Elsewhere in the show we also found what is claimed to be the "world's fastest police car". It was a Techart-tuned 911 Carrera S. It was developed as part of a "tune it safe" campaign, aimed at raising awareness of safe and legal tuning. Its 3.8 liter motor develops 370hp and gives it a top speed of 180mph. It also runs from 0-60 in 4.5sec. The cop car even has Techart aerodynamics and 20" rims. Whether it'll actually be patrolling the autobahns is unclear, but you wouldn't want to try and outrun it!
BMWThe BMW tuning houses were better represented than any other marque. The headliners were Hartge, which brought out their H1 5.0 1-Series powered by the E39 M5's V8 engine. Only it had been tuned to 450hp, giving it a 0-60 in 4.6sec and 180mph top speed with its six-speed gearbox, 380mm brakes and 19" rims. The car sported Hartge's body styling, plus a vented hood and a pair of tail pipes exiting from the center of the rear valance.
Alongside this little marvel was something even more incredible - the Hartge H50 V10. You can read more about it on p90, but it's basically a new 3-Series with the M5's five liter V10. Complete with the seven-speed SMG gearbox and 550hp, this was a mouth-watering prospect.
Most of AC Schnitzer's offerings were rather conservative, but it showcased the 6-Series Tension concept car that first appeared at the SEMA show in November (et 2/06). It appeared unchanged in its black/orange paint scheme.
Breyton had an almost identical display from last year, with all the cars appearing in silver. The new E90 looked good and the rotating car had different wheels on each side so you could compare the effect.
There were a number of M5s at the show, with Hartge's being the simplest and most attractive. Hamann had covered theirs in stripes and spoilers, making it look slightly ridiculous but it claimed a 100hp increase, with 603hp from the V10. Top speed rises to 203mph, and Hamann claims its body kit, lowered suspension, bigger brakes and 20" wheels all contribute to its high-speed stability.
One of the most popular mods among the small tuners was retrofitting the new E90 headlights into the E46 3-Series. It clearly requires a lot of work but the results are interesting enough.
OthersEurope is producing some very interesting cars right now. Top of the alternative pile was the Heico Sportiv Volvo S40. Dubbed the HS4 Odin, it was a stunner; finished in matte blue, with silver graphics and a subtle widebody, the car looked so good it hurt. The hood was vented to chill the 2.5 turbo motor and the interior was fully equipped for racing. See p90 for more details on this car. And check out our S40 comparison test in next month's et.
The new Seat Leon, which shares the Golf's floorpan, was popular among smaller tuners, but Seats' own booth highlighted the Leon Supercup. You may already know this is a one-make series for Leons and has been very popular among drivers and spectators. The Supercup's dramatic widebody could make it onto the street in some form, especially as similar cars will be competing in the World and British Touring Car Championships.
Award for the craziest tuner goes to Mansory GmbH. It offers a range of options for Bentley owners, and had a white/white GT with its own body styling, interior appointments and engine mods that range from 560 to 630hp using software. The company also works in the car's air suspension and equips it with big brakes nestled behind 22" rims.
While Mansory specializes in Bentley, it was also showing a black/black Aston Martin Vanquish with front and rear spoilers, skirts and stacked tail pipes. If we had that kind of money we might be more interested...
The second reason we fly out to Germany each year is for the other highlight of the Essen show - the girls. From models to pole-dancing and body painting, we can find it all in abundance, and it definitely adds to the surreal experience of what must be the world's largest Euro show.