When Speedhunters began again in 2008, my mission was to cowl as a lot European automobile tradition as attainable. One of many first occasions I coated 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 quite a bit 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 one of the best ways to explain it’s that it’s a mixture between a commerce present and a automobile present. There’s something for everybody, from youngtimers to the newest hypercars. You may even purchase that particular instrument to your automobile or a scale mannequin. I managed to bag two Liberty Stroll Scorching Wheels for my assortment.
However ultimately it’s all in regards to the automobiles. The TuningXperience corridor is stuffed 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 most recent components. Over the course of this put up and a second instalment, I’ll be sharing with you a few of the standouts. Let’s get began…
An Essen spotlight yearly – and one thing that appears to be getting greater 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 Automobile Design in Göttingen. A key goal for the construct was mild weight, and with the 964 tipping the scales at simply 983kg (2,167lb), I believe they greater than succeeded.
Some automobiles are constructed from unobtamium, so the following smartest thing is a reproduction. CN Racing from Germany constructed this Porsche 917 homage up from the unique drawings, however have included an entire lot of recent 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 (Massive Physique Benzes) this 12 months, and you’ll all the time rely on Levella including to the combo. Certainly one of 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 a number of consideration was this W124 E-Class, fitted with R4 Retroline wheels. Underneath the hood is a 6.0-liter V8 from an E60 AMG.
Becoming huge engines into small automobiles by no means will get previous, and right here’s the proprietor of this beautiful VW Golf explaining to some fanatics how he put the Mk1 collectively. You’ll have seen the massive V6 lump within the engine bay; this one got here from an Audi, together with your entire 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 total Liberty Stroll therapy and sits on its skirts because of Prazis air suspension with Air Elevate Efficiency 3P administration.
Of all of the VW Golfs, the Mk4 is my favourite, and this one is a magnificence. Underneath 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 as of late, 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 a number of enjoyable to drive too – 600ps (thanks partially to a Tomei 2.8L stroker equipment) 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 hold the automobile related. Prior to now we’ve see the coupé fully blacked out, however I’m glad to see they’ve returned to a extra conventional look with all of the chrome components.
Once 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 automobile in individual modified my thoughts; it seems to be manner higher when it’s sitting proper in entrance of you.
It’s arduous 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 as of late, as most have rotted away. Of all of the survivors, this Ascona B should absolutely be probably the greatest. The automobile 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 to be wild sporting a wide-body equipment 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 elevate system.
I obtained a pleasant shock after I noticed this Midnight Purple III R34 Skyline GT-R on the Chrome Vehicles stand. It’s one thing further 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 equipment and 18-inch Excalibur wheels, however when the hood is open it’s arduous 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 supplies the bottom for this ultra-clean construct. It’s powered by a 1.8-litre Oettinger engine with loads of further enhancements, Gepfeffert KW V3 suspension and real BBS E19 magnesium wheels.
We’ll end up this put up with one other Golf and one other construct from the JP Efficiency secure. JP’s Mk7 ‘Tremendous Golf’ has gone from silver with orange accents to this white and rainbow model, however beneath the pores and skin remains to be completely nuts.
Keep tuned for extra from the 2022 Essen Motor Present!
Jeroen Willemsen
Instagram: jaccojeroen