Volkswagen has officially launched the new R GmbH performance subsidiary.

Meant to meet the “increased global demand for individualized vehicles with contemporary sportiness and exclusivity”, the subsidiary will handle sales and development of high performance and Exclusive (aka Individual) models. In essence, R GmbH is Volkswagen’s answer to BMW’s M and Mercedes’ AMG divisions.

Described as the “specialist for sporty exclusive models from Volkswagen in the future,” R GmbH has already taken responsibility for the Scirocco R, the Golf R, the R-Line design packages, and the aforementioned Exclusive range.

Based in Warmenau, Germany (near VW’s Wolfsburg headquarters) R GmbH employs a staff of more than 350 people. In the future, the subsidiary promises to intensely the sportiness of Volkswagen R models.

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The VÄTH V58 is no ordinary sports car. It is based on the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG but with pockets more punch. Besides the engine, which we will talk about shortly, VÄTH also added its breakneck styling and aerodynamic package for visual delight.

The kit includes black carbon fibre front lips and a rear diffuser with large fins. A quartet of 19-inch wheels wearing 235/35 tyres at the front and 275/30 types at the rear can be ordered in silver, black or a different colour. A six-piston brake system with 378-millimeter brake disks is installed up front.

Power comes from the 5.5-litre V8 upgraded to a 5.8-litre displacement and strapped with a compressor. It takes maximum thrust from the factory 265 kW (355 bhp / 360 PS) and 510Nm up to a huge 416 kW (557 bhp / 565 PS) and 770Nm (568 lb-ft) of torque. The 0 – 100km/h sprint was not quoted but a top speed of 310km/h (193 mph) is envisaged.

Other technical upgrades include a performance chassis, an optional differential lock, high-grade steel catalysts, sports pistons, polished cylinder heads, a sports air filter, a long-stroke crankshaft and exhaust manifolds.

The interior package lists things like a sports steering wheel with leather, carbon or fine wood trimming, depending on the customer’s tastes.

VÄTH is charging €30,785 (US$42,037) for the engine upgrade alone. The other components can be ordered separately at various prices.

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Kicherer has unveiled the new E 50 Coupe.

Based on the Mercedes E500, the car features a revised ECU module and a sports exhaust system. It enables the 5.5-liter V8 to produce 430 PS (316 kW / 424 hp) and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque – an increase of 42 PS (31 kW / 41 hp) and 20 Nm (15 lb-ft). While Kicherer declined to release performance data, they stated the E 50 can hit a top speed in excess of 250 km/h (155 mph).

In terms of styling, the E 50 boasts a carbon fiber ‘Kicherer Performance Series’ package. It includes a front lip spoiler, aggressive side skirts, a rear diffuser, and special mirror casings (a three-blade sports grille is optional). Elsewhere, the company added 20-inch RS-1 wheels and a high performance brake system (with six piston calipers and carbon composite discs).

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Mansory’s tuning team is at it again, this time taking their brash designs to the Mercedes-Benz G-class.  The Mansory G-Couture began life as a Mercedes G 55 AMG, before receiving an impressive power upgrade.

Engineers boosted horsepower by nearly 200 PS (147 kW) to 700 PS (515 kW).  The already torque heavy engine sees figures rise to 880 Nm (590 lb-ft) from 700.  To achieve these results, the company says they replaced “the majority of the components with high-performance components from the Mercedes-Benz SLR.”

The vehicle’s new exterior is now made of carbon-fiber, including the roof, but excluding the windows (of course).  Mansory claims the material was compressed in a “special pressure chamber,” and now “no more air inclusions remain in the material. Normally, this processing method is only used in aviation and aerospace, as it is very cost-intensive.”  The big machine now rides on 23-inch one-piece rims wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion high-performance tires.

Inside, occupants ride in four individual seats with a center console running the entire length of the cockpit.  Leather and python skin make up the interior, with aluminum pedals and sports steering wheel also thrown in.

The Mansory G-Couture is now on display at the Geneva Motor Show.

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BRABUS, the German tuner proud to also be classified as an automaker in its own right, has unveiled its latest creation – the BRABUS E V12 Coupe.

Based on the latest Mercedes E-Class coupe, BRABUS calls this its Gran Turismo. It comes with a BRABUS SV12 R biturbo engine which churns out a healthy 800 PS (788 bhp/588 kW) and a peak torque figure of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft). Suffice to say, 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) comes in at under 4 seconds – 3.7 to be exact. The 200 km/h (124 mph) mark is reached in only 9.9 seconds and 300 km/h (186 mph) in 23.9 seconds. The car is electronically limited to a top speed of 350 km/h (218 mph).

BRABUS is definitely deserving of the automaker credential since it adds so much of its own technology to this E-Class Coupe. It takes the standard 5.5 liter V12 and expands it up to a 6.3 liter engine by means of a new crankshaft, larger cylinder bore and bigger pistons. BRABUS also adds a sizable contribution of its own electronic work to the engine.

The BRABUS E V12 Coupe comes with a 5-speed automatic transmission, reinforced by BRABUS, and a high-performance limited slip differential for the rear-wheel drive system. Also added are a new air intake system and a stainless-steel sport exhaust system with free-flow metal catalysts.

To help manage the extra wind from the excessive amount of power is a carbon fiber body kit that helps reduce lift on the front end with a sport fender with integrated air vents and other cooling air inlet and outlets as well as other aerodynamic paneling. Integrated LED daytime running lights are also part of the package. A coil-over suspension with adjustable ride height boosts agility. High-performance brakes and 19-inch rims also match the demands of the E V12 Coupe’s power rating.

Cost? 478,000 euros.

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When former Lorinser tuner Adolf Koch hit retirement age, he knew he still desired to be creative.  That’s why at 65-years-old, and after 47 years with Lorinser, he chose to form his own company.

His newest design is a proposal for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.  As seen in these renderings, the package begins at the front with a new grille with black honeycomb elements.  This is also reflected nicely in the new bumper at the air inlets.  The suggested new sidesills look nicer than stock, and flow better with the look up front.

The new rear bumper incorporates quad tailpies instead of dual pipes, and replaces the rear diffuser.  About the only thing not likable on the car are the wheels.

AK-Car Design offers an entire kit for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and a few parts for several Audi models.  Koch’s firm has also developed renderings for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and SL-Class.

We expect to see more work from Koch in the near future as well as a Geneva debut for the SLS.

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Carlsson will bring a limited series, 753-horsepower car to the Geneva Motor Show.  Only 25 units of the Carlsson C25 hypercar will be produced once it debuts in March.

Based on the Mercedes SL 600 the car runs on a 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 engine that gets the car from 0 to 100 km/h with up to 1150 Nm of torque.  However, once you go faster than 100 km/h, the car will make use of 1320 Nm.  Top speed is 352 km/h (218.7 mph).

Carlsson CEO Markus Schuster wanted his company to build a car that was safe enough for the road as well as the track.  “Therefore, we deliberately wanted to develop a car which is highly exclusive on the one hand and can be used for the daily journey to office on the other hand,” Schuster said.  “All security-relevant regulations such as pedestrian protection, crash behaviour, ESP, ABS, Airbag systems are identical to large series editions with most modern standards.”

Engineers installed a C-Tronic adaptive and variable suspension to make the car more responsive on curves, but comfortable on straight lines.  All four lightweight 20-inch wheels combine to weigh less than 45 kilograms, and come wrapped in high performance tires.  405 mm slotted brake discs are used up front, along with 380 mm discs in back.

Inside, the company used a combination of tanned buffalo leather, carbon fiber, and suede in a variety of colors.  Race seats, five-point belts, roll bars, and roll cage were all left off the car to keep the luxe vehicle comfortable.

Pricing on the limited edition Carlsson C25 will be announced closer to its Geneva debut.

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German tuners Brabus released their version of the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class last month at the Dubai Motor Show.  The Brabus GL 63 Biturbo has been fitted with the Mercedes eight cylinder engine from the ML 63 AMG, tuned to deliver 650 horsepower and up to 850 Nm of torque.

If that number sounds familiar for Brabus, it is because the company used the same engine and tuning package on their ML 63 Biturbo.  That SUV debuted in Geneva a year ago with a top speed of 310 km/h (192.6 mph).

The GL 63 is a bit slower, with a top speed of 300 km/h (186.4 mph), and a 0-100 km/h sprint of 4.7 seconds.  The engine is mated to a modified version of the Speedshift 7G-Tronic automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive.  It includes a customized, and more responsive twin turbo system, large water-to-air intercooler, with other upgrades to the intake and exhaust, brakes, suspension, and tires.  The vehicle now rides on forged 23-inch wheels.  21- and 22-inch wheels are also offered.

Brabus is also making the SUV available with a Widestar package, including 3-centimeter wide fender flares, rocker panels,  a new front apron, and larger air inlets.  LED daytime running lights, underfloor lighting, and four extra headlamps have also been installed.  Roof spoiler, rear apron, and rear diffuser have all been installed, as well as a quad-pipe exhaust.

Interior upgrades include Mastik leather, Alcantara, and a choice of wood or carbon-fiber trim.  A full pallette of color options is offered for each.  LCD screens are integrated into the seats for the rear passengers, who have access to a DVD player.

The Brabus GL 63 Biturbo is now available for order, starting at €368,000.

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VÄTH Automobiltechnik has unveiled their new tuning program for the Mercedes E 63 AMG.

Dubbed the VÄTH V63RS, the car features a sinister exterior with a starless grille (€797), a boot spoiler (€333), a carbon fiber diffuser (€1,773), and a carbon fiber front lip spoiler (€1,416). Other styling tweaks include a suspension lowering module, which reduces the ride height by 30 mm, (€821) and 20-inch forged three-piece alloy wheels wrapped in high performance rubber (€8,211).

Inside, the V63RS has carbon trim (€2,737) and velour floor mats with an embroidered VÄTH logo (€226).

Under the hood, VÄTH enlarged the cylinder head channels, installed new engine management software, and added new pistons, valves, sport cam shafts, a larger intake, and bigger exhaust valves (all for a whopping €19,635). Thanks to these modifications, the engine produces 605 hp and 690 Nm of torque (an increase of 87 hp and 60 Nm of torque). This allows the V63RS to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, before topping out at 340 km/h (211 mph). When it’s time to stop, massive 390mm brake discs (with 8 pistons fixed calipers up front) bring you to a halt (€5,355).

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German Mercedes tuners Lorinser have released details and a new set of images for the E-Class coupe.  The aero kit is a bit different than what the company had indicated back in April with initial design sketches.

Amongst the changes are a new grille with one slit, instead of two, and a monocolor lower front bumper.  Side sills have been changed, along with rounder side mirrors.  An unexpected spoiler now hangs over the rear window.  At the same time, a rear bumper has a section in it that is now squared, not rounded, incorporating quad tailpipes and the rear diffuser.

Also included in the package is a set of LED daytime runners, and 20-inch one-piece alloy wheels.  New suspension springs lower the car by 30-mm, but they are adjustable.  Inside, aluminum pedals and leather-lined floor mats can be found.

Lorinser is also working on re-tuning the engine, but the performance upgrade is not yet available.  However, if the 330 km/h (205 mph) speedo is any indicator, the car could be capable of great things.

The Lorinser Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe aero kit will be available soon.

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