Appearing in these pages is Edo Competion’s take on the much-respected Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. Edo chose not to modify the exterior too much, preferring to stick its guns into the firepower department instead. Therefore only the wheels are changed into black 19-inch lightweight alloys with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup high-performance tyres that measure 235/35 19 at the front and 265/30 19 at the rear. The interior can however be upgraded to the customer’s wishes by inserting such items as special leather upholstery and other unique trims.

Where much of the work was done is under the bonnet. The tuner made some ECU upgrades by recalibrating the unit. Other mods include a new high-performance exhaust system, exhaust headers, high-flow catalytic converters and new air filters. The 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 is kept in the same shape and size as it was out the AMG factory.

Since then power has been boosted from the standard 336kW (457hp) and 600Nm up to a more Edo Competition-acceptable 408kW (555hp) and 680Nm of torque. As a consequence the 0 – 100km/h dash time goes down to 4.3 seconds and the top speed is ungoverned to 320km/h.

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Edo Competition has released a new performance package for the Ferrari Enzo.

Dubbed the XX, the package features a full engine makeover that includes new steel cylinders, pistons, camshafts, valve springs, and Titan connecting rods. The company also adds new oil cooling piston pipes, new exhaust manifolds, a sport air filter, an air-ram system, a high performance clutch, and a new oil pump.

Edo also equips the XX with a carbon-ceramic braking system, a carbon-fiber air intake, a new fuel cooling system, and black racing wheels with Michelin high performance tires. One of the more interesting changes is a stainless steel sport catalytic converter that features two different exhaust notes which are controlled via a dash-mounted switch.

Thanks to all these improvements, the Enzo XX produces an estimated 800 hp (588 kW) and 780 Nm of torque. Performance figures are expected to include a 0-100 km/h time of 3.2 seconds, a 0-300 km/h (0-186 mph) time of 19 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 380 km/h (236 mph).

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A remaking of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo coming out of France. Yes, it’s definitely worth a look.

The Cayenne Turbo Balrog is the work of car stylist Jeremie Paret, former editor-in-chief of the French luxury tuning magazine Modify, who last year branched out into a new business to start Balrog’s Garage.

Their first offering is this body kit for the Cayenne Turbo, where onto that canvass, for starters, is added a new grill, a set of side lights as well as ‘angel eyes’ fog lights. Balrog provides a new bumper for the Cayenne, which also improves intercooler function and helps cool down the front brakes a little more too.

The wide fenders will help fit bigger wheels to the Cayenne Turbo while the large lips and side skirts provide for some extroversion of the styling. A rear spoiler and diffuser improve aerodynamics as well as looks.

One wonders what this costs. But this is luxury tuning.

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German tuner Carlsson gives the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class a place to spend some serious tuning dough.

First off is the RS-kit, meant to provide some new duds as well as some aerodynamic flow to the GL-Class. A new radiator grill and bonnet attachments give the GL a meaner look while the electro-polished stainless steel grill inserts there, as well as on the front lip and front and side skirts, provide for some distinguishing touches. New headlamps and LED daytime running lights are also part of the package. The GL aerodynamic kit goes for 8,499 euros, not including VAT.

Carlsson does a little suspension lowering on the GL too. The Carlsson engineered C-Tronic SUSPENSION (available for 1,099 euros, exlcuding VAT) allows for a lowering of 30 millimeters while offering continuous ride-adjustment by reading road conditions.

Also improving handling are the 22-inch, single-cast, light alloy wheels called the 1/11 Evo Brilliant Edition. The set come with 295/35 R 22 performance tires from Dunlop and can be had for the formidable price of 4,189 euros (excluding VAT).

Under the hood, Carlsson works a substantial amount of power improvement into the GL-Class through the use of a sport air filter and some engine electronics trickery. The top of the line GL 500 gets a power boost from 388 hp (285 kW) to 435 hp (320 kW) while taking torque from 530 to 600 Nm. Price tag: 3,192 euros (excluding VAT).

Diesel tuning comes a little cheaper. For 1,299 euros (excluding VAT), Carlsson will take your GL 420 CDI’s 354 hp (260 kW) and dial it on up to 306 hp (225 kW). The 320 CDI also gets a booster shot to take its 224 hp (165 kW) to 269 hp (198 kW). Somehow, this costs more (1,499 euros, excluding VAT) that tuning on the larger 420 CDI. Go figure.

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How close is this to being an original Jaguar E-Type?

Very much if you ask Eagle, who claim to be more than a E-Type restorer and definitely not a maker of replicas.

But perhaps the East Sussex, U.K.-based Eagle shouldn’t be judged solely on the originality of the parts it uses. This Jaguar E-Type speedster should be held accountable on its own merits.

The waterfall console, the custom-made 3-spoke steering wheel, the specially designed 3-eared wheel spinners on the wide alloy spoked rims, amongst other details, certainly help re-create a classic Jaguar styling. Eagle has made sure that the little touches are definitely there, and everywhere, and lay claim to making a true hand-crafted E-Type.

The Eagle 4.7 liter engine also delivers a comfortable 340 lb-ft of torque (460 Nm), plenty of pulling power when considering the car comes in at less than 1100 kg on the weight scale.

Eagle has been around since 1982, long enough to establish a tradition, and certainly time enough to become a reputable automaker.

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German tuners RUF have developed their work on the 997, with this release of the RUF Rt 12 S.  An upgrade from the non-”S” model released in Essen five years ago, the new car gets 685 horsepower from a modified biturbo boxer engine.  This is a step up of about 35hp from the Rt 12.  The new version also sees a maximum torque output of 880 Nm.

Although bodywork appears to be mostly the same as the previous version, there are definitely a few differences.  For example, the sideview mirrors have now been lifted from the RUF CTR 3, and the carbon rear spoiler looks to be a bit bigger with its “tearing edge.”  Rear fenders are also a bit larger, and have new air ducts carved into them.  LED lights are inserted into the slot where the fog lamps had been.  They also use LEDs for the turn signals.  Ruf is introducing a newly designed roll cage for this car, something they are including as a standard feature on the vehicle.

The car makes use of custom 19-inch light alloys which neatly house the big ceramic disc brakes.  As an option, hydraulics can be added to adjust the ride height by as much as 50mm with the push of a button.  Inside, the driver is kept in place by either bucket seats or sport seats.  Also, the steering wheel supposedly offers the perfect amount of grip, and has been designed to provide “fatique-proof driving.”

Like its predecessor, the new model can be delivered with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.  The RUF RT 12 S is now available for order at a cost of €255,900, excluding VAT.

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REITER Engineering presents the Murciélago Strada concept. The new REITER model, which follows closely in the footsteps of its older sibling, the REITER Murciélago R-GT, will be bringing all the GT racing technology it can muster to this street-prowling variant.

A heavy application of carbon fiber is used on the street-legal Murciélago Strada, on the front splitter, rear diffuser and rear wing. REITER engineers also provide the race suspension and brake-system, as well as the light-alloy wheels. Inside comes an Alcantara leather finish for the cockpit along with REITER-designed sport seats.

Optional is a roll-cage, also tempered by an Alcantara “soft-sleeve” finish, and a carbon-covered fire extinguisher, serving as a reminder of what kind of beast lingers beneath this beautiful facade.

REITER claims just the sound of the sport exhaust system will win over your heart. Of course, there is very little reason to doubt that it won’t.

As a side note, the FIA will be introducing a new GT1 racer at the 24h of Spa, which takes place later today July 25 in Belgium, based on the Lamborghini Murciélago SV (LP670-4), the fastest Lambo around. Dubbed the REITER LP670 R-SV REITER Engineering claims it meets all standards for the FIA GT World Championship for 2010.

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German tuning firm Mcchip has unveiled two new performance options for Audi’s recently launched TT-RS.

The €899 Stage 1 package consists of a retuned ECU module which boosts the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine’s output from 340 hp and 450 Nm of torque to 380 hp and 550 Nm of torque. Although full performance data wasn’t released, Mcchip did state that the car’s top speed has been increased to 300 km/h (186 mph).

In a few weeks, the company will introduce a Stage 2 package which boasts more than 400 hp. While official performance numbers are still pending, the company strongly suggests that only experienced drivers opt for the package.

On the styling front, the Mcchip Audi TT-RS wears €6600 Cargraphic GTR 9×20 wheels wrapped in high performance 255/30 R20 Continental rubber.

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The Volkswagen Golf has always been one of the most tuned cars ever. Fans and owners are often quite keen to extract more power from their Golfs than is available to them off the factory floor. In recognising this Swiss-based Sportec has created the Sportec SC 200 which is based on the Golf 1.4 TSI.

At its peak the Golf currently makes 118kW (160hp) and 240Nm. The SC 200, through electronic manipulation, has increased these figures to 147kW (200hp) – the same as the Golf V GTI – and 300Nm respectively. All the pulling power is available between 1,800rpm and 3,000rpm. Superplus fuel which is rich in octane is now required to run this modified Golf.

From 0 – 100km/h the SC 200 will take 8.2 seconds which is 1.4 seconds quicker than the standard vehicle.

A raspier exhaust note is ensured by the Sportec sports exhaust system and the tuner recommends that buyers also opt for the sport suspension and the sports braking system.

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RENNtech has created a new “plug and play” ECU upgrade module.

Dubbed the R.A.T (RENNtech Auto Tuner), the performance module connects directly to the ECU via the OBD II port. This effectively makes installation a simple one-step process by eliminating the need to remove (or bypass) the stock ECU.

The RAT comes preprogrammed with a variety of RENNtech software which is designed for the ME2.7.1 and ME2.8.1 ECUs used on the E55 AMG and 2006 or earlier, Mercedes V12 turbos. When the RAT is first connected to the OBD II port, it decides which software should be used for that particular vehicle.

Should an owner find the RENNtech performance a tad too aggressive for daily use, they can simply hit a switch on the RAT and revert back to a stock setup. Other unique features include an ECU backup (in case of an interruption during programming) and the availability of custom tuning software for owners willing to use 100-octane fuel.

See press release below for further details.

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