ENCO Gladiator 700 GT Biturbo

ENCO Exklusive is not as famous as a number of other German tuners but their work speaks volumes. The latest project to come from the city of Chemnitz is this ENCO Gladiator 700 GT Biturbo that's based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

The Gladiator is preceded by the ENCO 550 GT Biturbo with 405kW (550hp). Thanks to larger turbos, sport catalytic convertors, an ENCO-designed sport exhaust system with manifolds and other modifications, power gains were made.

A maximum of 700 horses (515kW) has been released to accompany the 850Nm of torque sent to all four wheels. Zero to 100km/h is achieved in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 290km/h is possible. All that from a 2.5-tonne SUV. Stopping power comes from 410mmx36mm brake disks and 12-piston callipers up front and 380mmx32mm disks with 4-piston callipers at the rear. Black and red ENCO Jura alloy rims sized 11" x 23" are fitted inside 315/25R23 Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tyres.

Exterior kit includes daytime running lights, a front apron, a carbon fibre bonnet, a roof spoiler with air flow openings and side skirts. Inside there are four carbon fiber race seats (from the 911 GT3) covered in leather/Alcantara and a roll cage. The black and red theme is carried through the interior carbon fibre fittings on the centre console, door lining and steering wheel among others.

Audi TT-RS with 460hp by AVUS

Avus Performance has unveiled a new tuning package for the Audi TT-RS.

Dubbed the "new Ur-Quattro," the car features a modified ECU, a revised turbocharger, and a high performance exhaust system with racing catalysts. While this doesn't sound like much, the changes enable the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine to produce 460 bhp and more than 472 lb-ft (639 Nm) of torque. In terms of performance, the car accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and the top speed is a breathtaking 194 mph (312 km/h).

For comparison, the standard TT-RS "only" has 340 hp and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. It runs from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, before topping out at an electronically limited 155 mph (250km/h).

Avus also equipped the car with an adjustable coilover suspension (€1299), a matt black vinyl wrap (€1999), and gloss black 20-inch Sportec Mono wheels outfitted with 255/30/20 Hankook S1 Evo tires.

Toyota Prius by Tommy Kaira and ASI

Eco-friendly cars are the talk of the town for the moment. Every manufacturer is either producing one or planning to. Toyota is an acknowledged leader in the field with its Prius hybrid as well as others. Few respected tuners have embraced the green thing so far, unless they are based in Japan where it almost seems the government has a decree forcing tuners to work on "green" cars as well.

How else do you explain the flurry of activity coming from enviro-friendly garages around the country? This Prius done by Tommi Kaira is but one of these. It features low front lips, big front air dams shaped like those of an Audi R8, thick rims, wide side skirts and a new rear bumper. The Prius logo is missing, as is the discretion normally linked to the car. Most striking though are the four tailpipes which do not in any way suggest "green". In fact they have the opposite effect on the eye.

Cars like the GT-R or the Impreza STI are well-suited for power and body upgrades. They are expected to pollute the eardrum along with the planet, and their fans love them for it. Prius and Honda Insight are quite different simply because of the statement they make.

There certainly is a future in eco-tuning (new word for you) but no one is quite sure what it looks like. That's perhaps why cars like this one could be discarded in current tuning circles. One such tuner is Ben Schaffer, owner of Bespoke Ventures. His company is a major American/international parts distributor and marketer for top Japanese tuning brands (KenStyle, Top Secret). Schaffer's view is that eco is good yes, but it has no place in the world of powerhouses like the R35 GT-R. Moderation is the key instead of jumping on the bandwagon. He reminds his fellow competitors/colleagues not to lose sight of their core business and enthusiasm which is sports cars.

Ferrari 458 Italia by ASI

Japanese tunere ASI is used to taking on risky projects. They have attacked many already-high priced cars, and tried to make them better. Previous cars they have modified include the Bentley Continental GT, called the ASI Tetsu GTR, and the Ferrari 430.

Company CEO Satoshi Kondo has announced that his team of engineers are hard at work on their latest project: an aerokit for the Ferrari 458 Italia. Kondo authorized the release of these sketches, well in advance of the final prototyping, in effort to prevent future accusations of design theft.

A new front end is amongst the expected design changes, featuring with a new nose, larger hexagonal air intakes, and vents in front of the blacked-out wheels. The sketches also show a new wing mounted at the back.

If the company's mods on the F430 are any indication, do not expect a retuned engine. Instead, look for the new body parts to shave weight when compared to the old parts. The ASI F430 received a 27kg weight reduction when it was introduced in June.

AC Schnitzer Tuning Program for BMW Z4 (E89)

Under the hood, Schnitzer upgraded the turbocharged 3.0-liter engine (sDrive35i) so it now produces 360 hp. Thanks to the extra 60 hp, the Z4 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 286 km/h (178 mph).

Other performance modifications include a stainless steel sport exhaust system (with chromed 'racing' tailpipes) and a revised suspension.

To enhance the Z4's good looks, Schnitzer added an aerodynamic body kit with a new front spoiler, a chrome grille, aggressive front fenders (with integrated air vents), and a two-piece rear spoiler. The styling can be further accented by a wide variety of custom AC Schnitzer wheels available in 18, 19 or 20 inches.

Inside, the company adds an aluminum cover for the iDrive controller and an aluminum pedal set.

Geiger GTS with 710hp Based on Corvette ZR1

GeigerCars is based in Munich but American cars are its focus and have been for many years. At Frankfurt the tuner presents its latest high performance car in the form of the Geiger GTS. This supercar is based on the Corvette ZR1, one of the most coveted and respected sports cars of the past couple of years and a recognised slayer of the Nürburgring. Some of its well-documented handling credit must go to the electronically controlled suspension system dubbed Magnetic Selective Ride Control.

Describing the ZR1's engine as "primitive" Geiger set about to extract more out of the factory 6.2-litre LS9. Power has gone up to 522kW (710hp) at 6,600rpm and torque reaches a maximum of 918Nm at 4,200rpm. The 0 - 100km/h sprint takes a mere 3.6 seconds and top speed is 342km/h.

The list of mods includes a wide air vent on the nose, LED foglights, a massive rear diffuser and LED rear lights. The body paintwork is a pearl varnish that appears to change when looked at from different angles and lights.

Wheels measuring 285/30ZR19 at the front and 345/25ZR20 at the back are mated with 10x19 and 12x20 inch high-performance tyres respectively.

Enzo XX Evolution with 840hp by edo competition

Meet the new edo Enzo XX Evolution, the next step in the process. Power is up and weight is down, a sure recipe for good performance numbers. By increasing the Enzo's 6.0-litre V12 cubic capacity to 6.3-litre, installing new camshafts, modified cylinder heads, titanium valve spring retainers and connecting rods, high flow catalytic converters, mufflers and air filters and new high performance exhaust headers edo did just this.

A lot more was done like improving the transmission's shift times to 60 milliseconds - 20 milliseconds less than an F1 car and using lighter drive shafts.

In the end 100kg (220 lbs) was shed and extra horses were brought into the stable. Now the car makes 618kW (840hp) and maximum torque of (575 ft-lb) is available at 5,800rpm. Moreover removing the muffler frees an extra 20 horses (15kW).

Performance figures are 0 - 100km/h in 3.2 seconds, 200km/h (124mph) in 9 seconds and 300km/h in 19 seconds. Top speed is said to go beyond the 390km/h (242mph) point thus presenting a real challenge to the 407km/h recorded by the Veyron under the skilled tutelage of one James May.

Exterior changes include a new retractable rear wing, new LED taillights and a new rear skirt with winglets.

Edo Competition will throw in a test day with an instructor and full hospitality package for those who choose to convert their prized Enzos.

Hamann Ferrari California Tuning Programme

HAMANN Motorsport has developed a full tuning programme for the new Ferrari California. Promising to make Ferrari fans' hearts beat faster, HAMANN made changes to the entire car.

The 4.3-litre normally aspirated V8 has a standard power rating of 338kW (460hp). That will be increased by 20% to 406kW (552hp). To achieve that figure engineers are working on, among others, the engine management system as well as a sports exhaust.

It doesn't stop there. The exterior has a new aerodynamic kit that includes a lift-reducing front spoiler, a carbon fibre bonnet, side skirts that calm the air between the axles, a rear spoiler that increases contact pressure and a 3-part rear diffuser. Maximum grip is thus attained.

Still on maximum grip the car comes running on 245/30ZR21 tyres with 9.0Jx21 rims up front and 345/25ZR21 rubber on 12.5Jx21 at the rear. The wheels are black varnished multi-piece HAMANN aluminium with titanium bolting and are quite light to help reduce unsprung weight.

A full customisation application is available for the interior and ranges from a complete leather interior to personalised floor mats.

BMW M3 E92 V10 by Manhart Racing

As the lengthy name implies, Manhart has shoehorned the M5/M6's 5.0-liter V10 engine into a M3 coupe. The company didn't stop there as they removed the speed limiter and added a seven-speed SMG gearbox, a DME steering system, and a titanium exhaust with four 84mm (3.3") tailpipes. Thanks to all these modifications, the 550 hp M3 V10 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds before topping out at 334 km/h (208 mph).

In terms of styling, Manhart outfitted the car with new front and rear spoilers, a rear diffuser, a Bilstein coilover suspension, and 20-inch BBS 'Challenge R' wheels. Inside, the company added carbon fiber trim, alcantara and leather upholstery, and a new steering wheel "with illuminated rocker switches, ¼ mile and side acceleration displays."

Brabus E V12 - The Black Baron

Based on the new 2010 Mercedes E-Class W 212, the E V12 features a 6.0-liter V12 biturbo bored out to 6.3-liters producing 800 hp and 1420 Nm of torque (it's electronically limited to 1,100 Nm). While details are limited, Brabus outfitted the engine with a ram-air system, a quad-exhaust, and revised engine electronics.

To keep the beast under control, the company added a fully adjustable sports suspension, new stabilizers, a high performance braking system, and black 19-inch alloy wheels outfitted with 255/35 (front) and 285/35 (rear) tires.

In terms of styling, Brabus made major modifications to improve aerodynamics, engine ventilation, and brake cooling. Changes include a revised front bumper, new front quarter panels, aggressive side sills, and rear wheel covers. Out back, the car features a trunk-mounted spoiler and a carbon fiber rear diffuser.

Thanks to all these tweaks, the E V12 rockets from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.9 seconds, and 0-300 km/h (186 mph) in 23.9 seconds. If you keep your foot planted, the car will eventually top out at an electronically limited 350 km/h (217 mph). Without the limiter, Brabus estimates the car can hit a top speed in excess of 370 km/h (230 mph). Fuel consumption is rated at 15.7L/100km (15 mpg), while CO2 emissions are 372 g/km.

Inside, the car features black leather upholstery, an Alcantara headliner, carbon fiber trim, and a 400 km/h (249 mph) speedometer.

Production will be limited to ten units, and prices start at €600,000 ($875,000 USD).

Mercedes GLK 280 V6 by Lorinser

Lorinser has unveiled a modified Mercedes GLK 280 V6 to highlight their expansion into the world of custom paintwork.

Boasting a "fiery opal" paint job, the GLK is outfitted with a body kit that features new front and rear aprons, larger fog lights, and aggressive side sills. Other touches include a quad stainless steel exhaust system and matte black 9 x 22 inch Lorinser RS 9 light-alloy wheels outfitted with Yokohama tires.

While details are limited, the custom paintwork will be available from the Lorinser Collection. This is an odd choice since the department normally deals in merchandise such as Lorinser branded shirts, hats, and umbrellas (etc).

Aston Martin Vantage by MW Design Technik

Canadian tuners MWDesign + Technik have turned their eyes to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Their model, dubbed the Helvellyn Frost, is painted in a cool, matte white color meant to reflect the English Mountain Range from which Aston gets its name.

The engineers have designed new aerodynamics and performance enhancements in an attempt to improve on an already lauded car. The design package includes new bodywork, new fascias, and other body panels in carbon fiber, all of which fit into the spirit of the original vehicle. Now the car also sits on black Modulare M14 20-inch wheels that look superb on the white vehicle, especially with the frost white Brembo brake callipers.

Under the hood, the company added a polished RSC Vantage-C Powerkit which extends to a new exhaust. The 380-horsepower engine was retuned to output a much more serious 445 hp.

Audi TT-RS with 420hp by Abt

ABT Sportsline now has its own interpretation of the iconic Audi ur-Quattro which is based on the new Audi TT RS coupe and Roadster range. That car made not only history but headlines around the world when it took on opponents on the rally circuit and proved itself a more than capable competitor. After 50 years of tuning cars, ABT Sportsline General Manager Hans-Jürgen Abt makes a link between the legend and his company's newest creation.

"Our ur-Quattro is a big banger," he says, "a sports machine which played in the Champions league. Quattro technolog

y and performance are in perfect harmony. The TT RS brings this magical combination back on the road."

The TT RS uses the 5-cylinder layout made famous by the ur-Quattro. What ABT has done is to take it from its standard 250kW (340hp) to 309kW (420hp) by utilising a charge air cooler and optimising the engine electronics. Its 0 - 100km/h time is 4.3 seconds and it can go all the way up to 282km/h (175mph).

ABT is confident that the combination of quattro AWD and its power package gives the compact car exceptional agility and handling abilities.