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A visit to the 2021 Essen Motor Show

I know there is the world-famous SEMA show in Las Vegas, the ultimate event for tuning and customization, but over here in Europe, we have the Essen Motor Show, an annual show (the 2020 version was canceled thanks to the global pandemic) that combines sports cars, tuning & lifestyle, motorsport and classic cars all in one event, and tens of thousands of visitors from all over Europe and even from further away make the trip to Germany in late November to enjoy this impressive, mostly indoor event.

The 2021 edition was the first one after a year of absence, and sadly some strict safety and hygiene rules still exist to date, like wearing a face mask at all times, and I think this has scared away some exhibitors this year, I was able to visit the preview day as a member of the press, and it was obvious not all halls were open this year, and the halls that were in use still had some vast spaces open … it seems the organization really had a hard time filling up the space.

But that didn’t keep me from walking around the Essen Messe for hours and admiring some really amazing cars, all sorts of cars, and that’s what I like about this event, it’s not just about tuning, or classics, or any other segment of automotive interest, it’s about all of them, please enjoy some of the impressions I managed to capture today in the extensive image gallery below:

First up a series of racecars, or race-inspired concepts:

Very menacing looking, black Ford GT racecar

A genuine Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 FL2 racecar prepared by Reiter Engineering GmbH

How about something really different:

the odd ones at the 2021 Essen Motor Show

A classic rat rod, usually there are more on show in Essen

You can’t have an Essen Motor Show without a low rider … or two

A classic Mercedes 500 SEC on an airbag suspension

And then you find a genuine tractor pulling monster at the Essen Motor Show

Tuning mayhem:

A large amount of tuning is always shown at the Essen Motor Show, from the Nissan GTR over the Supra to just about any other make out there:

This extremely wide VW Golf 2 was in fact a mid-engine conversion

This satin white Wiessmann looked really amazing

It seemed the theme for this Essen Motor Show was widebody …

The Pandem kit does look very impressive, especially with that rear wing

A nice first-gen Honda NSX, in the USA this would be an Acura NSX I guess.

Low, wide, and white … beautiful Porsche on display

If you have it, flaunt it … even if that means leaving the rear bumper in your garage

Ultra wide old school VW Golf in Candy Apple red.

Wide body BMW 3-Series looking mean in this very dark metallic green

I do like the split rear wing on this widebody beauty

How low can you go? Audi R8 V10 on ‘bags’

Nope, the Stradman didn’t have a car in Germany, but it would match his LB-Works Limited Roadster.

Clean and mean, just another Nissan GTR at Essen

If you decide on adding a wrap to your car, get it right the first time and stand out from the crowd

This white Nissan GTR almost looks like it came straight from the track

I just noticed the rear fender and couldn’t resist taking a photo of this Porsche

Prior Design widebody Lamborghini Urus in ‘Lizard Lime’

Really nice Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster in matt black

Not sure what the 384 km/h stood for, but it was a special shade of red indeed

Movie cars

Usually, one or two movie cars are on display at the show, but this year there was a bundle of them

Who doesn’t remember the Dodge Charger from the Dukes of Hazzard series?

A few cars driven by Dominic from the Fast and Furious franchise

Three more cars from the earlier Fast and Furious movies

I just loved this Mustang from Gone in 60 seconds

The red Coyote, from Hardcastle and McCormick

I guess we all know where this car was used in, right?

You can’t have a show with movie cars and don’t have this famous DeLorean on display.

The final few, the odd ones:

Absolutely stunning Koenigsegg Regara on display at the 2021 Essen Motor Show, I love that interior.

BMW M4 drift car build, note the exhaust coming out where the rear window used to be!

Who needs a windshield right? Very special looking Mercedes shown here

Classic cars? You’ve asked for it, check out this amazing looking beauty

I had an absolute blast visiting the Essen Motor Show, I did miss a few of the regulars, and for once I walked away without buying one or more scale models for my collection, it’s only a two-hour drive for me, and this show is usually worth it, this year might have suffered a bit from the global pandemic that just doesn’t seem to go away any time soon, so I was already happy they didn’t cancel the show this year, let’s hope the 2022 edition will be back in full force next year.

November 26, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Ferrari SF90 Stradale by NOVITEC

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale was actually a special model to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Scuderia Ferrari, and while the main power comes from a twin-turbo V8 engine, the SF90 also comes with three additional electric motors for a total power output of 968 hp (735 kW) with a torque figure of 800 Nm … surely impressive numbers straight from the factory in Maranello, Italy.

But we wouldn’t be writing about NOVITEC if they didn’t manage to upgrade the already potent Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the NOVITEC exhaust system with metal catalysts boosts the overall power to 1,033 hp (760 kW) with 858 Nm of torque, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 2.5 seconds after a visit at NOVITEC with a top speed in excess of 350 km/h.

To achieve this increase in power, the NOVITEC exhaust system is created with 100-cell metal catalysts and twin stainless tailpipes that come with a diameter of 112 millimeters, complete with beautiful carbon exhaust tips, this system optimizes exhaust flow and because of the fully thermally insulated pipes the temperature in the engine bay is reduced … if you prefer even more heat control you can always opt for the NOVITEC 999 gold-plating.

The NOVITEC exhaust system is available with, or without electronic sound management, you know, the active control flaps in the exhaust pipes to set the sound to ‘LOUD’ or ‘INSANELY LOUD’, if you want to get the lightest possible exhaust system for your Ferrari SF90 you should get the NOVITEC system in INCONEL, a lightweight material used on Formula One exhaust systems.

While the sound is extremely important, especially on a hybrid car, looks shouldn’t be forgotten other, and to that extend NOVITEC usually teams up with VOSSEN for their forged alloy wheels, and this black Ferrari isn’t any different, a set of high-tech forged wheels made in the USA are fitted, in this case, finished in ‘Bronzino’, but NOVITEC offers 72 different colors to their clients.

These NOVITEC NF10 wheels look like a ten-spoke design, but if you look closely it’s, in fact, a ‘double’ five-spoke design, and thanks to some amazing machining tech, VOSSEN managed to create a set of wheels that perfectly fill out the wheel arches on this Ferrari SF90 Stradale, 9.5×20 inch wheels at the front with 255/35 ZR 20 tires and bigger and wider wheels in 12×21 inch for the rear, this time with massive 325/35 R 21 tires fitted, the staggered dimensions emphasize the wedge shape of this Ferrari.

With custom wheels come the need for lowering a car in my humble opinion, and it seems NOVITEC feels the same way, they offer a set of lowering springs to bring the SF90 30mm lower to the street at the front and 25mm lower at the rear, just enough to make a visual impact, and by lowering the center of gravity, this also improves on handling.

NOVITEC also offers customization for the interior, offering the client the option to color match the leather or Alcantara upholstery to the color they selected on the wheels, but as usual, the demo car doesn’t show any custom interior treatment … I guess now it’s time to wait for NOVITEC to release an aero kit for the SF90, or perhaps even an N-LARGO limited edition.

July 19, 2021 / Comments Off

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RS6 Johann Abt Signature Edition

The Audi RS6 is already a very potent car on her own, with 590 hp in a family estate-looking car, the performance figures might make you think you’re dealing with a supercar, with all the limitations of such a car in terms of practicality … not so with the Audi RS6, there is room for more than 2 people and lots of luggage space in the rear with a large hatch for accessibility, this is a car for fast-paced families that need some room and still want to get to their destination fast.

But there are still clients out there that would like something more, even faster, more aggressive, perhaps a little less practical but with looks to make up for that … in comes German-based tuner ABT, world-famous for their Audi performance upgrades and aerodynamic kits … with the ABT RS6-R, still a wagon as it’s based on the factory original Audi RS6, but with much more aggressive styling, and more importantly, a power increase to 730 hp together with torque raised from 590 lbs-ft to 679 lbs-ft, the ABT RS6-R reaches 60 mph from a standstill in a mere 3.2 seconds.

But the ABT RS6-R was a limited production model of which only 125 were built, and it’s sold out, so it’s time for something new from ABT Sportsline GmbH: the ‘Johann Abt Signature Edition’ as an homage to the founder of the company back in 1896 and to celebrate the 125th anniversary at the same time … this time only 64 units are available, which represents the age at which Johann Abt passed away.

The current CEO, Hans-Jürgen Abt, announced this special celebration model of which they intend to build only six units each month, all hand-built by one motorsport mechanic, in a ‘one man, one vehicle’ system from start to finish, a single person will be responsible for the entire conversion of each car, which is unique and exceptional in the tuning world.

Every single unit of these 64 RS6 Johann Abt Signature Edition cars will come with a unique piece of history … a small section of the original anvil Johann Abt used for many years, this anvil is an irreplaceable piece of ABT history, but instead of hiding it inside a private museum, a piece of it will go into a time capsule inside these anniversary models.

The Johann Abt Signature Edition RS6 is all about performance, 0 to 100 km/h is reached in only 2.91 seconds, which is 0.69 seconds faster than a standard RS 6, 200 km/h takes just 9.79 seconds, and the acceleration to 300 km/h takes less than half a minute, a mere 28.35 seconds which happens to be more than 20 seconds faster compared to the production model, those are some really impressive figures … just in case you are wondering, the top speed is 330 km/h, that’s Lamborghini territory!

This performance is possible thanks to bespoke ABT turbochargers and their own AEC, the ABT Engine Control unit that takes the original power up to a massive 800 hp (589 kW) and torque goes to 980 nM with a 1,000 Nm peak as a possibility, naturally modified intercoolers and additional oil cooler are necessary to keep this kind of power cooled, which is where the new aerodynamic pack comes in to help.

ABT takes their aero package into the wind tunnel for extensive testing to make sure the add-ons actually help downforce, together with the adjustable suspension and custom 22-inch wheels, they also make the car look more pleasing to the eye as a side effect. The carbon fiber used on the exterior of the Johann Abt Signature Edition comes in ‘Signature Red’, a red metallic thread is added to the carbon fiber structure as seen on the air intakes, the front lip, the rear diffuser, the fender insert, and the rear hatch surround.

At the rear, the thundering sound is emitted from a quartet of 102mm large exhaust tips, made from stainless steel naturally, while on the interior you’ll find the finest leather with hand-sewn sport seats and contrasting, red stitching, the central armrest, and the doorsills both proudly display the ‘Since 1896’ phrase, with ABT on the headrests and the Johann Abt signature on the seatbacks, this is truly an amazing automobile.

June 12, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Manhart MH3 600

It has been 35 years ago that BMW unveiled their M3, based on the E30 series at that time, the first M3 ever is still considered one of the best cars in the world, even today, and prices for this classic from Munich have gone through the roof … today we’re at the 7th M3 series, called the G80, and while the styling, especially at the front, hasn’t been received unanimously positive, the idea behind the car is still strong.

The BMW G80 M3 has become a high-power saloon, today the M3 isn’t a two-door anymore like on the E30, but it comes with four doors (if you want a similar car in a two-door configuration you’ll have to opt for the M4 strangely enough), and just in case a factory standard G80 M3 isn’t enough for you, BMW offers her in ‘Competition’ trim, the 3.0-Liter Biturbo in-line six-cylinder comes with 510 hp and 650 Nm of torque, which isn’t too bad I guess.

But we wouldn’t be taking a look at Manhart’s latest offering if we would take a factory original power output for granted … so by adding the MHtronik powerbox to the M3 Competition engine, the Manhart engine wizards increase the power to a massive 635 hp and no less than 780 Nm of torque … the Manhart MH3 600 will reach it’s electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h in less than 17 seconds, which is four seconds quicker than the factory original M3 Competition.

But with great power must come a great soundtrack, so Manhart fits their in-house stainless steel rear silencer, which retains the valve control system … the thundering sound comes through four 100mm exhaust tips, which depending on the choice of the client, are either ceramic coated or finished in carbon fiber … if you like living in the grey area of the law, you can fit Manhart Race downpipes that delete the catalytic converters or install the Manhart OPF-Delete pipes that have their own 200-cell HJS catalytic converters … but neither are street-legal strictly speaking.

To get that lower to the track look, Manhart has two options for their MH3 600, either a set of H&R lowering springs that bring the car down by 30 mm at the front, and 10 mm at the rear, or you go all-out for a KW Suspensions adjustable coil-over setup that has been specifically tuned for Manhart only by KW, and to complete the ‘lowered’ look you just need to add these amazing looking 21-inch wheels, called the Manhart Concave One, in either gold look or satin black with a gold outer rim, 9×21 inch for the front axle, 10.5×21 inch for the rear axle with 255/30ZR21 and 295/25ZR21 tires respectively.

As an option, you can have a very impressive carbon fiber aero package on the BMW M3 Competition straight from the factory, but Manhart adds a different rear diffuser, also made from clear carbon fiber, and it works perfectly with the larger, 100 mm diameter exhaust tips from the Manhart sport muffler, more Manhart Carbon fiber can be found on the interior where you’ll notice a carbon fiber shell against the back of the seat and the headrest … just to include the motorsport feeling on the inside too.

June 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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The BMW X7 from dAHLer Competition Line

The BMW X7 isn’t a small car, it’s probably the largest BMW ever made at 5.16 meters long, 2.00 meters wide, 1.80 meters high its overall weight is at least 2.4 tons, so she’s massive, but also a true BMW when it comes to driving dynamics, and that’s exactly what Swiss-based dAHLer wanted to emphasize when they created their Competition Line package for this gargantuan SUV.

The engineers at dAHLer Competition Line started out by liberating the thundering sound of the large 4.4-Liter V8 twin-turbo engine, so a quartet of massive exhaust tips show the work put into a custom exhaust that releases the growl from the front into the world, and the X7 from dAHLer roars with a simply beguiling sound.

The base for this impressive dAHLer modified BMW comes from the X7 M50i, as there isn’t a real X7 M from Germany at this moment, dAHLer Competition line offers a pair of power upgrades that should satisfy your needs, and if the base X7 was built before July 2020 they even remove the electronic speed limiter, unfortunately, that is no longer possible on the later model.

The Stage 1 boost takes the G07 X7 M50i standard 390 kW (530 hp), 750 Nm (553 ft-lb) 4.4-Liter Biturbo V8 up to a more impressive 463 kW (630 hp) and 830 Nm (612 ft-lb). But wait, there is more, dAHLer is already working on Stage 2, and with that, they promise 475 kW (646 hp) and 850 Nm (627 ft-lb), and just in case you don’t happen to own the top of the line X7 M50i, dAHLer even offers their performance upgrades for the other gasoline-powered X7 models, and even the diesel-engined ones.

As you probably noticed from the photos, this X7 comes with a lowering module for the factory original dual-axle air suspension with an automatic leveling system that fitted on all X7 models by BMW, not only does it look amazing, it also lowers the center of gravity that’s so troublesome on all high-riding SUV models, hence it improves driving dynamics.

The wheels on this demo BMW X7 by dAHLer Competition Line are massive 23-inch CDC1 FORGED units, these are weight-optimized and reduce the unsprung and rotating mass despite being 11-inch wide, as can be expected, these wheels can be finished in any shade the client desires, dAHLer advises the fitment of 295/35R23 tires, but if you prefer a staggered look, you can also opt for 285/35R23 on the front axle and massively wide 325/30R23 on the rear axle, which is what I would go for the be honest.

The car in these photos is even more special, dAHLer calls it the ‘Edition Dark Shadow’, and they intend to build only 500 units of this special unit, this car comes with a matt finished body and a glossy black rear diffuser and M-look mirror covers, naturally, the interior hasn’t been overlooked either, and aside from custom mats and a nice pedal set, the speedometer has been extended to 330 Km/h.

May 31, 2021 / Comments Off

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The ABT SQ8

Renowned German tuner ABT has already created a special version of the Audi RSQ8 SUV, but that was their ABT RSQ8-R, but that car was created to celebrate their 125th anniversary, so only 125 units of the RSQ8-R were built, if you are looking for the next best thing, at a considerably lower cost, ABT now also offers their magic on the Audi SQ8 version.

The Audi RSQ8 comes from the factory with 600 hp and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, if you opt for the less costly AUDI SQ8 and have it modified by ABT you’ll end up with a 650 hp Sports SUV that will go up to 270 km/h … the ABT SQ8 as a complete car can be yours for €130,795 including VAT.

If you already own an Audi SQ8 and would like to get the 4-liter V8 bi-turbo petrol engine boosted from the factory original 507 hp (which isn’t bad already) to the ABT SQ8’s 650 hp thanks to the ABT Power S performance upgrade, add the stunning GR23 wheels and that impressive looking aero package … you’ll have to leave €22,900 in Kempten, Germany, and that’s without the €3,445 cost for installation and paint matching to the rest of the body.

The massive wheels are available in either satin, matt, or glossy black, all in 23-inch size, but I’m sure you will be able to convince ABT to paint these wheels in other shades too. The Aero Package is a front bumper add-on part, a rear diffuser, and a rear wing … there doesn’t seem to be a set of side skirts in this kit, however, but if you would like to get a bespoke interior inside your Sport SUV ABT SQ8, that is also an option, just get in touch with ABT and I’m sure you’ll be able to figure something out with their artisans.

May 24, 2021 / Comments Off

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BRABUS 800 based on the E-Class

The Mercedes E-class is what we might consider a mid-class sedan, a nice four-door, four or five-seater luxury car that’s not the massive size of the bigger S-Class, but still larger and more comfortable than the C-Class, it’s a car that doesn’t shout for attention and most of the time isn’t even noticed when you drive it, in Germany we see many E-Class being used as a taxi in fact … but none of those are the powerful E 63 S 4MATIC+ version, most of the taxis are diesel-powered, some are switching to hybrid and electric in the near future.

When you opt for the most powerful version of the 2021 model year Mercedes E 63 S 4MATIC+, you will end up with a 4.0-liter eight-cylinder engine that delivers 612 hp straight from the factory, which isn’t bad to haul you and your family around on the Autobahn at speed, but we wouldn’t be talking about BRABUS if this company from Bottrop, Germany didn’t tweak it a little further … well more than a little.

With over 40 years of experience in pulling more power from standard Mercedes engines, BRABUS has shoehorned their performance upgrade into the Mercedes E 63 S 4MATIC+, which doesn’t void the warranty mind you, the BRABUS 800 is fully TÜV-tested and comes with a 3-year, 100,000 km (62,000 Mile) BRABUS Tuning Warranty … which is usually not seen for this kind of tuning anywhere else, but BRABUS offers it nonetheless.

They don’t call this the BRABUS 800 without a reason, and that’s because they add 188 hp to the base from Mercedes, at 6,600 rpm you effectively have 800 hp available, and 1,000 Nm of torque at as low as 3,600 rpm, and as you can order a Mercedes E 63 S 4MATIC+ in either sedan or station wagon, this BRABUS 800 is one of the most powerful sedans/station wagons in the world today.

To achieve this massive 188 hp power increase, BRABUS developed their own high-performance turbochargers, with a bigger compressor unit, modified core assembly, and reinforced axial bearings, boost pressure sits at a maximum pressure of 1.6 bar, naturally, there is a custom engine management system called PowerXtra from BRABUS, and with this much power going on, the large engine needs more cooling, so BRABUS created bespoke, carbon-fiber air intakes to be integrated into the grille.

Being based on the E 63 S 4MATIC+, this BRABUS 800 is an all-wheel-drive car, the nine-speed automatic gearbox will hurdle this sedan to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3 seconds from standing still while if you opt for the station wagon this figure is 3.1 seconds, top speed for both body styles has been electronically limited to 300 Km/h (186 mph), which is probably more than enough … usually.

An engine like this BRABUS 800 unit needs to breathe, hence you can install an amazing stainless-steel high-performance exhaust that comes with four stainless steel/carbon tailpipes, not only for looks but also with an amazing sound thanks to integrated flaps into the exhaust system … a ‘silent’ mode when you drive up to your house and you don’t want to wake the neighbors… or a ‘Sport’ position if you just don’t care about those neighbors anymore.

You could go for the more subtle look and just have the BRABUS 800 engine tuning installed while you keep the rest of the Mercedes E 62 S 4MATIC+ factory standard … or you go all-out and fit the entire BRABUS aerodynamic package to your car, the new front spoiler does create more downforce at speed, as does the really nice looking rear spoiler on the sedan while a clear carbon fiber insert can be fitted to the rear diffuser on both the sedan and the station wagon … just so it looks the part with that BRABUS exhaust.

With engine tuning and aerodynamic from BRABUS, you’ll just have to go the extra mile and get a set of BRABUS alloy wheels, up to 21 inches in diameter is available, pictured here are the famous BRABUS Monoblock “PLATINUM EDITION” Z forged wheels, painted to match the rest of this black BRABUS 800, 9×21 wheels with 255/30 ZR 21 tires for the front, and even wider 10.5×21 rims with 295/25 ZR 21 tires for the rear, tires are either Continental, Pirelli, or YOKOHAMA as advice by BRABUS themselves.

New wheels just scream for a lowered suspension too, and because the Mercedes E 63 S 4MATIC+ comes with air suspension, BRABUS offers their Sports Unit that allows the car to be lowered by 10 or 20 mm (0.4 or 0.8 in) depending on the selection of the available Comfort, Sport or Sport+ modes.

If a client wants something really special for his, or her bespoke BRABUS 800 E-Class, they can go for a complete interior overhaul, BRABUS offers the best selection of leather, Alcantara or cloth, in whichever combination or shade the customer can think of, add custom veneers or carbon fiber inlays, again in a multitude of colors, and you can create a truly unique car for yourself, or as a gift for someone else.

May 6, 2021 / Comments Off

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TECHART GrandGT

TECHART has been known for some of the most impressive Porsche modifications we’ve ever seen, and now they’ve released their GrandGT into the wild, based on the Porsche 971 series, better known as the Panamera and Panamera Sport Turismo, the TECHART GrandGT comes with a significantly modified exterior, custom made interior, and more importantly, a massive power boost.

If your base Porsche is the Panamera GTS version, TECHART will boost power by no less than 180 hp and 150 Nm of torque, on the Porsche Panamera Turbo S the increase is still 90 hp and 130 Nm of torque. This boils down to a healthy 660 hp in the GTS edition, while the Turbo S goes up to a massive 720 hp, in the latter this offers acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds flat, reaching 200 km/h only takes 10,5 seconds while the Panamera Turbo S GrandGT runs out of breath at 315 km/h … that’s Ferrari and Lamborghini territory, in a four-door, four-seat GT car.

With that much power available, we wouldn’t be looking at a TECHART GrandGT if she didn’t come with some serious body modifications too, so for starters, you’ll get a new front bumper that completely replaces the factory unit and flows neatly into a set of wheel arch extensions and wider side skirts, we’re talking about adding 50mm (2 inches) width to the front and 80mm (3.15 inch) at the rear.

And the fun continues at the rear with a new bumper at the back too, with air vents behind the wheels, vertical fins for stability, and a quartet of titanium carbon-fiber tip exhausts, two on either side, for that thundering sound from the tuned Porsche engine at the front. And we’ve saved the best for last … how about a lightweight, carbon-fiber replacement front hood in a new design with an impressive power dome and functional air vents? You can order this front hood in either glossy or satin-finished carbon-fiber, or painted to match the rest of your TECHART GrandGT.

With a body style as aggressive as this, you need a set of matching wheels, and to make the choice even harder, TECHART has come up with three different styles, all in massive 22 inch, to cover the large disk brakes. Also, note TECHART can change the color of the massive calipers into any shade you might desire, either to match the wheels or to contrast them even more, and just in case three different wheel styles isn’t enough, you can opt to have these wheel painted to match anything you like, or go for a diamond polish rim even.

The TECHART Formula V wheel is a classic-looking, multispoke turbine-look design, a total of 20 spokes make this an unmistakable design that never gets old. If you want something more contemporary, the TECHART Formula VI might be more to your liking, thin spokes on this forged aluminum wheel make the GrandGT look very different from the factory original Porsche Panamera.

But probably the most striking design comes with the TECHART Daytona II wheel, an evolution of the classic TECHART wheel, it has been engineered in modern forging technologies. Tires come in 285/30 ZR 22 at the front and 335/25 ZR 22 at the rear, it doesn’t get much wider than these on a road-going car.

And that’s only the exterior, let’s take a look at the interior inside this imposing black TECHART GrandGT, with their in-house saddlery, TECHART can create just about any bespoke look for the luxurious interior of the Porsche Panamera by using smooth leather, perforated leather, and Alcantara in a stunning combination.

A really impressive look is achieved by the meticulous perforation executed on leather parts of the seats, doors, dashboard, and the steering wheel, by using a contrasting color underneath this perforated design you get a kind of ‘glimmer’ effect, the shade is visible through the perforation in a very special way, making it look almost magical. The pattern for this perforation can be bespoke for the client, which could make for some really amazing designs in the future.

Naturally, you can also go down the more classic route of contrasting stitching, special piping on the seats, central console, doors, and dashboard, or go for color matching trim around the personalized floor mats, both for the front, the rear, and even inside the trunk … just to make sure you know you are driving in a bespoke TECHART build, their logo gets embossed on the door panels, in the floor mats, while both front and rear seats get a TECHART logo embroidered on the headrests, preferably in a contrasting color.

A completely custom-made steering wheel is on your request list? No problem at all for TECHART, a bespoke ‘driving mode’ switch, for instance, color-matched painted sections, perforated leather with that ‘glimmer’ look combined with Alcantara, a splash of carbon-fiber, contrasting stitches … everything is possible from TECHART, and the factory original items like multifunction buttons, paddle shifters, and even the steering wheel heating are kept fully functional for your comfort.

If you really want a Porsche Panamera you don’t see on every corner of the street (in some regions), you should get in touch with TECHART and have them build a bespoke GrandGT just for you …

May 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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Taycan by TECHART

If a factory standard Porsche Taycan with options just isn’t special or impressive enough for you as a customer, fear not, get in touch with TECHART and you will end up with a completely bespoke, one-of-a-kind bespoke TECHART Taycan, and I have to admit … she looks great, both on the outside and on the inside.

To create the new aerodynamic kit for the Porsche Taycan, TECHART combined the old with the new, the styling package was designed in virtual reality, but they still made an artisan clay model, finalizing details in state-of-the-art 3D modeling before taking the design into the wind tunnel and real-life track proving ground.

TECHART calls it their ‘Premium Individualization’ program, and while they offer their new front bumper, side sills, and rear diffuser, which alter the styling of this all-electric Porsche only mildly, their press release states the customer can specify bespoke options for the new TECHART Formula VI forged aluminum wheels.

The TECHART Formula VI wheels come in 10.0 x 22-inch (front) and 11.5 x 22-inch (rear) and boast slender spokes with low weight, they are available in a two-tone grey with polished spokes, black with polished spokes, but also any custom color the customer specifies, and in case you are wondering, there is also a TECHART Formula VI Race version … with a central locking system, but that’s not available for the Porsche Taycan.

While the aero package from TECHART has a very subtle look on the Porsche Taycan, their interior modifications lift this car into a totally different segment, the factory standard cockpit looks beautiful as is, but a TECHART interior takes it into a class of its own with special leather and Alcantara, custom stitching, special piping, and the most impressive embroidery and embossing seen on a Taycan.

This truly is a Tailor-made interior, TECHART manufactory and saddlery offers the owners of the all-electric sportscar a wide-ranging and handcrafted individualization program, with high-grade leather interior or a combination of sporty Alcantara and leather, the demo car they created comes with a stunning combination of perforated leather and Alcantara combined with contrasting piping.

But there is a fascinating ‘shimmer’ effect visible on these seats, TECHART will fit a contrast color underneath the perforated honeycomb pattern that will show through in a very impressive manner, the iconic TECHART logotype is not only embroidered on the seats in matching colors but even more impressively it’s also embossed on the door trim, in the headrest, and on the floor mats … which looks magnificent.

This demo car comes with a honeycomb perforation on an all-black upholstery, but TECHART offers an endless variety of customized perforation structures of the leather which can be specified in a plethora of different colors too, while the signature feature for the TECHART interior in the Porsche Taycan is a bespoke steering wheel.

The TECHART sports steering wheel comes with a top-center ring, the driving mode switch at the lower-right, and the fitting screws in a contrasting color, and you can still custom order any combination of painted spokes, leather on the rim combined with Alcantara. But again the option of carbon fiber is also possible, as is matching pipings and stitching on the steering wheel. To make it really stand out you can even get the perforation pattern from the seats applied to the steering wheel too, all while retaining the factory standard features such as multifunction, paddle shifts, and steering wheel heating.

March 17, 2021 / Comments Off

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SWAE McLaren 720S

If you’ve never heard of SWAE, don’t feel too bad, they are a new company located in the Rocky Mountains not far from Glacier National Park that just released images of their first tuning package, and it’s for the McLaren 720S, which isn’t too bad straight from the factory, but SWAE takes it to the next level, both in looks and in performance.

First, you notice there is something different about this SWAE McLaren 720, and it’s a widebody kit you are admiring, with a new front lip and intakes on the front fenders, the rear fenders are widened too, and a massive rear wing is added too. While most parts seem to be made from carbon fiber, SWAE took the 3D printing route for the struts on the rear wing, made from titanium.

Bespoke, 10-spoke SWAE wheels complete the look of this $500,000 McLaren 720S, and the best is yet to come … engine tuning that delivers over 900 hp to the rear wheels from the twin-turbocharged 4-Liter V8, keep in mind this could mean the SWAE tuned V8 comes with over 1,000 hp at the crank.

SWAE says this McLaren 720S is just a ‘proof-of-concept’ at the moment, showcasing what they can do when combining carbon fiber and 3D-printing technology to create a bespoke car for the discerning customer, chasing dreams at all costs.

“SWAE operates in a space beyond luxury- enhancing each caliber of craftsmanship to create a sum greater than its parts,” said Rosie Wolkind, SWAE director of operations.

This new SWAE McLaren 720S Widebody was recently unveiled in Miami, but it isn’t clear if this specific car is for sale, or was built on commission for an existing customer, or if it’s just a demonstrator for SWAE … only time will tell.

March 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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The McLaren 765LT, longtail, tuned by Novitec

In 1997, the McLaren F1 GTR Longtail won the GT1 class at the world’s most famous endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the McLaren 765LT, the UK based sports car manufacturer takes the longtail principle to the road once more, and NOVITEC takes the already impressive base to the next level with an uprated engine reaching 855 hp.

The McLaren 765LT is already a very potent car when it leaves the factory doors, with a twin-turbo, 4-Liter, V8 engine, but NOVITEC offers three versions of their professional engine tuning for this car from Woking. These kits are based on the NOVITEC N-TRONIC add-on control unit, which allows ‘plug-and-play’ performance upgrades.

The top of the line upgrade is called the Performance Stage 2 kit, complete with RACE exhaust system, ceramic coated turbo inlets, and the N-TRONIC box … the result is a 90 hp boost, torque peaks at 898 Nm at 6,300 rpm with a maximum power of 629 kW or 855 p at 7,400 rpm. Going from 0 to 100 km/h only takes 2.5 seconds now, reaching 200 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, with a top speed over 330 km/h, also thanks to the low weight of only 1,350 kg.

The high-performance exhaust upgrade from NOVITEC is made from Inconel, straight from the Formula One scene, weighing even less than titanium, it comes with full thermal insulation to keep the heat down in the engine bay … NOVITEC even offers 999 gold plating, and this includes the quartet of exhaust tips at the rear. Or you can opt for carbon fiber tips, or go for a more subtle matt black finish … to make the exhaust system conversion complete a 100-cell sports metal catalyst is also on the options list.

Novitec tuning wouldn’t be complete without a set of stunning wheels, again from Vossen, these machined NOVITEC MC3 forged wheels show seven double spokes and a track-derived center lock. 20 inches and 21 inches give that staggered look, 9×20 inches with 255/30 ZR 20 for the front, massive 12×21 inches with 325/25 ZR 21 high-performance tires to keep the rear on track. As usual, a 20mm lowering set of NOVITEC sports springs are the final touch you just need to add.

But you’ll want to have your McLaren 765LT by NOVITEC to look good standing still too, and while the wheels do help in that respect, the clear carbon fiber parts from NOVITEC are the cherry on the cake here. A pair of inserts for the headlights, the N-LARGO trunk lid, and let’s not forget the impressive air scoop on the roof … all available in ‘naked carbon fiber’ as NOVITEC likes to call it. Inserts for the side sills and air intakes on either side of the hood come in the same lightweight material.

More images of this amazing looking NOVITEC McLaren 765LT LongTail

February 1, 2021 / Comments Off

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Manhart takes the BMW F95 X5 M Competition to the next level with the MHX5 800

Today the SUV market is crowded, there is a model for just any kind of customer, from practical, to fast, to spacious … you name it, there is an SUV that matches perfectly. But then there is the Super SUV segment, with the likes of the Bentley Bentayga which is fast and luxurious with 600 hp, or the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid with 680 hp. And let’s not forget my favorite SUV, the Lamborghini Urus that dumps 640 hp onto the street … but that’s nothing compared to the massive 823 hp in the Manhart MHX5 800.

Yes, you are reading that figure correctly, German-based Manhart Performance GmbH and Co. KG takes the already impressive 625 hp from the twin-turbocharged, 4.4-Liter, V8 engine in the BMW X5 M Competition well over 800 hp. Manhart changes the factory ECU with their in-house developed MHTronik version, puts in a bespoke Manhart turbo power kit, complete with a new inter-cooler and creates the MHX5 800.

Going from 625 hp to 823 hp, and boosting torque from the standard 750 Nm to a massive 1,080 Nm, should come with some impressive sounds, so Manhart installs new rear mufflers. Valve-controlled, quadruple 100mm carbon or ceramic-coated tailpipes to cater to your needs. If you really want to go to the extreme, Manhart offers ‘Race-edition’ down-pipes that remove the catalytic converters and come with OPF-Delete pipes from stainless steel … but this option might not be street-legal … just don’t tell anyone.

Because of the 30% power increase, the 8-Speed Steptronic needs a Manhart upgrade too, while the adjustable suspension gets the Manhart treatment that allows a 30mm lowering to clearly show off those new Concave One forged wheels Manhart installs. Massively wide 10.5×22 inch wheels with 29/30ZR22 tires on them, cover the standard disk brakes, Manhart can however offer more powerful brakes if the customer requests them.

The Manhart MHX5 800 not only receives engine upgrades, or wheels, the exterior is modified too. First off with the traditional Manhart gold trim, but they add carbon fiber parts into the mix too, a new engine cover with race style air vents for instance. But also a new front spoiler, side skirts and a rear diffuser are part of the deal from Manhart, while the interior gets some bespoke carbon fiber parts on the steering wheel and shift paddles.

Personally I wouldn’t fit the gold trim or striping on my car, but it is part of the Manhart look-and-feel …

January 28, 2021 / Comments Off

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