When Speedhunters began again in 2008, my mission was to cowl as a lot European automotive tradition as potential. One of many first occasions I lined that 12 months was the Essen Motor Present, held on the Messe Essen exhibition heart within the North Rhine-Westphalia area of Germany. I’ve attended the present yearly since (besides 2020, in fact) and whereas loads has modified in virtually a decade and a half, the fervour round Essen has remained fixed.
However what’s the Essen Motor Present? I believe the easiest way to explain it’s that it’s a mixture between a commerce present and a automotive present. There’s something for everybody, from youngtimers to the newest hypercars. You’ll be able to even purchase that particular instrument in your automotive or a scale mannequin. I managed to bag two Liberty Stroll Sizzling Wheels for my assortment.
However ultimately it’s all concerning the automobiles. The TuningXperience corridor is filled with handpicked automobiles that showcase the newest traits. Most of those builds are privately owned, and constructed by the homeowners themselves. Then there are the halls devoted to tuning manufacturers, that showcase demo automobiles fitted with the latest elements. Over the course of this submit and a second instalment, I’ll be sharing with you among the standouts. Let’s get began…
An Essen spotlight yearly – and one thing that appears to be getting larger and greater – is the JP Efficiency stand. ‘JP’ stands for Jean Pierre (Kraemer), JP Efficiency’s proprietor and Germany’s greatest automotive YouTuber. One of many automobiles I used to be actually excited to see was this pink 911 nicknamed Flamingo, constructed from the bottom up by AP Automotive Design in Göttingen. A key goal for the construct was gentle weight, and with the 964 tipping the scales at simply 983kg (2,167lb), I believe they greater than succeeded.
Some automobiles are constituted of unobtamium, so the subsequent smartest thing is a reproduction. CN Racing from Germany constructed this Porsche 917 homage up from the unique drawings, however have included a complete lot of latest tech to vastly enhance it. Will probably be simpler to drive than the unique because of a 3.6-liter engine from a Porsche 993 Turbo, however is for certain to nonetheless be a handful because of its power-to-weight ratio of 600ps-to-820kg (1,807lb).
Essen had no scarcity of BBBs (Huge Physique Benzes) this 12 months, and you may all the time depend on Levella including to the combo. One among Levella’s automobiles was this 560 SEC fitted with their very own Retroline wheels, the R2 mannequin on this case.
One other Revella Mercedes-Benz receiving loads of consideration was this W124 E-Class, fitted with R4 Retroline wheels. Beneath the hood is a 6.0-liter V8 from an E60 AMG.
Becoming massive engines into small automobiles by no means will get previous, and right here’s the proprietor of this beautiful VW Golf explaining to some fans how he put the Mk1 collectively. You could have seen the large V6 lump within the engine bay; this one got here from an Audi, together with your complete drivetrain together with 6-speed DSG gearbox. The wheels began life as 15-inch BBS RAs, however have been transformed to 3-piece with 17-inch barrels.
I stored coming again to this E36 BMW time and time once more. Good paintwork and a perfectly-fitted set of BBS wheels actually set it aside.
This Ferrari Testarossa from High Secret Tuning has had the complete Liberty Stroll therapy and sits on its skirts because of Prazis air suspension with Air Raise Efficiency 3P administration.
Of all of the VW Golfs, the Mk4 is my favourite, and this one is a magnificence. Beneath the hood is a fully-built 3.2-liter R32 engine with ‘stage 3′ supercharging good for 400ps, and it sits on 2-piece BBS Le Mans wheels in an 18-inch fitment.
Given the worth of R34 Nissan Skyline GT-Rs today, it’s all the time refreshing to return throughout a modified model that sees common highway use. I’m certain this one – sitting fairly on 19-inch Work Meister S1 3P wheels – is loads of enjoyable to drive too – 600ps (thanks partly to a Tomei 2.8L stroker package) on 16psi enhance strain ensures that.
This BMW E9 has been doing the rounds for a number of years, however the guys at Qualitatief are all the time altering it as much as maintain the automotive related. Up to now we’ve see the coupé utterly blacked out, however I’m glad to see they’ve returned to a extra conventional look with all of the chrome elements.
After I first laid eyes on the brand new BMW M2, I used to be on fence with regard to its sq. design. However seeing the automotive in particular person modified my thoughts; it seems approach higher when it’s sitting proper in entrance of you.
It’s exhausting to beat a basic Euro look, and this Mk4 Golf proves it with a clear exterior, huge drop and a set of 19-inch BBS GT004 wheels. Some say it’s straightforward, however to get the excellent fitment takes dedication and loads of trial and error.
You don’t see many Opel Oscanas round today, as most have rotted away. Of all of the survivors, this Ascona B should certainly be probably the greatest. The automotive has obtained a full nut and bolt restoration with a 2.0L engine on Weber carburetors at its coronary heart, Koni shocks and Mantzel springs, and basic Schmidt wheels in 16-inch sizing.
This Typ 89 Audi Coupe seems wild sporting a wide-body package from Prior Design, of which solely 40 have been launched to the market. The Audi is powered by a 2.6L V6 engine and rides on KW V3 coilover suspension with a entrance raise system.
I received a pleasant shock after I noticed this Midnight Purple III R34 Skyline GT-R on the Chrome Vehicles stand. It’s one thing additional particular too, having been beforehand rebuilt at Nissan’s famed Omori Manufacturing facility to full Clubman Race Spec.
What’s higher than a Porsche 992 GT3? A Porsche 992 GT3 MR with all the newest Manthey Racing upgrades and 4-way adjustable KW coilovers. Completely attractive.
That is positively not your common Peugeot 206. All of it begins with a full WRC-inspired wide-body package and 18-inch Excalibur wheels, however when the hood is open it’s exhausting to look previous the 3.0L V6 engine full with Garrett GTX3582R turbo.
This Audi RS4 belongs to German YouTuber Philipp Kaess, and options full carbon fiber bodywork amongst many different upgrades.
A 1982 VW Golf GTI 16 S Oettinger gives the bottom for this ultra-clean construct. It’s powered by a 1.8-litre Oettinger engine with loads of additional enhancements, Gepfeffert KW V3 suspension and real BBS E19 magnesium wheels.
We’ll end up this submit with one other Golf and one other construct from the JP Efficiency steady. JP’s Mk7 ‘Tremendous Golf’ has gone from silver with orange accents to this white and rainbow model, however below the pores and skin continues to be completely nuts.
Keep tuned for extra from the 2022 Essen Motor Present!
Jeroen Willemsen
Instagram: jaccojeroen
