The car tuning specialists from Germany, AC Schnitzer have customized the sleek Mini Cooper R57 Convertible and it turned out quite well. The tuning program created a complete body kit package including a new front spoiler, rear skirt, and decals to make it unique. Also adding to the exterior of the Mini Cooper R57 Convertible, are several wheel packages available to choose from to fit your look. Under the hood, the German tuners tweaked the computer to increase its horsepower from 175 to 208 hp. AC Schnitzer also tuned the suspension while adding aftermarket parts, and even adding a few accessories to the interior.
Greg Windler
Worthersee VW Golf GTI Street
A group of five Volkswagen car tuners came together to build this VW Golf GTI Street and released the news at the Austrian Worthersee GTI conference. They are all between the ages of 19-22 and this was their latest car study, naming it the Golf GTI Street. This build emphasizes the potential that the Volkswagen Golf GTI presents, and they did a number of mechanical and styling improvements. For performance, the four cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged engine was tuned yielding 301 hp from the factory 210 hp with its six speed manual. Handling improvements were done as well by tweaking the suspension that has a hydraulic height adjustment element installed.
ABT Sportsline AS5 Audi A5 Cabrio
ABT Sportsline released their AS5 Audi A5 Cabrio model recently and they gave it an elegant look with some unique features. Their general manager, Hans-Juergen Abt demanded the build to be creative and capture the true character of the car so they did just that. A new ABT front grill was installed along with a new front bumper and side skirts. A custom rear bumper was fitted to accommodate the four pipe exhaust system and to round out the exterior looks, BR alloy wheels are added which come available in either 19 or 20 inches. However, ABT didn’t stop there with the AS5 Audi A5 Cabrio, and to make it more of a sports car, performance modifications were done.
Hamann Rolls Royce Phantom
The German car tuning specialists Hamann have done it again, this time tuning the Rolls Royce Phantom and Drophead. Recently Hamann has tuned several high class models including the BMW X6, 7-series, McLaren SLR, Aston Martin Vantage, and the Bentley GT. They chose the top of line Rolls Royce Phantom this time around, and used their years of car tuning experience to modify the looks. Both the Phantom and Drophead received special treatment for the wheels and performance upgrades. From the factory the Rolls Royce comes with 21 inch rims, so Hamann upgraded them with 23 inch aluminum cast wheels.
Prindville Lamborghini Murcielago
Prindville Prestige Lamborghini Murcielago is one of the top of the line supercars and luxury limos experiencing very great demand in the preceding years that resulted in record sales to the delight of manufacturers, but has on the other hand resulted in customers owning not so exclusive models. The rest of the panels, along with the roof, have been replaced and modified. Now the car comes with a more menacing front valance and highly attractive sills, a more active valance at the rear through which protrudes a uniquely designed titanium sports exhaust system, doors without handles equipped with remote electric opening, and a modified engine compartment cover that comes with see-through cooling louvers. Carbon fiber elegantly finishes all the body panels.
Artisan Chevrolet Camaro SS
The new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS has already been tuned by the specialists at Artisan Performance, along with help from Turbochargers.com. It received several performance upgrades including dual rear-mounted GTK350 turbochargers, a full cat-back exhaust, intercooler, and ECU tuning. The result is 600 hp from the powerful Camaro SS 6.2-liter V8 and the complete turnkey package will be available next month (June ’09) for $69,000. They didn’t only focus on increasing the performance numbers, they also tweaked the fenders by flaring the front 1.5 inches and 3 inches in the rear to give it a wider look. iForged wheels measuring 21″ in the front and 22″ in the rear were fitted, and underneath a large 14″ SSBC brake kit is included.
MTM Bentley Continental GT Birkin Edition
The car tuning specialists from Motoren Technik Mayer, MTM released the Bentley Continental GT Birkin Edition upgrade that increases power for several Bentley models. The models are the Bentley Continental GT, GTC, and Flying Spur that are eligible for a result of 650 hp and 795 Nm of torque. That is a 90 hp increase from the stock numbers boosting the 0-100 km/h time to 4.9 seconds, and 0-200 km/h to 15.9 seconds with a maximum speed of 331 km/h (205 mph). The modifications required for these numbers are quite simple, an aftermarket exhaust with throttle control and minor ECU tuning is all that was needed.
Nismo Nissan GT-R
Nissan has launched their Nismo brand upgrade for the brand new Nissan GT-R which will boost the power numbers significantly. The upgrade will tune the engine and add transmission management software, but the only way to get the package is by renting it. The ECU upgrade and TCM start out at a two year price of 294,000 yen ($3,090 USD) and if you wish to continue to have it installed after the two years, there is a $330 yearly rent fee. What’s convenient about this modification is that it is a standalone program which can be installed easily on any GT-R model and also the SpecV.
AVUS Performance Audi Q7
The German car tuning specialists from AVUS Performance have tuned the Audi Q7 this time, and they added several unique features. AVUS set it up with an air suspension that can be adjusted electronically to raise or lower the SUV. This air suspension offers one of the smoothest and best handling rides around, and it can lower the vehicle up to 90 mm. This Audi Q7 comes with a 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel engine, and with some minor ECU tuning, AVUS was able increase the power to 365 hp and 880 Nm of torque. With those numbers, the Q7 can sprint from 0-60 mph in 6 seconds while reaching a top speed of 245 km/h.
F-Sport Lexus IS C
The all new Lexus IS C has been launched a few days ago, and Lexus came out with a line of accesories called F-Sport, for the IS250C and IS350C models. Lexus has big plans for this model as they expect to sell over 1,600 unites per month. Aftermarket parts that will be available are F-Sport forged 19 inch alloy wheels manufactured in a dark graphite color. The F-Sport front brake kit which includes 6-piston calipers and 355 mm drilled cast iron rotors that have a patented internal fin design mounted on anodized aluminum hubs. The rear brake kit is essentially the same except the rotors are a little smaller, measuring 345 mm in diameter.
Hamann 2009 BMW 7-Series
Hamann is at it again, this time tuning the all new 2009 BMW 7-series, models F01 and F02 from their shop in Laupheim, Germany. Hamann has been around since 1986, specializing in tuning hundreds of BMW cars over the years. They offer the highest quality products, and this package includes modifications all around. Included in the package is a stainless steel exhaust system, engine tuning, aerodynamic body parts, interior customizations, and lightweight alloy wheels ranging from 19-22 inches. The aero kit was installed perfectly by Hamann giving it an aggressive look while also improving the handling and stability by optimizing the airflow across the vehicle.
Geiger Cars Corvette Z06 Biturbo
European tuners Geiger Cars have released a striking package for the new Corvette Z06, and named this model ‘Wild Thing’. The bright green color choice for the paint is definitely wild, but it’s the power numbers that were meant to impress. Geiger Cars was able to claim an astonishing 890 horsepower after their modifications, with 940 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpms. The mods include customizing the cylinder block, head, and crankshaft which increased the displacement from 7.0-liters to 7.6-liters. They didn’t stop there however, Geiger Cars added two turbochargers to make it a biturbo (twin turbo) model. With those performance gains, the Corvette Z06 can reach an acclaimed top speed of 354 km/h!