The Rebel Benz: Helmut Marko’s 1989 EVO1 Saga

In the annals of motorsport, few stories encapsulate the mix of ambition, ingenuity, and controversy quite like this one. Long before Dr. Helmut Marko became the architect behind Red Bull Racing’s dominance in Formula 1, he was stirring the pot in another prestigious racing series: the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM).

The year was 1988. Dr. Marko was running his own DTM team, fielding a pair of Mercedes-Benz 190Es. The cars were driven by Jörg van Ommen, a capable wheelman rivaling the factory-backed squads, and Franz Klammer, the legendary skier-turned-racer. For a privateer operation, the results were stellar. Van Ommen was pushing the works Mercedes team hard, earning admiration — and perhaps some resentment from the Mercedes-Benz factory team.

Behind the scenes, Mercedes-Benz was preparing to launch a game-changing evolution of its 190E race car for the 1989 season. Dubbed the 2.5L EVO1, the upgrade featured a larger, more powerful engine and significant aerodynamic enhancements. It was designed to take the fight to BMW, and anyone else daring to challenge Mercedes’ dominance.

Der Flamingo: A Pink Porsche 911 that Roars

What started life as a green Porsche 911 Turbo has been reborn as a bubblegum-pink 911, affectionately nicknamed Flamingo. But don’t let the playful paint job fool you. Beneath the surface lies a fire-breathing beast powered by a 3.8-liter turbocharged flat-six. With more than enough oomph and a featherweight 1,020 kg curb weight, this car is less Flamingo and more wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Commissioned by none other than Jean-Pierre Kraemer, the Flamingo now resides in his own Pace Museum in Dortmund. While JP is known for his hands-on approach to car projects, this time he entrusted the experts at AP-Car-Design.

The story began in 2021 when JP visited AP-Car-Design’s workshop in Göttingen, Germany. That visit planted the seed for what would become his ultimate 964. The base was a green 964 Turbo, stripped to bare metal before being painstakingly rebuilt. The centerpiece of the transformation? A newly minted 3.8-liter turbo engine, ensuring this Porsche is as fast as it is striking.

Mine’s inspired Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R

During a recent visit to the Pace Museum in Dortmund, I stumbled upon an extraordinary exhibit: the personal collection of Jean-Pierre Kraemer, better known as JP. If you’ve ever delved into the world of automotive tuning, you’ll recognize JP as one of Europe’s most charismatic car enthusiasts. But here’s the kicker—in one of his latest videos, JP casually revealed that his collection now boasts a staggering 105 cars. So more than enough cars to fill his personal museum.

It’s not just the quantity that’s jaw-dropping; it’s the quality and diversity. This isn’t your stereotypical supercar hoard with endless rows of Lamborghinis and Ferraris. No, JP’s collection is a reflection of his unique automotive vision. You’ll find everything from a Renault Twingo with a Yamaha R1 engine strapped in the back to a classic Lamborghini Diablo. It’s a gearhead’s dream come to life.

Every car in the collection has been treated to JP Performance signature modifications, blending performance with personal flair. One standout is his Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, which he personally imported from Japan. JP’s mission? To create his own interpretation of the legendary Mine’s R34, a car famous for tearing up Japan’s Tsukuba Circuit with a blistering lap time of 57.7 seconds. Keep in mind, that record was set in 2005, and even today, any sub-minute time on Tsukuba is a serious achievement.

15 Years in the Making – The Ultimate BMW E30

The BMW E30 is a chameleon of the automotive world. Whether you’re after a sleek stance build or a performance monster, it’s the ultimate blank canvas. Proof? Look no further than Joost van de Ven’s masterpiece—a 15-year passion project that epitomizes the E30’s versatility. Spotted at the Tuning Experience during the Essen Motor Show, this car is as much a reflection of Joost’s relentless pursuit of perfection as it is a nod to the enduring appeal of the E30.

Joost’s Instagram is a rolling chronicle of this car’s evolution, showcasing years of tweaks, upgrades, and refinements. While it may look like the culmination of his efforts, Joost himself would likely say this isn’t the end of the journey.

Turbo Zwoelf – A Mercedes SLC Like No Other

At the JP Performance stand at the Essen Motor Show, the Volto 850 wasn’t the only project turning heads. Sharing the spotlight was this Mercedes-Benz SLC 450 Turbo Zwoelf, a machine so outrageous that even its name hints at the lunacy beneath its bonnet.

This isn’t just any SLC 450—it’s powered by a V12 engine, essentially the same one that roars in the heart of a Pagani Zonda. If that weren’t enough, it’s been fitted with not one, but two turbochargers, transforming this vintage coupe into a snarling, fire-breathing beast.

The car reminds me of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC AMG ‘Mampe’ Touring Car, a racing icon sponsored by the German liqueur producer Mampe. The original car was famous for its wide arches and aggressive stance. JP Performance took that concept and dialed it up to 11, pushing the wheel arches to exaggerated proportions.

Volto 850 – Electrifying the Past

Electric cars are no longer a novelty—they’re an integral part of the automotive landscape. But let’s face it, why are so many of them so painfully uninspiring to look at? But the same could be said for many modern ICE cars, to be fair. So, what’s the solution? Simple: take an iconic design and electrify it. That’s exactly what we have here—a Volvo 850 turned into a cutting-edge EV.

This jaw-dropping build started as a digital concept by Mean Machines and was brought to life by Hote Design, who handled the exterior transformation. The rest of the project, including the drivetrain and all the mind-bending tech, was conceived and built by the creative wizards at JP Performance. Jean Pierre Kramer, the mastermind behind JP Performance, has made a name for himself by pushing boundaries, and this Volto 850 was undoubtedly one of the highlights of his stand at the Essen Motor Show.

Unlike most modern EVs, this one doesn’t just plug in and drive—it gives you choices. The EV drivetrain, positioned cleverly behind the front seats, powers both the front and rear wheels. Using a simple control interface where the gear shifter would usually be, you can toggle the power distribution to suit your preference: all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or front-wheel drive. It’s this kind of versatility that sets the Volto 850 apart from the sea of soulless electric commuters.

Bagged Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Fit for Royalty

If ever a car deserved to be called Fit for a King, it’s this Mercedes-Benz 280 SE. Hailing from an era when Mercedes-Benz built their cars like tanks, finding one in this condition is a rare feat. But Bastien Fischer managed to track down this gem and has spent years transforming it into the automotive masterpiece you see here.

First spotted earlier this year at Ultrace, this W126 caught my eye again at the Essen Motor Show. With a production history dating back to 1979, the 280 SE is a symbol of German engineering excellence. But what makes this car truly stand out is the vintage Kamei body kit, introduced in 1982 under the name X1. Back then, X1 was the tuning division of Kamei.

Today, sourcing an X1 body kit for a W126 is no small task, but it’s the kind of touch that completes a build like this. Combined with an air ride suspension system, the car’s stance becomes an eye-catching blend of old-school sophistication and modern-day cool.

Essen Motor Show’s Gem – The Perfect BMW E9

The Essen Motor Show 2024 is in full swing, and as tradition dictates, last Friday was all about hitting the autobahn to Germany for the show’s much-anticipated Preview Day. Once an exclusive affair reserved for press, exhibitors, and VIPs, Preview Day now offers early access to anyone willing to pay €10 extra. Predictably, this change has transformed what was once a quieter experience into a bustling start to the weekend.

For me, Preview Day is a mix of networking, catching up with familiar faces, and getting behind the lens to capture the cars. But let’s be honest: while the people and conversations make the event memorable, the cars are the real stars of the show. And one car that I wanted to see in real life, stole the spotlight for me this year—a breathtaking BMW E9 2800CS that didn’t disappoint.

When it comes to quality and sheer aesthetic appeal, this E9 was in a league of it’s own. Everything about it exuded precision and passion, from its stance to the meticulously crafted interior. This wasn’t just a build; it was a vision brought to life. What impressed me most was how the car retained the timeless lines of the original E9, a design so inherently beautiful it hardly needs enhancement.