a tuner gig be without Scirocco, VW’s newest poster child? Well the car is there too, featuring also a contrasting black and white theme. This one will be produced in a limited 100 units as part of the Collectors Edition series. More white dominates the Scirocco, starting with the exterior in an Oryx White colour. Xenon headlights are fitted, so is an electronic panoramic sunroof and special 19-inch alloy wheels with a polished surface. Inside it features Berry White leather and kit like radio/ navigation system.

Scirocco has the 200hp (147kW) 2.0-litre turbo engine that is the staple of the VW Group cars and features DSG for its gearbox.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

The Opel Insignia is proving itself to be an attractive package of pricing, style, and nice technology like innovative lighting systems and adaptive suspension. For any tuner looking to do extra work on the Insignia, a competent canvas is laid out in front of them.

Steinmetz is one such “artist” going for the Insignia canvas with this provisional tuning package. It consists of a ride lowering suspension system, black and white 20-inch alloy wheels, changes to the front grille and front spoiler, a rear silencer tailpipe and floor mats.

Insignia, the new European Car of the Year, is offered with a choice of four 2.0-litre engines running on diesel, power figures range from 110hp to 190hp. The four petrol engines range from 140PS/ 103kW to 260 PS/ 191kW for the 2.8-litre V6 turbo.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Heffner Performance’s collaboration work with Ford GT chief designer Camilo Pardo was always going to bear something special. Heffner owner Jason Heffner met Pardo in 2006 when the tuner modified Camilo’s GT to a Camilo reaction of “the baddest GT I’ve ever been in”.

That sparked a relationship that has culminated in what you see in front of you. The twin turbo 900hp-plus super car has shown the impressive ability to clock 0 – 200mph in just under 19 seconds, while its speed was proven to be 150mph from naught to quarter mile distance.

A number of factory-fitted parts were included as part of the designer’s request file, equipment like Brembo caliper graphics, polished exhaust tips, laser-cut door trim rings, aluminium seat grommets, wrinkle black valve covers, flat black gas cap and door latches and a heritage racing-inspired paintjob.

The car has already been sold to a buyer who was instantly taken in by it at the Ford GT National Rally III. It will be his fifth GT in the garage.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Want to thank Autoblog.nl for making our turkey day just right by posting this radical looking Scirocco by famous German tuner Rieger. Despite the wing doors, seeing the Rieger name on the new Scirocco evokes nostalgic memories of the original Rieger Scirocco GTO widebody.

Already Rieger has created a couple different front and rear bumper designs, each targeted to customers of varying tastes. Also in the package are side skirts, roof spoiler, quad pipe muffler, lowering springs and 3 styles of 19- and 20-inch wheels.

Head over to autoblog.nl source link below for the full program PDF (German language) which breaks down every component as well as pricing.

We’ll be headed to Essen to take photos, so stay tuned for more photos live from the show.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

Abt, the largest worldwide customiser of Volkswagen Group vehicles, introduce their sixth-generation re-working of the Golf, one which delivers a sporting body kit worthy of matching a host of Abt performance and further upgrades.

The new Abt Golf VI is available in a number of ‘greener’ powerplants. Hans Juergen Abt, managing director of the German firm, throws about the term ‘downsizing’ and is keen to point out that the upgrade incorporates VW’s 1.4 TSI unit, available in two stages of expansion for optimum fuel efficiency and performance.

The standard 122 hp 1.4-litre is expanded to 160 hp while customers wishing to stretch the ‘little engine’ out further have the option of a 200 hp version – producing almost as much power as the series 2.0 TFSI powerplant but consuming less fuel. But if 1400cc is a little too conservative, then Abt have it covered: the 2.0 TFSI gets upgraded from 210 hp to 240 hp, with a more frugal offering in the form of a 30 hp-hiked 2.0 TDI model with 170 hp.

But the Abt upgrades span beyond the hood. Abt will happily fit vehicles with their Abt threaded suspension or sports springs, both of which are recommended for optimum power handling. Abt braking and sports braking systems provide deceleration suited to the performance hikes.

‘An outstanding basis’ for Abt, the sixth-gen new Golf also gets the full treatment by designers for a sporting but ‘elegant’ look. The enhanced presence is achieved via new front grill, new aprons front and rear (the latter with integrated 4-pipe exhaust), rear spoiler and perhaps principally the huge 18 or 19 inch alloys, available diamond-turned or high-gloss polished.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »

ABT’s tuned Audi Q5 is scheduled to debut at the Essen Motor Show, but the company has released specifications and photos in advance. The SUV has been given an aggressive, sport-tuned treatment similar to that used on the Touareg, Tiguan and Q7, and will be available in the first quarter of 2009. ABT’s Q5 is a fully upgraded package, from power and suspension upgrades to a full body kit.

Power is increased in all three of the available engines: the 2.0 TDI jumps from 170 horsepower to 190, the 2.0 TFSI from 211 to 240, and the range-topping 3.0 TDI jumps from 240 horses to 310, with 611 Nm torque.

ABT hasn’t boosted the power without improving the underpinnings, of course. A choice of a tuned suspension with lowering springs or an ABT Level Control air-spring suspension is available. Larger, 380mm brake rotors are the focus of the enhanced braking package, which also includes a choice of ABT 20-inch rims in two styles.

With the bigger brakes visible behind those wheels, you’ll want the body tweaked to match of course. ABT’s Q5 body kit includes matching front and rear skirts with underride protection, fender extensions and a unique grille. Side skirts, quad exhaust outlets and a rear wing complete the package.

Read the rest of this entry and check out more photos »