RIP Bodo Buschmann

RIP Bodo Buschmann; the man responsible for some of the craziest Mercedes’ (and others) on the planet - through his company BRABUS - died yesterday aged 62 following a short illness.

Considered perfection.

Tom Newey is the very lucky owner of this red, big bumper Volkswagen Golf mark 2 16 Valve. Tom has always been around VW Golfs and when he inherited this Golf from his father he was able to tweak and alter it to become his ideal car.

The Golf first appeared in Tom’s life when his father upgraded his previous car to this ex-dealer demo car in 1990. Tom’s dad kept the car reasonably standard until around 3 years ago when the car and its bulging service folder (demonstrating a fully documented service history along with every receipt from B.R Motorsport and TSR Performance) transferred to Tom’s ownership and he set about some subtle but very important modifications.

Tom takes up the story “We had been thinking about possible engine conversions for quite a while and had been in talks with TSR Performance about which route to go down. The aim was never to go for the typical 1.8 20v turbo swap that seems to be more and more common these days; we wanted to keep the car ‘raw’ and true to its roots so we opted to have a full overall of our current engine. This consisted of TSR Performance boring the engine out to a 1.9, adding 83mm Wossner forged pistons and a set of Piper 274\276 ultimate road cams along with a new fuel metering head and fuel injectors. In addition, we also had a gas flowed cylinder head (to Pack A specification) and added a TSR Performance/Milltek 4 branch manifold with full Jetex exhaust system.”

To cope with the added power and urgency the now 1900cc engine produces Tom sent the gearbox away for a complete rebuild, whilst being rebuilt it also gained a new Quaife LSD and a Sachs clutch kit.

The chassis also benefitted from some attention, being fully poly bushed and having a complete set of adjustable Koni dampers and Eibach springs fitted. As a result the Golf now sits some 35mm lower. To tighten things up a little more on the handling from Tom has also fitted an Eibach from strut brace. The difficult task of stopping the car is now handled by rebuilt G60 280mm calipers in conjunction with Pagid discs and fast road pads.

“This really has made for a totally different car!” adds Tom “The difference is like night and day compared to how it was before, especially with its 7800 rev limit; it has made for a real screamer of a car”. When the car was last on TSR Performance rolling road it was producing a very healthy and more importantly easily useable 180bhp.

Performance was not Tom’s only requirement, the Golf needed to look the part too. “I’m not interested in the “scene”; running low with highly stretched tyres.” mentions Tom “In my opinion you can’t beat a good, well sorted OEM example…hope you agree!” To this end the Golf has recently had a full body restoration consisting of new seals, bumpers, G60 arches, a full respray (in the original Tornado Red that it left the factory in) as well as having all the original underseal carefully replaced with new underseal.

With the body fully sorted Tom then came up against a slight issue “My next problem was to find the ‘perfect’ set of wheels to give that OEM look that the car really deserved and needed” remembers Tom “This is where Chris at B-Star wheels came in! The B-Star 8x16” RA wheels are a work of art and what should have come with the car from factory, they really fill the arches well and in my opinion have made the car pretty much perfect”

Tom is very pleased with how his family’s Golf has turned out, we think it is a shining example of how an OEM+ car can offer style and speed all very, very subtly. Below is a complete spec list of Tom’s Golf:-

Engine

1.8 KR engine bored out to a 1.9

83mm Wossner pistons

Pack A gas flowed head

ARP bolt kit

Piper 274/276 ultimate cams

7800 rev limit

Modified fuel metering head - providing 10% more fuel

Transmission

Fully rebuilt gearbox with Quaife LSD and Sachs clutch kit

Suspension

Koni adjustable dampers

Eibach springs

Fully polybushed

Eibach upper strut brace

Wheels

B-Star RA 16” 4x100 ET35 front and ET25 rear

195/45/16 Uniroyal Rainsport 2 tyres

Brakes

G60 280mm Calipers rebuilt by Alcon

Pagid discs

Pagid fast road pads

Our thanks go to Tom for letting us feature his car and to Daryl for the photographs. If you want your German car featured let us know and we’ll be happy to arrange something!

Feature car - Kurt Hertsens' Golf GTI G60

Here’s our first feature car, we’re hoping you like it as much as we do!

 
Kurt Hertsens is the very lucky owner of this Volkswagen Golf mark 2 GTI G60. Originally sold in The Netherlands in 1990 Kurt’s Golf is a genuine G60 making it a reasonably rare car. Once in Belgium and in the care of Kurt this mark 2 Golf underwent an extensive range of subtle modifications, all of which encompass the OEM+ ideal but done well before the OEM+ look had even become that popular.


The engine benefited from some attention, the 1800 8 valve now producing a healthy 200+bhp thanks to a new camshaft, a new chip and a smaller pulley. A Mocal thermostatic oil cooler helps the engine cope with the extra demands created by the power increase whilst some extra detailing ensures a concours finish to the engine bay.

To cope with the extra power and speed generated Kurt opted for a complete set of adjustable AP coilovers as well as improved brake callipers, pads, discs and braided hoses - a front strut brace keeps the struts nice and tight. Whilst altering all the brakes and suspension Kurt also opted to convert his Golf from the original 4x100 stud pattern to the later 5x100 pattern, removing the need for spacers or adaptors. Kurt also switched away from the Porsche 17” BBS Rennsport wheels he had fitted originally (using adaptors) to a brand new, special order set of 7½x17” Compomotive TH2s (ET32 front and ET22 rear). Wrapped in 185/35R17 tyres the wheels really compliment the car’s styling as well as adding to the poise and enhance the stiff, race-car like handling of the G60.

 Having ensured his Golf now goes, stops and corners as he would like Kurt turned his attention to the exterior and interior of the car. The Golf retains all the original Volkswagen badges and is still painted in the original Royal Blue colour as it was when it left the factory. In keeping with the OEM+ look the door handles have been replaced by Porsche 944 Turbo versions and the front fog lights are now yellow rather than white, very subtle we think you’ll agree.

The interior is once again an example of OEM+ at its best, the front seats are electric Recaros re-trimmed in Golf mark 6 chequer material and leather. The original BBS steering wheel benefits from some mark 6 chequer material and a custom fabricated aluminium centre. Audi TT pedals add a touch more aluminium to the interior whilst OE style VDO gauges in the centre console provide all the information Kurt needs to fully enjoy the performance of his Golf.

Kurt is very pleased with the his car and rightly so, it embraces everything that is good about the G60 and improves it subtly making this Belgian Golf one of the nicest everyday OEM+ spec cars we’ve seen.

Thanks to Kurt for all his help and the photographs, if you fancy getting your car featured just let us know!

Hamann 5 series Touring

BMW tuner Hamann {link} offers a comprehensive selection of tuning options for the BMW 5 series (F11) Touring. Ranging from a roof spoiler, deeper side skirts, 3 different front spoilers to sports exhaust, sports catalysts as well as 21" wheels and suspension kits.

Designed to improve not only the appearance but also the handling of the BMW the Hamann suspension kit is progressive allowing better damping and a 35mm lowering of the Touring (over standard).

The F11s interior also comes in for the Hamann treatment with their in-house upholsterers offering a wide choice of materials and colours with leather, naturally, being the most selected. To round the whole car off Hamann offer a nice set of velour mats - possibly the least impressive but most affordable tuning part on offer for the F11 from Hamann.

Eisenmann Spark Eight

As a first foray into Tuning by the exhaust company Eisenmann {link} their Spark Eight is certainly a good start. High quality body modifications are well crafted and subtle; the front spoiler, brake cooling ducts and rear diffuser follow the form of the Audi R8 well whilst the new springs and dampers combine with the 8½x19" wheels to offer a sportier yet not extreme stance and ride.

Naturally Eisenmann offer a selection of exhausts for their Spark Eight which include the centre exit version that fit their diffuser perfectly.

For those who would rather benefit solely from Eisenmann's exhaust experience there are options that fit the standard Audi R8 rear as well.

Brabus SV12 R

Once again Brabus {link} have created a car that takes both power and opulence to the extreme in the highly impressive and equally imposing SV12 R.
Based on the face-lifted Mercedes S600 the Brabus SV12 R produces 750PS and 1350Nm of torque from its refined twin turbo V12 engine. Whilst not a headline grabbing amount of power it is more than enough to power the 6.3 litre (an increase over the standard 5.5 litre) SV12 R to 62mph from a standing start in 4 seconds, top speed is electronically governed to 210mph.
As with every other Brabus that has adorned their IAA stand the SV12 R is absolutely brimming with Brabus modifications, from the huge brake discs (380mm front and 355mm rear) and calipers (12 pot front and 6 pot rear) to Brabus’ own 21“ wheels. Exhaust gases are carried into the environment by a quad pipe sports exhaust sytem
Aluminium front wings,specially designed front bumper, LED rear lights, LED front running lights, side skirts and rear spoiler/diffuser all improve performance as well as adding Brabus style.
Internally the SV12 R is a technophobe’s nightmare with a notebook, TFT Display, Web cam, MP3player and an internet connection all fitted. All these gadgets and the standard Mercedes fare are wrapped in exquisite leather offering cutting edge technology in a refined and extremely comfortable setting.
For those wishing tranquility along with breakneck performance there can be no other choice but the Brabus SV12 R!

Irmscher Astra

Irmscher launched their tuning options for the Opel/Vauxhall Astra on their stand at the IAA (Frankfurt motor show) yesterday. For those who find the standard new Astra a tad run-of-the-mill Irmscher {link} are offering a comprehensive range of styling products, both exterior and interior.
Exterior styling products include a front spoiler/lip for the bumper, sideskirts, a rear diffuser/spoiler plus a roof spoiler. The traditional Irmscher grille is available for the new Astra in either stainless steel or carbon effect.
Dynamic improvements include 18” wheels (20” wheels are currently being developed), 30mm lowering springs and a quad piped, twin exit (left and right) stainless steel exhaust back box that offers better through flow, a sportier sound and improved aesthetics.
Irmscher are offering complete leather interior for the new Astra (including seats, door panels and centre rests), aluminium door pins, pedals and stainless steel sill covers.

Kicherer E Class.

German tuner Kircherer {link} have unveiled their styling and performance package for the new AMG E Class.

Carbon is used widely in the body styling products thus the front spoiler, rear spoiler, rear bumper insert and mirror covers are all light weight carbon. All the styling items are designed to fit an E Class that has the AMG styling packet fitted already (Kircherer are well known and respected AMG specialists).

Kircherer already have a few engine tuning kits available for the new E Class with others under development.

A suspension kit is already on offer as is a performance exhaust sytem.

The interior also attracts Kircherer's attention gaining a sports steering wheel, carbon dash and door inserts as well as extra leather detailing.

Expect more tuning options from Kircherer for the E Class and other Mercedes to follow soon.

The most powerful SUV in world.

This month's Geneva Motorshow saw 2 claims for the world's most powerful SUV. First Brabus {link} unleashed their 700PS twin turbo G V12 S (based on the Mercedes G Class) then Mansory {link} unveiled their 710PS Chopster (based on the Porsche Cayenne.)!! Whilst the Chopster has a higher power figure its turbocharged V8 offers a mere 900Nm of torque compared to the G V12 S and its 1320Nm of torque!

The power and torque of both Über-SUVs endows them with performance that leaves all bar the hottest of hatches realing in their wake, unfortunately they both also come with very high price tags too!

New (old) Porsche Estate.....

A mere 18 years after the original 10 DP Motorsport {link} dp44 cargos were produced the final 5 are entering production. Based on a Porsche 944 with some Volkswagen derived parts added the dp44 Cargo retained the handling of the 944 whilst becoming a reasonably practical estate car, all finished to the excellent quality standards associated with DP (the same company who made the road legal version of Porsche's ubiquitous 956/962 race car).
Suitable for any (roofed) 944 the conversion uses various VW Passat derived parts that result in a very smart, almost manufacturer appearance and (more importantly) a proper 4 seater 944 with boot space too. The latest production models will be fitted with coilover suspension, 993 turbo brakes and 18" wheels as standard thereby improving their road performance over the original production models.
The dp44 is still a great drive, the majority of extra bodywork being high quality glassfibre. The 944 (and follow on 968) was an acclaimed performance coupé and when the dp44 rear conversion is fitted to a 944 S2 its sprigthly performance is still enjoyable nearly 20 years after its orginal conception.
Cost (excluding donor car) for the conversion are around £16,000 but with the production run planned to stop at 5 demand is expected to outstrip supply considerably!