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Houston based artist William Burge created this spooky VW for the Essen Motor Show. More closely associated with flower power, it's rare to see a '68 Beetle decorated with something as morbid as a gargoyle. [Via BBC News] More »
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The Bavarian accessorizers at Loder1899 are showing off a little at this year's Essen Motors Show, bringing both an upgraded Mondeo and Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante. The Vantage gets the company's new 20-in "hyper-alloy" wheel, lowering-kit, and a new exhaust system good for a boost to 425 hp. The Mondeo gets mostly exterior upgrades, including a less-than-flattering carbon fiber hood, though a new engine management system and sport exhaust system is good for a 50 hp bump to 270 hp. Press release and high resolution shots below: More »
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The Deutschland 4x4 tuners at delta4x4 have taken on the Jeep Grand Cherokee for the Essen Motor Show, building out the big Jeep mainstay into the Delta DUNE Project, a 499 horsepower desert racer. With a 0-60 time of less than five seconds, Delta's taken the SRT8 to a whole new level. On the exterior, the DUNE has been lifted by just under four inches, but given a wedge shape with the new front spoiler lowering the clearance by about two inches, and it's riding on custom 23 inch Elements IV wheels. And we mustn't forget the spice-colored coating, for yes, it is the Kwisatz Haderach. Full press release after the jump. More »
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Volkswagen debuted their VW Golf Variant RaVe 270 Concept at the Essen Motor Show today, which is great and all. We do love the fast grocery getters, and this one is tricked out to R32 levels with an assortment of goodies. But how do you top that model? First, you've got that great Miami Vice meets Berlin Gay Disco pantsuit. More »
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Volkswagen will add the A5-platformed Tiguan ute to the list of veedubs that get the R Line treatment at this year's Essen Motor Show. Other than this press image we don't have much in the way of details, but from other R Line vehicles we can assume that the revised body kit, wheels and interior bits can be added onto your Tiguan with whatever powerplant you (and by you we mean some European dude) choose. More »
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Most people would be more than satisfied with the fast-as-amphetamines Porsche Carrera GT, which is famous for knife-edge handling and a capacity to test even the best driver. But apparently not everyone is so easily pleased, as Gemballa has now seen fit to strap two turbochargers to the Carrera's engine to create the Mirage GT. More »
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Volkswagen Audi Group can feel a bit slighted not to be the first port of call on the Essen show, but even a four-wheel drive, 300 hp battle wagon can't make a huge impression in this company. Still, the Passat R36 is a serious piece of kit in its own right, and should be an enticing alternative for those who want the performance but not the price premium that goes with Audi S4 ownership. It's a near-perfect Q car, especially in Touring form. Only the deep airdams, dinner-plate brake discs and mildly revised aero kit give away the violence held within. There are faster cars in the world, but no faster VW, this one will hit 60mph in 5.6s and go on to the standard 155mph top end. More »
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At a show where pure lunacy struggles to get through the door, it was always going to be tough to pick out a star, but that's the job and ignoring the more obvious option here it is: The Mission 400 Plus. Now why this modified Porsche above the countless others that littered the show? Well how's about the basic figures of 1,069 hp and 921 lb-ft of torque achieved with the delicate act of strapping two dirty great turbos to the 3.8-liter 997 engine for a start? More »
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Motorsports engineering house Prodrive has turned some of its Aston Martin competitive-tuning knowledge on the general public. Developed by way of partnership with the Aston Martin Racing team, the company's tweakage boosts the V8 Vantage's power source from 380 hp to 425 hp, with torque increased from 302 lb-ft to 325 lb-ft. Other kit includes a driver-adjustable suspension comprised of Bilstein and Eibach gear — with normal and sports mode — modified exhaust (with noisy and "don't wake the baby" modes), an aero kit that reduces lift by 45 percent and forged wheels mimicking those of the Prodrive-built DBR9 racer. A fully-kitted show car is on display at the Essen show this week for tuner freaks who find themselves in North Rhine-Westphalia with nothing better to do. – Mike Spinelli More »
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Our chap about town, Nick Hall, is hanging around Germany's Essen tuner show (like the US's SEMA), attending to the ladies vehicles on display. While he's there, he'll likely come across Cobra's N+ program as applied to the Nissan Qashqai, the company's new compact SUV currently only available in Europe. The package includes cosmetics like chromed and stainless-steel body components, sport muffler, 18" wheels and interior jewelry. All that stuff gives the ropy ute a bit more heft. We'll get more from Essen tomorrow, after Hall gets off the PR ladies floor and files his first report. – Mike Spinelli More »
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