Brabus
The German company Brabus in Bottrop has long been “registered” in the Guinness Book of Records as the manufacturer of the world's fastest cars based on Mercedes-Benz. The company, which appeared in 1977, was named after its founders Klaus Brackmann and Bodo Buschmann. Now this largest tuning studio in the world continues to produce faster and more expensive cars. For example, such as this Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, which, after the intervention of the craftsmen from Bottrop, turned into a real “space eater”.
Let us remind you that in the factory version the roadster is equipped with a 6.2-liter 571-horsepower naturally aspirated “eight”, which, without tuning, provides it with impressive dynamic characteristics. Thus, it accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 317 km/h. Brabus engine engineers decided that this was not enough and equipped the engine with a new control program, and at the same time changed the standard exhaust system to a titanium one with exhaust pipes with a diameter of 84 mm. These changes were enough to increase power to 611 hp. It’s a pity that the studio’s representatives did not report anything about the improvement in dynamic characteristics, because the car clearly became faster after such intervention.
The tuning studio specialists also worked with the suspension, which received a Brabus Ride Control control module. With this module, the driver can reduce the ground clearance by 40 mm. And to move over an obstacle, you can raise the front of the car by 50 mm. New wheels with a diameter of 20 inches on the front axle and 21 inches on the rear axle also improve handling. The improved technology is accompanied by an aggressive aerodynamic body kit.
In addition to manufacturing “road fighters” based on large and powerful Mercedes-Benz models, Brabus also produces “civilian” products. The company earns its main capital from the sale of engine control units, aerodynamic body kit elements and wheel rims of various design options. Almost such a set was prepared for the new generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class, which recently appeared on the market. Almost, because programs to increase engine power are still under development, but even without them there is something to see.
For those wishing to enhance the appearance of their B-Class, Brabus designers offer several stylish details. Thus, the front bumper can be equipped with a “lip” that visually presses the car to the ground and reduces the lifting force on the front axle. And the rear bumper gets a diffuser-shaped trim and a “four-barrel” exhaust system with chrome-plated pipes. There seem to be few changes, but thanks to them, the car’s design acquires a sporty touch.
To improve handling, the B-Class is equipped with sports springs that reduce the ground clearance by 30 mm. These springs are compatible with standard shock absorbers. As for wheel rims, their choice is huge. Available in 17, 18 and even 19 inches, each diameter can be customized to suit your design. The largest wheels (19 inches) sport low-profile tires measuring 225/35 on the front axle and 255/30 on the rear. And if the client wants to transform the interior, he will be offered aluminum pedal covers, door sill trims with the inscription “Brabus” and many leather trim options.
Lorinser
The Lorinser company in Waiblingen, Germany has been tuning Mercedes for a long time. The first “tuned” car with a three-pointed star left the company’s gates back in 1981, and now the studio has sales representatives in 42 countries around the globe. One of latest developments company - the new generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which has had its appearance thoroughly redesigned.
Cars that have been modified in Waiblingen stand out among the products of other tuning companies due to their rather bold design solutions and special corporate style, thanks to which they are clearly identified as Lorinser. At one time, it was Lorinser that dared to introduce such a stylistic element as “gills” in the front fenders, which later became the company’s calling card. In the new M-class, however, the “gills” are barely noticeable, but the wheel arch extensions are visible from afar, and they look original due to their non-standard shape.
The front part of the crossover is somewhat reminiscent of AMG models, but looks much more aggressive thanks to large faceted air intakes. The new black false radiator grille also adds “pepper” to the appearance, from the central part of which the three-pointed star has disappeared - the studio designers decided to replace it with their own emblem. The “stern” turned out to be quite modest. The small trim under the rear bumper with trapezoidal exhaust pipes looks quite ordinary. The same cannot be said about the huge 22-inch wheels, which filled the wheel arches without any gaps thanks to the ground clearance reduced by 40 mm. As usual with Lorinser, nothing was done to the engine. Well, okay, but the manufacturer’s warranty is not canceled.
Kicherer
Atelier Kicherer, located in the German city of Stockach, began its activities in 1976 with sales BMW cars Alpina. Over the past years, ties with the Bavarian company were lost, but excellent relations were established with their competitors from the Mercedes-Benz “clan”. Some people say that Mercedes-Benz is even the unofficial owner of this studio. Whether this is true or not, we don’t know for sure, but sometimes very finely “tuned” products are produced in Stockach. For example, such as this Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG.
The standard factory C 63 has a unique power unit under the hood - a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 with 457 hp. and a torque of 600 Nm. This engine was entirely developed by the AMG department and is, in fact, a racing engine for public roads. The dynamic performance of the standard sedan speaks for itself: acceleration to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
After the intervention of motorists from Stockach, who changed the engine control program and installed more effective system release, output increased to 520 hp. and 620 Nm. Unfortunately, Kicherer representatives did not consider it necessary to report how much the dynamic characteristics have improved.
In addition to the modified engine, the sedan received new springs and adjustable shock absorbers, more powerful brakes and a limited slip differential. In short, the work feels professional. But the changes in appearance are quite modest. For tuning, the pre-restyling version of the model was chosen, which received a new radiator grille, black elements in the bumpers and sills and a diffuser at the rear with trapezoidal exhaust pipes.
Senner Tuning
The Senner Tuning company, located in the German town of Ingelheim, appeared on the market not so long ago - in 2002. The studio’s specialists began their activities with modifications to Volkswagen and Audi products, but over time they developed interesting projects for other brands. Now companies are leaving their workshops more and more often Nissan cars, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Thus, recently the masters from Ingelheim presented the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar, which received a small “doping injection”.
The mechanics of the tuning studio worked with the engine according to the classical scheme, which meant reprogramming the “brains”, installing a freer air filter and replacing the standard exhaust system with a more efficient one made of stainless steel. The result is an increase in power from 571 to 606 hp. and an increase in torque from 650 to 690 Nm. The company does not report anything about the improvement in dynamic characteristics, but it can be assumed that the car began to accelerate to 100 km/h a little faster than the nameplate 3.8 s, and its maximum speed exceeded the factory 317 km/h.
Senner also tried to improve the handling of the supercar. To do this, we replaced the standard springs and shock absorbers with KW products, making it possible to adjust the stiffness of the shock absorbers individually. We also made custom lightweight wheel disks with a diameter of 20 inches and equipped with low-profile tires measuring 255/30 at the front and 285/30 at the rear. But they didn’t do anything with the appearance. According to the owner of the studio, Benno Zenner, the design of the machine is so good that any intervention can cause harm rather than benefit. Well, it looks like he's right.
Mansory
The Mansory studio has become famous for its stunning tuning projects for exclusive British cars such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Aston Martin. However, this company is not English at all, but German. It is based in the Bavarian city of Brand. It’s just that the owner of the studio, Kourosh Mansori, is a passionate fan of British automotive luxury. But sometimes he turns his attention to german cars- for example, such as the new generation Mercedes-Benz CLS. Naturally, Mansori chose the most powerful and exclusive modification of the CLS 63 AMG.
As is often the case with Mansory, the appearance of the car is replete with numerous excesses, which are perceived by many, to put it mildly, ambiguously. Thus, the front of the 4-door coupe is made almost entirely of carbon fiber, the shine of which is visible from afar. Of course, there is new bumper with huge air intakes, a protruding “lip” and a hood with large ventilation slits. On the sides there are wheel arches widened by 50 mm at the front and 80 mm at the rear, “gills” in the front fenders and massive sills. At the “stern” there is a carbon visor-spoiler and an impressive diffuser with strangely shaped exhaust pipes. The complex of external transformations is completed by original 20-inch wheels with ultra-low-profile tires measuring 265/30 on the front axle and 305/25 on the rear.
Initially, a strong engine - a 5.5-liter biturbo, which developed 557 hp in the factory version. and 800 Nm, - received a reprogrammed control unit and a freer air filter. As a result, power increased to 640 hp and torque to 900 Nm. Unfortunately, it is not reported how much the dynamics have improved.
Vaeth
Vaeth is one of the oldest in the tuning industry. Its owner, Wolfgang Feth, began his career at Mercedes-Benz in 1961, and in 1977 he left and opened his own tuning studio in the town of Hessbach, in the Bavarian region of Lower Franconia. The company’s motto, loosely translated into Russian, is: “Give your car wings!” Of course, the car must be Mercedes-Benz. Recently, a tuning studio “attached wings” to the executive coupe CL 63 AMG with the latest 5.5-liter biturbo engine.
Let us remember that this V8 engine was prepared by the AMG department and replaced the 6.2 liter naturally aspirated unit, which developed 525 hp. and 630 Nm. The new engine is much more powerful thanks to twin turbocharging. Its performance is 544 hp. and 800 Nm. This is enough for the heavy (more than 2-ton) coupe to accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. It would seem much faster, but to some these indicators seem insufficient - for example, motorists from Vaeth. In addition, the power of a supercharged engine, unlike the old atmospheric one, is very easy to increase - with the help of ordinary chip tuning. This is exactly what they did, and at the same time replaced the exhaust system with a freer one made of stainless steel.
As a result, the power of the power unit increased to 630 hp, and the torque increased to 930 Nm, which made it possible to reduce the acceleration time to “hundreds” to 4.3 s. The maximum speed reached 300 km/h, at which the limiter also operates. And in order for the coupe to hold the road better at such speeds, they installed a lowered sports suspension and 20-inch wheels with low-profile tires.
Another work of Vaeth - a modified coupe-shaped CLS sedan 63 AMG latest generation. The studio’s masters are not looking for easy ways, preferring to squeeze additional horsepower out of the initially “charged” models with the abbreviation AMG. So, the factory version already has 525 hp under the hood. and 700 Nm, which allow it to reach 100 km/h in 4.4 s and reach 250 km/h. The maximum speed, as always, is electronically limited.
This is the same engine (5.5-liter V8 with twin turbocharging) as in the CL 63 AMG described above, only in a slightly derated version - hierarchy. But the Vaeth motorists don’t care about the factory hierarchy, so they made the CLS more powerful than the older model. In addition to the new “brains” and stainless steel exhaust system, a more powerful intercooler was installed, which made it possible to achieve 658 hp. and 960 Nm. Thanks to such transformations, the 4-door coupe now accelerates to “hundreds” in a supercar-like 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 325 km/h.
Improved power and dynamic performance required the installation of a more efficient braking system and a sports suspension with reduced ground clearance. And here external changes so few that they may not be noticed. A small spoiler in the front bumper and a diffuser at the rear with new round exhaust pipes instead of the factory rectangular ones are not noticeable at all. And only the spectacular 20-inch wheels attract the eye.
Good afternoon everyone. I decided to write a post dedicated to tuning companies around the world)
Tuning studio G-power
Founder: Johan Grommisch
Year the company was founded: 1983
City: Frankfurt
Country: Germany
Web site: www.g-power.de
The Grommishes began working with BMW in 1971, but they managed to found their own company, which has survived to this day, only in 1983. They named their tuning studio modestly but tastefully: G-power. Despite the fact that the official history of the company goes back only 26 years, the founders have more than 38 years of experience in this field of activity.
What is this tuning studio famous for? Yes, at least because its development holds a new world record for speed among mass-produced sedans. It was after G-power employees worked on the BMW M5 that the car reached an unprecedented speed for this class of car - over 367 km/h. The result is impressive.
The tuner is famous for such tricks. In order to improve a BMW car, it has absolutely everything that is needed for this, and even a little more. So, in production cars, only if the customer wishes, he can install additional equipment, replace some factory parts of both the body and the inside, after which you will see a monster in the same shell with more than 700 “horses” under the hood.
The company's employees take an individual approach to each client, allowing each car to be individualized. BMW is a car itself that is perfect in every sense of the word. It turns out that the tuners from G-power, no more, no less, cut diamonds. In addition to improving technical characteristics, it is worth noting that the studio’s specialists also work hard on the interiors of the salons. Designers bring to life any client’s whim, using only high-quality, natural materials.
Even though G-power focuses on sports cars, the tuner also cares about preserving the environment. This is how the company develops the latest equipment, which will be able to reduce harmful influence combustion processes on the environment.
Tuning studio Gemballa
Founder: Uwe Gemballa
Year the company was founded: 1981
City: Leonberg
Country: Germany
Web site: www.gemballa.com
Type of tuning: Tuning Porsche cars
Strict and discreet cars easily turn into aggressive, shocking monsters that are not difficult to describe in one word. A convertible that seems frivolous at first glance? Please. Or an aggressively sports car for everyday use, completely outside the box of presentation Porsche cars? No problem. Any shapes, any colors – any whim of the client. The only condition is quality, but the quality is of a very high level.
Throughout its work, the Gemballa tuning studio constantly improves its products, conducts the necessary examinations, quality assessments and tests. Everything is explained by one simple desire - to achieve perfection. Among other things, this brought the company international fame, and also helped to obtain the title of the first company to tune Porsche engines. To improve a Porsche car, the company says, means to turn it into a perfect unique specimen.
Avalanche, Mirage GT and GT Aero 3 are some of the most high-profile works tuning studios that were created on the basis serial models 911, Carrera GT and Cayenne. In each of them, the sporty style was especially emphasized. The tuner did not focus on one thing, he took a comprehensive approach to solving the problem: chassis, car aerodynamics, engine, exhaust and braking systems - all the main mechanisms were affected.
In Gemballa style, we develop and offer several tuning options for one model. This is done so that the client can choose how seriously he wants to modify his car: 100%, beyond recognition, or just a few touches to emphasize individuality. Despite the significant number of tuning studios specializing in fine-tuning Porsche cars, Gemballa does not get lost in this abundance, but rather maintains a leading position, favorably differing from its colleagues.
Tuning studio Alpina
Founder: Burkard Bofensiepen
Year the company was founded: 1964
City: Buchloe
Country: Germany
Web site: www.alpina-automobile.de
Type of tuning: BMW car tuning
The history of the Alpina company dates back to the 60s of the last century. It was at this time that Burkard Bofensiepen conducted his first experiments in engine development. The first success of Burkard Bofensiepen and his future company was the modernization of the engine of the BMW 1500, the power of which was increased from 80 to 92 hp. BMW specialists, after thorough research of Bofensiepen's work, recognize it as being of very high quality and maintain a factory warranty on the car. During the same period, a company specializing in fine-tuning BMW models was created, which employed 8 people.
Today Alpina is already a large enterprise, producing about 600 exclusive cars in year. The company still works exclusively with BMW car. Alpina receives at its disposal only the body and engine of the car in disassembled form. Each model is assembled by hand. As a result, we get a variant very similar to the donor. Moreover, each model is necessarily equipped with branded rims with 20 spokes, applications along the side of the body, front and rear spoilers.
Particular attention is paid to working with the motor, which is assembled by one person, whose initials adorn the plate attached to the engine. The master assembling the power unit independently decides what needs to be removed or added, after which the motor is sent to " cold run-in" Important milestones: upgrading the steering, suspension and brake systems.
Tuning studio AMG
Founder: Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher
Year the company was founded: 1967
City: Affalterbach
Country: Germany
Web site: www.mercedes-amg.com
Mercedes-AMG GmbH traces its history back to 1967. At that time, the workshop was located in an old mill, and its founders, Erhard Melcher and Hans Werner Aufrecht, could not even imagine that their company would later become one of the most famous tuners in the whole world. The company name was made up of the first letters of the founders' names, and the letter G is the first letter in the name of the city of Grossaspach, where Aufrecht was born.
For the first few years, AMG remained a nobody well-known company. That changed in '71, when AMG's Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 finished second at the Belgian Spa circuit. After this, the company began to actively develop, and by 1978 the AMG office moved to the city of Affalterbach. Ten years later, Mercedes-Benz entrusts AMG with preparing its own cars for the DTM Touring Car Championship. Since 1990, both companies began joint development of TOP models. In 1998, an agreement to sell the business was signed, resulting in the formation of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
To date, Mercedes-AMG GmbH has produced a wide variety of cars. It may seem to some that the tuner does not offer anything new, limiting the range of its work to the same type of tuning of serial Mercedes cars. This is wrong. AMG periodically offers unique models (for example, E60).
Tuning atelier Brabus
Founder: Bodo Buschmann
Year the company was founded: 1977
City: Bottrop
Country: Germany
Web site: www.brabus.com
Type of tuning: Mercedes-Benz car tuning
One of the most famous door closers for Mercedes-Benz cars, the Brabus studio, traces its history back to 1977, when Bodo Buschmann opened a salon selling Mercedes-Benz cars. Soon the enterprising Bodo realized that offering simple cars, he will not be able to stand out from hundreds of competitors. As a result, it was a pleasant decision to offer clients Additional services, on car personalization. It should be noted that the idea had an effect, and soon the sales salon turned into a tuning studio.
Today, Brabus specialists carry out a full range of work on fine-tuning any car. It all starts with sketches and sketches to change the appearance of the model to give it signature features, and one of the last stages can be considered the choice of engine tuning. The company offers both the most basic installation of a camshaft with a modified cam profile, and the assembly of a completely new power unit.
It should also be noted that Brabus managed to get onto the pages of the Guinness Book of Records several times. In 1996, the company created the Brabus E V12 sedan, which was based on the Mercedes-Benz W210. The car received a 7.3-liter engine with a power of 582 hp, which allowed it to reach a speed of 330 km/h. The car became the fastest production sedan, and was later overthrown by another Brabus brainchild - the Rocket. During the same period, the studio created the world's fastest station wagon, the Brabus T V12, equipped with the same power unit (top speed 320 km/h).
The next “feat” for which the tuner entered the pages of the Guinness Book of Records was the creation of the fastest all-wheel drive SUV Brabus M V12, which was based on Mercedes M-Class. The car was equipped with a 582-horsepower 7.3-liter engine and was capable of accelerating to 260 km/h.
But the very first work in which the tuner became a record holder was the creation of a set of mounted spoilers in 1986. The uniqueness of these spoilers is that they are capable of reducing the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the Mercedes-Benz W124 (E Class) sedan to 0.26, which is a record in our time.
Tuning studio AC Schnitzer
Founder: brothers Joseph and Herbert Schnitzer
Year the company was founded: 1987
City: Aachen
Country: Germany
Web site: www.ac-schnitzer.de
Type of tuning: Complex tuning
In 1936, Joseph Schnitzer created a repair shop in Freilassing (Bavaria). Opel cars. This date can be partly called the beginning of the formation of the AC Schnitzer company. The company grows and begins to sell Ford cars. However, in 1945, Joseph Schnitzer dies.
His business is continued by his sons, who, in addition to selling cars, are actively involved in motorsports. Joseph Schnitzer refines cars for racing and wins many high-profile victories. However, he later decides to help his brother and also focuses on running his business.
In 1967, the brothers created the Team Schitzer division, responsible for fine-tuning sports cars and participating in competitions. What follows is a whole series of victories won on cars modified by Team Schitzer specialists. During this period, Joseph Schnitzer showed himself as a talented engineer, offering a number of new solutions in the field of pumping sports cars. However, in 1978, his life was tragically cut short in a car accident. The development of the company falls entirely on the shoulders of Herbert Schnitzer.
The year 1987 becomes significant for the company, as it merges with another company - Kohl Automobile GmbH. As a result, AC Schnitzer automobile technik GmbH is formed. The company's headquarters are located in Aachen. From this moment on, Schnitzer's team, together with AC Schnitzer, concentrates all its efforts on tuning, and marketing and sales issues fall on the shoulders of Kohl.
The result is obvious. The team again wins many high-profile victories at races at various levels. Since the 90s, “Team Schnitzer” has begun to cooperate with the Bavarian concern regarding participation in various competitions. The team wins many victories around the world. Since this period, Schnitzer has continued its close cooperation with BMW.
The company's tuning division is becoming an undisputed authority in matters of vehicle tuning, thanks to numerous victories in races at various levels. Currently, AC Schnitzer offers the most diverse tuning packages for BMW cars, Land Rover and MINI. The merits of the company's specialists include the creation of the fastest BMW on the planet (552-horsepower M6 model). However, the tuner is known not only for painstaking work on the engine, but also for excellent chassis tuning, which greatly affects the sporty character of AC Schnitzer cars.
Tuning studio Mugen
Founder: Hirotoshi Honda
Year the company was founded: 1973
Country: Japan
Web site: www.mugen-power.com
Type of tuning: Tuning Honda cars
Mugen Motorsports has gone from his father's garage to the world's most famous tuning studio. Mugen Motorsports has been on the market for almost forty years. The first model that the head of the company, Hirotoshi Honda, worked on while still a student was the Honda Civic 1200cc. Since then, the company has not changed traditions; it has been tuning Honda cars, although it has nothing to do with Honda itself.
Mugen Motorsports is actively involved in developing cars for such races as Japan Le Mans Challenge, Formula 3, Super GT, Integra One-Make Race, Super Taikyuyu Overseas Race, Formula Nippon and Circuit Challenge. The company is famous for its excellent engines.
The release of the aerodynamic package for the Honda Ballade CR-X and the appearance of the Mugen NSX prototype can be considered the beginning of the heyday of the company. True, after long trials for tax evasion and a big scandal in this regard, in 2004 Mugen Motorsports had to carry out a radical reorganization. So trademark The company was transferred to the new concern M-TEC Co. Ltd. However, this did not affect the quality of tuning produced by the company. He's still great. After all, the equipment and specialists did not leave their jobs. Only the sign has changed.
M-TEC Co. Ltd has not left aside the Mugen tradition and continues to work on racing cars. Recently, her attention has been drawn to road cars Honda. M-TEC Co. Ltd produces a lot of tuning components for them.
The crowning achievement of the company’s masters can be called the MF308 engine they created, which is used on lease by 14 teams in the F3000 racing series. Cars with this engine almost always win competitions. For international F1 competitions, a 3.5-liter V8 engine was created - the MF350, developing a power of 480 horsepower. Later, Mugen V10 was developed for F1, which was tested on different cars. They all showed excellent results on the track.
Tuning studio Lumma Design
Year of company foundation: 2004
City: Winterlingen
Country: Germany
Web site: www.lumma-design.com
Type of tuning: Aerodynamic kits
It all started in 1987, when the Lumma company was founded in Germany. Today, it has been producing aerodynamic kits for more than 20 years. But the company's heyday came in the millennium. It was then that the company established itself internationally and was ranked among the leading tuning agencies in the world. She presented her point of view on cars such as Opel Astra F and G, Opel Tigra, Ford Puma and Focus, as well as BMW E36.
Despite the fact that Lumma works with many brands of cars, preference is still given to BMW. It was for cars of this brand that Lumma introduced a fresh look at design. In 2004, a new direction was opened in the Lumma company - Lumma Design. Over the course of several years, the unit managed to assemble a collection of sets of bright aerodynamic elements for many BMW models.
Typically, the company's designers create not one, but several design options for popular BMW models, giving the client the opportunity to choose between a more laconic and discreet option and, on the contrary, a more catchy and aggressive front bumper design. In addition, the client is always given the opportunity to choose the accessories he likes: a rear door spoiler, a lightweight carbon hood, new exterior mirror housings, taillight covers and exhaust pipes.
Lumma usually doesn't drag its feet when it comes to creating fresh designs. No sooner has a brand new BMW rolled off the assembly line than the studio's designers are already working tirelessly to provide the author's version of the car as quickly as possible.
So in 2009, an economically difficult year for most companies that refused to participate in major car shows, the tuning studio Lumma Design not only performed at the largest auto show, traditionally held in Geneva, but also exhibited its new product - an inimitable carbon body kit for the BMW X6 .
Tuning studio Loder1899
Founder: Joseph Loder
Year the company was founded: 1899
City: Unterbach
Country: Germany
Website: www.loder1899.de
Type of tuning: Tuning Range Rover, Ford, Jaguar, Aston Martin cars
The grille and clear glass headlights emphasize the dynamics of the car, and body kits from Loder1899 (front and side spoilers) complement the car with muscular shapes. These are the words of experts about one of the latest works of the tuning studio. But once it all started with the banal.
Joseph Loder Sr., the great-grandfather of today's commercial director of Loder1899, at one time repaired and developed engines, tractors and agricultural machinery. His hobby, which it was at first, turned into a profession. And in 1899 Loder founded the company, calling it own name. The company was located in Germany, not far from Munich.
Taking advantage of the fact that cars were becoming not only a labor force, but also increasingly used in everyday life, in 1927, Josef Loder's company opened one of the first gas stations in Bavaria. It still exists today. The slightly modernized gas station is one of the oldest in Germany.
In 1962, Loder’s son joined the family business, using his father’s workshop to “restyling” the car. Ford company. One of the first full-fledged works was carried out in 1980, when the Loder1899 studio released delta4x4 components.
From 2003 to 2007, the family business expanded its product range and range of services. The company currently provides maintenance services for Land Rover and also modernizes Ford vehicles. Since 2003, the tuning studio has been offering, in addition to its own tuning programs, its own developments, and is currently collaborating with such luxury brands as Aston Martin, Jaguar, Ford and Range Rover.
Tuning studio Nismo
Founder of the concern: Nissan
Year the company was founded: 1984
City: Tokyo
Country: Japan
Web site: www.nismo.co.jp
Type of tuning: Nissan car tuning
Nismo or Nissan Motorsport International Limited is a subsidiary of worldwide famous concern Nissan. It was created on the basis of racing bases. The company's activities include the production of units and components intended for tuning, as well as modernization racing cars. The company's biggest success came from tuning developments over Nissan coupe Skyline and Nissan Silvia.
Nismo's latest colorful project is the charged Nissan Nismo 350Z, made in the spirit of Japanese Gran Tourismo traditions. The car resembles a red devil when it rushes along the highways. Spoilers on the trunk, bumpers, dark side sills and diffusers make up a very beautiful body kit. The rear wheels are 19-inch, the front wheels are 18-inch. They are ultra-light and have a dark graphite color. In addition, the Nissan Nismo 350Z has significantly improved handling, an independent multi-link suspension, and a V6 engine with 306 hp.
For the American market, the car will be equipped with a 6-speed gearbox, traction control, and electric power steering. During the development of this car, all the preferences of American drivers were taken into account. The car has sports control pedals, electric drives for various components, and a cruise control system. According to analysts, the Nissan Nismo 350Z is perfect car for most fans of sports road cars.
However, Nismo is expanding its range of performance models. Today the company is starting to fine-tune production cars. These will include the sports coupe Nissan Skyline, Nissan Altima, supercar Nissan GT-R, as well as some family sedans and hatchbacks. The first step has already been taken. The Tiida subcompact car received a completely new body kit, an improved exhaust system and many interesting design developments in the cabin.
Nismo has created the Chassis Package, which is a unique kit for modifying the chassis of a car. It features Bilstein Damptronic shock absorbers, stiffer springs, and 20-inch Ray forged wheels.
Tuning studio Ralliart
Founder: Masao Taguchi
Year the company was founded: 1984
City: Tokyo
Country: Japan
Web site: www.ralliart.com
Type of tuning: Tuning Mitsubishi cars
For more than 20 years Ralliart Inc. takes part in various automobile competitions, in particular the FIA World Rally Championship, Cross Country Rally (better known as Dakar Rally), Production Car World Rally Championship, Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and many other championships held in Japan and abroad its borders. Today, the Ralliart brand has become a symbol of almost any automobile competition.
Ralliart was originally created to try to combine motorsport with art. And the company succeeded. On the tracks, people and machines compete together, but this is a healthy spirit of competition. Ralliart Inc. tries to make any sports cars “friendly” to people.
In addition to cars for racing tracks, the tuning studio is engaged in the modification of civilian cars of the Mitsubishi line. Today it has tuning programs for almost any production car. At the same time, tuning can affect any aspect: from changing the body and installing aero kits to engine chip tuning.
Among the company's latest works is the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis Ralliart. It’s quite a mid-price city car, which is made specifically for daily use on the road. The Mitsubishi structural division went through this model literally bone by bone, identifying its strengths and weak sides, and only after careful analysis, presented its version. Thus, a more than stylish design and excellent driving characteristics adorned the updated Galant - in the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis Ralliart.
Tuning studio Kleemann
Founder: Private workshop
Year the company was founded: 1985
City: Farum
Country: Denmark
Website: www.kleemann.dk
Type of tuning: Improving technical characteristics, car individualization
A hobby turns into a profession, and then into art and business. This is how the story of the famous tuning studio from Denmark Kleemann began. First, two young people decided to make money on their passion - the development and implementation of extraordinary design solutions for Mercedes-Benz cars, and created a company that later became famous throughout the world.
The first serious step towards global recognition was taken five years after the company was founded. In 1988, for very wealthy clients, the guys created the first compressor, and then developed a promising technology that has established itself as the most effective option for increasing engine power. It was possible to put production on stream only in 1994, with the appearance of a new, very enterprising co-owner in the company. Thanks also to him, Kleemann is today called the unofficial king of compressors.
“Comfort Power” - the slogan that the company has chosen for itself, obliges us to ensure reliability and convenience in everyday use. This also applies to solutions for increasing power and other dynamic characteristics. Gearboxes and reliable engines are able to withstand loads that significantly exceed factory ones. The studio provides a guarantee for all its work, and also provides the opportunity to refuse tuning at any time, returning to the factory parameters.
Kleemann employees take an individual approach to each order and when working on a particular car, they listen and take into account the client’s wishes. The result of tuning will never compromise the style, safety or reliability of the car enthusiast. The combination of power and comfort for everyday use is the main characteristic of any Kleemann vehicle.
The best confirmation of the truly worthy work of the studio are two world speed records. Both of them belong to Danish racing driver Jason Watt. He installed the first on a four-door sedan, accelerating it to 338 km/h, and the second on an SUV, in which the guy managed to reach a speed of 282 km/h.
Tuning studio Kicherer
Founder: Private workshop
Year the company was founded: 1976
City: Stokach
Country: Germany
Website:
Type of tuning: Car customization
The Kicherer company was founded in 1976, and was initially engaged in the assembly, sale, and modification of the most famous exclusive Alpina cars. However, the company gained real success and fame in the field of tuning as it collaborated with Mercedes-Benz. For a long time, the tuning studio created unique modifications for different Mercedes lines. In 2003, the studio finally moved into Mercedes-Benz ownership, receiving the full name Kicherer Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH & CO. KG.
Today the company carries out expensive orders for clients, using high-end cars as a basis, and cooperates with exclusive factories to produce unique components for cars.
The work of designers at the Kicherer tuning studio comes down to improving the aerodynamic capabilities of cars by improving exterior elements; creating luxury salon interiors (leather upholstery, replacing panels and steering wheel with parts made from expensive materials, equipping with the best electronics); deep technical modification (replacing engines, strengthening the gearbox, installing stronger brakes, replacing the exhaust system) - in a word, bringing to perfection both the internal and external elements of the car.
The result of the studio’s work is always a unique car design that best meets the owner’s requirements, has a modern safety system, and has the most outstanding ride quality, while being completely controllable by the owner.
The company's designers developed a simple but very imaginative logo: three slanted stripes, each thinner than the previous one, located in front of a clear slanted font: /// KIRCHERER. The logo gives the impression of three-dimensional letters carved from matte stainless steel. Solid, simple and tasteful.
Kircherer's headquarters are located in Germany in Stokach. The company also has offices in Norway, the UAE, Austria, Italy and the USA.
Tuning studio Carlsson
Founder: Hartge Brothers
Year of company foundation: 1989
City: Merzig
Country: Germany
Web site: www.carlsson.de
Type of tuning: Mercedes-Benz car tuning
Carlsson is one of the world's most famous door closers for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Paradoxical as it may seem, the history of the tuner began with the fine-tuning of BMW cars. Back in the 70s of the last century, the brothers Herbert and Rolf Hartge, being official dealer BMW, were fond of racing and fine-tuning cars. Gradually, tuning began to dominate the family business, as a result of which the company Herbert Hartge GmbH appeared, specializing in “pumping” various BMW models. After the release of the Mercedes 190 (W201), the brothers decided to also work on Mercedes cars, but it was impossible to work within the existing studio, because The name Herbert Hartge GmbH was strongly associated with BMW tuning.
This is how Carlsson Autotechnik GmbH was born in 1989. By the way, the name was borrowed from the Swedish racer Ingmar Carlson, who is a friend of the Hartge brothers. At the moment, Carlsson is a relatively small but very reputable company. The studio’s specialists produce about 120 cars a year, and an average of 5,000 different cars are equipped with branded Carlsson components. The tuner has a well-developed dealer network (more than 40 dealers around the world).
As for the direct upgrade of Mercedes-Benz cars, Carlsson works with the entire existing model range: R-Class, C-Class, SL-Class and GL-Class and others. The studio's projects stand out for their originality and professionalism. Proof of this fact can be the fact that at the SEMA 2006 exhibition, the CL500 coupe, upgraded by Carlsson specialists, was named by the famous publication “Modified Luxury & Exotics” as a better purchase than the Bentley Continental.
Tuning atelier M-Sys GmbH
M-Sys GmbH was founded in 1998 by Martin Blankl, an engineer (automation technology) by profession. He implemented innovative production process management programs.
In 2000, the company entered into the following areas of activity: Infotainment systems and multimedia in the automotive sector. In 2006, Web design and Web applications were added to our portfolio.
The company works independently on large projects.
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Among the many companies involved in tuning premium cars, the recently opened Italian company Ares Performance stands out, positioning itself not just as a “tuning” studio, but as the best tuning studio!
The engineers and designers of the company, located in Modena, the homeland of Enzo Ferrari, compare their approach to business with the work of a tailor, who not only carefully approaches cutting and tailoring according to individual patterns, but also carefully selects the material for the future suit. Chief designer Mihai Panaitescu applies the same to the choice of materials for the interior - and these are various types of leather, natural wood, high-quality glass and metal - and to the exterior of the cars that Ares Performance works on. Despite his youth, Mihai managed to work at Toyota and Lotus, where he gained experience, but did not lose the creative enthusiasm of a true artist.
The person responsible for the “filling” of Ares Performance products is the legend of the European automobile industry, Wolf Zimmermann, who is known for his work at MercedesBenz AMG and Lotus. Ares Performance already has tuning programs for Aston Martin Rapide S, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Vogue, Bentley Continental GT, and in the near future - Rolls-Royce Wraith and Ghost II, as well as Lamborghini Huracan. “Improving” cars that are already gems of the industry concerns not only the appearance and interiors, but also increasing engine power. For example, the tuned Aston Martin Rapide S gets an additional 50 hp under the hood. and can accelerate to 320 km/h. While Ares Performance does not have a permanent representative office in Russia, it counts on our market as one of the key ones. More full information About the company's products and plans can be found on the website www.ares-performance.com
Our information
Wolf Zimmerman, Technical Director of Ares Performance For technical part Wolf Zimmerman, former Chief Engineer Lotus company and generally a legendary personality. The fact is that he previously served on the board of directors of MercedesBenz AMG and personally led the development of the Mercedes-Benz SLS model. This young man has already completed an internship at the Pininfarina studio, and then worked at Toyota and Lotus. People first started talking about Mihai Panaitescu back in 2007, when he, as a 20-year-old student, won the Peugeot Design Contest.
Car projects from the most famous studios in the world.
At the same time, in the top ten rating best cars The tuning included not only sports cars and race cars, but also SUVs. Despite the numbering of the rating, in fact it is quite difficult to select and place them according to some parameters. All 10 cars have bright and unique characteristics and all are worthy of the title best car.
First place - Carlsson C25 Royale Super GT
As a result, thanks to more than 70 changes to the car, its speed has increased to a maximum of 354 km/h, and acceleration from 0 to 100 is only 3.7 seconds.
Second place - Dacia Duster.
The second car, the Dacia Duster, was designed by Tork Engineering. This tuning project has a 3.8-liter engine with a power of 850 hp. from a Nissan GT-R car.
This car was created for Pikes Peak racing. This car has particularly striking and unique characteristics and, in the opinion of many, is worthy of the title of the best car of 2011.
Third place - Aventador LP700-4
3-4 ant 002 In third position is the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 from Oakley Design. Thanks to modernization, the car increased its power to 71 hp.
In addition, the use of some new body and engine elements made it possible to reduce its weight.
It is planned to produce five cars of this version.
Fourth place - X6 M Typhoon S.
In fourth position in the rating is the G-Power X6 M Typhoon S, representing tuning BMW version X6 M made by G-Power. Modernization of the engine made it possible, after boosting it, to increase power to 725 hp. at stock 555 hp.
Acceleration time to hundreds has now been reduced to 4.4 seconds. Not a bad result, if you remember the dimensions and weight of a car like the BMW X6 M.
Fifth place - BMW 7 Series
The tuning kit included a specially designed steering wheel, a rear spoiler, and some minor modifications and tweaks to the engine.
In sixth position is a project called Flash Evo M from the tuning studio Hamann Motorsport.
This project provides a complete package containing: everything necessary to refine the entire range of car engines; springs for suspension with a lowering of up to 30mm; new elements of the brake system; and an aggressive body kit.
Seventh place - Chevrolet Camaro SS Black Cat.
Seventh position was taken by the Chevrolet Camaro SS Black Cat. Thanks to the efforts of specialists from Speed Box, the car acquired a mechanical supercharger, which increased the car’s power to 625 hp.
In order for the car to withstand high loads, the suspension was replaced with another, more rigid H&R brand. In terms of the appearance of the body, the car has remained virtually unchanged. Only the body color and rims of the car have changed.
Eighth place - Porsche Cayenne.
We cannot fail to mention such a model as the Porsche Cayenne in our rating. Craftsmen from the Hamann Motorsport studio equipped it with a new body kit with aerodynamic characteristics, a new type of control unit with improved software characteristics, a lowered suspension, and new wheels.
Ninth place - Mercedes-Benz G-class.
In ninth position is the popular Mercedes-Benz car G-class. After being in the hands of the masters from Mansory, its characteristics became even more perfect.
Mercedes-Benz G-class received a noticeable increase in power for the V12 engine. And now the power of its engine reaches the prohibitive level of 825 hp. This is largely due to the installation of 4 turbines and new software in the ECU.
Diversion system exhaust gases It was also modernized due to the changed characteristics of the engine. Today, such a tuning kit for a car can be ordered on the domestic market.
Tenth place - Range Rover Sport Swiss Edition.
And finally the tenth position, but not the last, since we said above that all the cars in the rating are worthy of the title of the best tuning car.
Tenth position is occupied by the Range Rover Sport Swiss Edition, designed by specialists from Project Kahn in the UK. The result was an SUV with a V8 engine and a volume of 5 liters.
Photo from racefriv.com
We will talk about a very popular side of tuning - modifying external parts.
Let’s start with a short overview of the world’s famous tuning studios, from which you can order any body kit or its parts, as well as develop an exclusive design (including online). Let me make a reservation right away, this pleasure is not cheap, it is for those who are really ready to fully invest in their favorite car.
Tuning as a concept
Car tuning has recently gained incredible popularity all over the world, including here. Interest in this topic is largely fueled by a number of popular feature films, such as “The Fast and the Furious,” “Taxi,” “Transporter,” as well as a whole galaxy of computer racing simulators that can captivate not only teenagers, but also respectable people.
Tuning from English - adjustment, tuning. In the automotive industry, tuning means improvement. driving characteristics car: maximum speed, aerodynamics, acceleration and braking efficiency, cross-country ability (if we are talking about SUVs), etc.
In the philistine environment (that is, among us - ordinary motorists), the concept of "tuning" is much broader: it includes changing the appearance, remodeling the interior, improving the sound, and even coloring.
In America and Western Europe, a “pumped car” is a car made for a specific owner, based on his preferences and interests. But in our country, only a few people can be called connoisseurs of real car tuning. And the workshops where they can competently “pump up” a car, making significant changes to the design of the engine, suspension and other elements of the car, can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
However, the phrase “car tuning” most often means only external finishing, which in general is not bad in itself, since it indicates the owner’s desire to ensure that his car is somehow different from thousands of other cars.
Tuning can change the appearance of a car beyond recognition / Photo from pcauto.com.cn
Some people think that exterior finishing- the matter is the simplest. After all, it extends from banal stickers, moldings and tinting to plastic canopies and chrome plating. And at the same time, rarely does anyone at this level engage in calculations and research. As a rule, it is enough for the majority of motorists to be guided solely by aesthetic considerations. And they are, in principle, right, since the practical load on standard car these bells and whistles don't bring anything. The main thing is not to cause harm.
But for those who have more deeply improved the technical part of the car, such additions will even be useful, because all these spoilers, wings, body kits, etc., increase pressure on the road, create the “correct” air flows and vacuum areas in the right places, and contribute to additional cooling engine compartment and brake system. However, people who are preparing a car so that it “doesn’t drive fast, but flies low” know that external tuning can actually affect the increase in power and speed of the car.
One of the implementation options is to order the delivery of a “body kit” (a set of equipment for external tuning), a ready-made solution for a specific car. Moreover, there are plenty of manufacturers of high-quality components for modifying cars in the world. Often their products - aerodynamic body kits - are included in the standard equipment of some cars.
As you know, an aerodynamic body kit is various linings on the body to increase the streamlining of the car. The lower the drag coefficient Cx, the higher the streamlining - not only the maximum speed and acceleration dynamics, but also fuel consumption depend on this.
So, for example, at a speed of about 100 km/h in a rather angular car from the late 1980s, noise appears in the area of the struts windshield, but this is not observed on passenger cars of the late 1990s precisely due to more sophisticated aerodynamics. To increase the maximum speed of American Nascar racing cars by 8 km/h, according to engineering calculations, either an increase in engine power of 50 hp will be required. s., or a decrease in Cx by 15%. This is the arithmetic in favor of aerodynamics.
However, when you start improving aerodynamic properties, you should remember that you need to use high-quality components, which are not only thought out by specialists in terms of shape, but also made of high-quality materials with guaranteed reliable fastening.
Manufacturing companies
Who produces really worthwhile body kits that pass all kinds of tests?
Let me make a reservation right away: I don’t take into account the “court” studios of automakers, such as Fiat’s Abarth or Hamann from BMW. We are talking strictly about “free artists” who are able to create outside of any allotted framework and marketing conventions.
One of the most famous manufacturers of body kits and their elements for European brands cars are considered Kerscher Tuning and Rieger Tuning.
The first of these companies specializes not only in the production of external elements, but also in the manufacture of exhaust systems, rims and spacers for them, and much more. Body kits from Kerscher are available to owners of almost all cars German marks different classes and years of manufacture (the only exception is Mercedes-Benz, which has its own “court” tuning studio with the exclusive right to any improvements in the design). The company's specialists work with plastic, which, unlike fiberglass, does not crack upon impact, is more durable, and is also cheaper.
Photo from jms-fahrzeugteile.de
Except in Germany on own factory, Kerscher products are not produced anywhere else. So the buyer cannot face poor quality of products and the impossibility of installing “seemingly suitable” components on production cars. The delivery set necessarily includes all the necessary fasteners.
The second company producing aerodynamic body kits for European women is Rieger Tuning. It is not tailored, like the first one, strictly for the German auto industry, and therefore its body kits improve the appearance of representatives of a number of other brands, such as Skoda, SEAT, FIAT, Peugeot and the “European” Ford. The company was founded in Germany in 1987 and, in addition to producing body kits, is engaged in the sale of components technical tuning from third party manufacturers.
Car tuning / Photo from fancytuning.com
The Rieger catalog can be said to be an encyclopedia of European styling, since the company's product range allows you to radically redesign the car's appearance and make only minor changes. Rieger Tuning also provides certification services to companies working with small-scale kits or unique products.
Another well-known manufacturer of body kits for SUVs, whose workshops and headquarters are based in Germany (near the ancient town of Bielefeld) is Cobra Technologie & Lifestyle. This studio mainly works on SUVs. Moreover, “Jeeper” body kits from “Cobra” are also produced for a large number of Japanese and Korean models (globalization, however). For example, kits for improving the appearance are very interesting Nissan Murano and the previous generation Pathfinder.
Let me note that a body kit for an SUV is completely different from a body kit for a passenger car - it differs not only in appearance, but also in functional features: instead of “sleek” side “skirts”, a jeep should have chrome-plated arches that can protect the sills and bottom during driving on a dirt road.
VeilSide is one of the most famous and respected Japanese manufacturers of external elements at home and abroad. It is enough to note the fact that in 1991 at the Tokyo Motor Show this tuning company received the main prize in the category “Best Modified Car”. But at that time the company was not even six months old. Since then, she has gained worldwide fame.
Photo from dianliwenmi.com
When creating body kits and their elements, VeilSide freely relies on the activities of third-party companies: for example, organizations involved in the study of aerodynamics and new materials. In addition, the company's management managed to certify its original parts, and as a result, VeilSide became the first manufacturer of tuning products to receive a quality certificate.
Now, in addition to the main Japanese enterprise, there is also an American branch.
Other popular manufacturers of aerodynamic body kits and their components from the Land of the Rising Sun include Auto Couture, Impul and Varis.
Auto Couture produces, so to speak, elite products. Here they work on the appearance of not only cars produced for domestic market, but also over purely export models such as Lexus. And even the owners of some European cars have the opportunity to modify the external styling of their cars using Japanese elements (since Auto Couture products are exclusive, the company’s lineup includes only samples for elite models, for example, for the Mercedes-Benz S600, BMW 7 Series or Maseratti Quattroporte ).
Photo from autohome.com.cn
As for the Impul company, it is tailored exclusively for Nissan. But they make such body kits that they change the appearance of even seemingly unstyling “Japanese women”. Thus, through the efforts of Impul, the stock Nissan March (in the K11 body) is transformed from a “women’s car” into a thunderstorm of circuit racing: a rear spoiler, massive bumpers with huge slots and linings that make the wheel arches visually wider. In addition to producing aerodynamic body kits, Impul also produces exhaust systems, filters, instruments, suspension parts and much more.
But the Varis company from Kanagawa is working on the appearance of cars from almost all local manufacturers (with the exception of small-scale production plants). Varis specialists have extensive experience working with the now fashionable carbon fiber and the similar, but much more durable Kevlar. But composites are expensive products for customers with deep pockets or wealthy sports car clubs.
For the average car owner, the company produces a large range of plastic body kits with very interesting shapes and designs. Moreover, Varis still produces kits for some machines that have long been discontinued. For example, today the owners of Skylines in the 32nd body and Levin AE86 can find a hood or trunk lid in their catalogue.
If we touch on globalization again, then on the European market you can find many external body solutions with the inscription “Made in Australia” on the accompanying documents. One may, of course, wonder how products from the Green Continent were brought here, but nevertheless, the EGR company from Brisbane, which employs more than 800 specialists, creates aerodynamic body kits for models that have just appeared on the market, that is, for the most advanced ones. And therefore the company is provided with constant demand for its products.
EGR / Photo from autoaccessoriesgarage.com
In order to still be closer to the customer, in 1990 EGR opened a British branch of the company with its own design office.
Alternatives
These are not all companies involved in the production of aerodynamic body kits. But in addition to the originality of the solutions, the above solutions also guarantee 100% quality. For some of them, the production of external tuning elements is the main occupation, for others it is only one of the activities. Some work with plastic, a smaller part - with fiberglass, and some may also offer carbon parts. But no matter what material the products of these companies are made from, they will never come off at high speed from the car for which they are intended, and will not cause an accident for the vehicle driving behind you.
However, if you can’t afford to pay for an order from a venerable foreign tuning studio (I agree, there is probably a much more important use for the money), then you can contact our own workshop in your own (or neighboring) city, which has a positive reputation (or better, if examples I was able to examine its tuning myself, and from different angles). It will be cheaper. But the time frame for the project will probably be greatly extended, since the local workshop, despite all the skills of the staff, is not a factory that produces products using an industrial method.
Well, for those who have sharpened hands correctly, and in addition, have the opportunity to find free time, the so-called garage tuning may be quite suitable. Why not? What's the main thing here? Follow technology. Well, act according to the principle of the attending physician: “Do no harm.” But the savings in money will be significant (but not in time - in this case it is quite difficult to set deadlines). And the result may turn out to be very good - depending on the possession of a “sense of beauty” and the necessary hard work.
