Volkswagen Brasilia: A 1974 Icon from Sweden

When you think of Brasilia, you probably picture the Copacabana, the giant Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro, and tiny bikinis. But the Volkswagen Brasilia rarely tops my list of Brazilian trivia. Yet this 1974 example flips that perception on its head. Unfortunately, I didn’t find this example on the beaches of Brazil but inside the Tuning Experience hall at the Essen Motor Show.

The VW Brasilia itself is a fascinating chapter in VW history. Born in 1973 as Volkswagen do Brasil Ltda, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in Brazil, answer to the Beetle’s limitations. It was designed to offer more space and modern styling while keeping the beloved air-cooled simplicity.

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R Tuning Masterpiece

The Essen Motor Show has always been a playground for automotive dreams, but this year one car stole the spotlight. There are cars that define an era, and then there’s the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, a machine so iconic it’s practically our halo car. But what happens when you take one of these legends and decide to tear it down to its bones, rebuild it better than new, and do it all in just fifty days? That’s the madness that unfolded inside the JP Performance workshop leading up to the Essen Motor Show.

The story begins with a car that’s seen more stamps in its passport than most people. It cruised through Tokyo, sat in an Australian shop, and then spent months in limbo before finally arriving in Europe. The plan was simple on paper: restore, repaint, and reassemble the R34 to perfection in time for the Essen Motor Show. In reality, it was a high-wire act with no safety net.

Falken Mercedes EVO II Dominates Essen Show

This year’s Essen Motor Show didn’t disappoint. Among the new kids on the block and the usual suspects, one car stood out like a neon sign in a sea of chrome: a jaw-dropping Mercedes-Benz 190E that’s been making waves online for months. So now I finally had the possibility to take a closer look at this build and see all the details that make this car special.

The starting point was a humble 1991 190E. But owner Nic Stubbs didn’t just restore it, he transformed it into a full-blown EVO II tribute, complete with the iconic Falken livery. Under the bonnet sits a snarling V8 M113 engine, nestled in a meticulously cleaned and painted bay.

Suspension? Air ride, of course, paired with adjustable XLO dampers, camber tops, bespoke air bags, and custom control arms. The trunk houses the compressor and air tank in a show-ready install.

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.