2006 Essen Motor Show - Events Essen

We get the feeling some of you aren't paying attention. Every year we tell you the Essen Motor Show is one event you must visit. This isn't optional; it's a requirement, part of your membership into the Euro fraternity.

Without visiting Essen, how can you know the scale and importance of this scene? Until you've attended a show with 16 halls, where American iron and Japanese tin can be counted on one hand, how can you know the position we have in the world?

Admittedly, the show's in Germany so requires a little planning. You get some leeway this year, but we won't be so lenient next.

Enjoy the photos and be sure to start planning for Nov/Dec '07. You can get plenty of information at essen-motorshow.de by clicking on the button that instantly translates it into English.

By the way, the number of pole dancers and strippers at the '06 show was down from previous years, so you've only got yourself to blame if next year they don't have any - although frankly, that's a nightmare scenario we don't want to envisage.

This year you also missed a display of all the current F1 racecars as well as all the significant winners of the 24 Heures du Mans from 1924 to today. As we said, this isn't just a car show; it's a pilgrimage.

With around 560 exhibitors, the show has everything. You'll find the biggest German tuners, such as Brabus, TechArt, Oettinger, Abt, AC Schnitzer, etc, plus hordes of booths selling accessories and hard-to-find parts.

So here it is: the Essen Motor Show. Probably the most important single event on the Euro calendar.

Greg's Diary
This year's Essen show was different from other years. There were fewer exhibitors than before and there seemed to be fewer showstoppers. Germany's been going through difficult times for several years and it's reflected in the show.

One thing that separates Essen from other events is the strippers and pole dancers. It's always had them and reflects the relaxed social attitude in Europe. However, this year they were much harder to find, revealing a different atmosphere at the show.

2006 was also the warmest year I can remember. Normally we'd encounter snow during our travels, but Europe was experiencing a mild winter through November and December.

This year I took Sam along for the ride and so he could understand the size and scale of the European tuning scene beyond what he knows of SEMA and HIN. I think it made an impression.

Highlights in the booth included a range of world record holders such as the fastest and most powerful luxury sedan, the S600, capable of 211mph. Another speed monster was the most powerful roadster, the SL600, capable of 217mph. However, the most impressive was the CLS-based Rocket. It's certified as the world's fastest street-legal sedan with a record of 227mph. The twin-turbo V12 has a special crank, larger bore, forged pistons, optimized manifolds, bigger turbos, new intercooler, exhaust and software. Amazingly, it meets European emissions. If that wasn't enough, the CLS is equipped with Brabus' aerodynamics, coilovers, big brakes, Monoblock wheels and leather/alcantara interior. www.brabus.com, www.cecwheels.com

The new TT was the star of Essen. MS Design produced a set of underbody add-ons and fitted its own wheels, calling it the TT Race. However, we were more intrigued by the presence of a Passat R GT in the booth. You may recall we exclusively unveiled this SEMA-inspired styling package (et 7/06) and revealed MS Design as the parts manufacturer for VW. Well, it appears you can buy it from MSD as the Passat V-Line...

What was nice about this car, as opposed to the VW version, is it's been properly lowered and equipped with 20" MSD wheels, giving the understated package far more presence. www.ms-design.com