It’s been another year filled with surprises, cool bikes and awesome cars; but, it’s almost over. I’m not sad, I’m looking forward to next year and a avalanche of new and interesting projects for me to introduce to you people, our fans. So, I’ve spent some time revising and looking down at the modified and tuned vehicles and bikes we’ve featured throughout 2013 and tried to come up with the Top 10 Tuned Cars of 2013.
First off, I’ve scratched off any car that didn’t feature performance modifications; in my opinion tuning is a lot more than graphic and visual improvements. Second, everything has got to be done with style, grace and respect towards the initial project. And third, it has to be something cool, that stands out from the crowd – while not being kitschy – and something that you’d pick out of a line-up when playing your favorite car game. Sounds like we’ve got enough criteria; let’s get on with it. Oh, and let’s nor forget two things: 1. There are 11 cars – sorry, I couldn’t help myself from braking the rules and 2. There are two bikes as well, mentioned as runners up, who are more than worthy of being on this list.
11. Manta Porsche 911 Turbo by OK-Chiptuning
This is one exclusive Porsche 911 Turbo generation 996 I’m quite fond of that gorgeous blue spoiler, supposedly responsible for providing the car with more downforce while rolling at high speeds. As far as the engine is concerned, the tuner has reprogrammed the 911′s ECU thus enabling the car to deliver a whopping 641 HP and 750 Nm of torque. They’ve also endowed this colorful Porsche with a brand new sports exhaust system, LW coilover suspension system, brand new Recaro racing seats in the front, tri-tonal leather steering wheel to match the overall theme and a Sachs-Performance clutch. The color-scheme is just marvelous!
10. Audi R8 V10 Biturbo GT by MTM
This cool, shiny GT is able to deliver a mind-boggling 802 HP and 892 Nm of torque. Considering these numbers, the car is able to hit a maximum speed of 223 mph (360 km/h) and to accelerate from naught to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3 seconds. The 124 mph (200 km/h) and 186 mph (300 km/h) markers will be reached in 10.6 seconds and respectively 26 seconds. The price tag? The MTM Audi R8 V10 Biturbo GT costs a dazzling €450,000 or approximately $600,000 at current exchange rates. It is worth it, though.
9. Dodge Challenger SRT8 by Vossen
First of all, I gotta say I love the fact that this Challenger was wrapped in matte black 3M vinyl. There’s a beautiful contras created by the set of metallic gloss silver CV-T 22-inch rollers and the green-colored break calipers. Looking tough and cool at the same time! Vossen also fitted the Charger with an Accuair suspension kit and a Vortech Supercharger, resulting in an output of over 700 hp. Seems about right!
8. Mercedes C63 AMG Dominator by mcchip-dkr
The C63 AMG usually delivers 487 HP, but the German tuner has managed to squeeze a massive 660 HP and 553 lb-ft of torque from its engine. The sound of the engine is an almost equally important factor, especially if you’re in a playful mood; therefore they’ve fitted the car with a state of the art exhaust system with sport catalysts and remote-operated valves. The tuning kit costs a reported €25,999 while the tuned Dominator car is also purchasable as a full unit, for €84,999. It is an unique paint-job, isn’t it?
7. De Tomaso Pantera ADRNLN by Ringbrothers
Ringbrothers debuted De Tomaso Pantera at the 2013 SEMA show in Las Vegas; surely, you consider it’s worth the attention. Originally, the De Tomaso Pantera had its world debut back in 1970 at the New York Motor Show, but this is actually a modern interpretation of the original model and I’m quite excited about it. The Tomaso Pantera ADRNLN is powered up by a Wegner Motorsports LS3 engine which develops 600 hp; this beast was mated to a ZF 5-speed transmission developed by Bowler Performance Transmissions that features a B&M shifter. This is a blast from the past, a sleek yellow hyper-car. Love it!
6. Ford Mustang Blizzard by Ringbrothers
We’re dealing with a heavily modified 1965 Mustang, called “Blizzard” due to its brilliant white paint. This particular Mustang is powered by a tuned 351-based V8 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series-style engine by Wegner Motorsports, which develops 710 bhp (529 kW). This white beast also features a Holley carburetor and Flowmaster mufflers, with cooling handled by a Be Cool radiator and fan setup, so.. the growling should be awesome, as is the discreet visual package.
5. 1970 Pontiac Firebird by All Speed Customs
Oh yeah, this is one cool American muscle-car! The Pontiac has been fitted with a twin-turbo 475 cubic inch (7.8-liter) V8 and many other updates under the bonnet, while looking awfully stunning with that triple black paint job shinning in the spotlight. The cabin has also been reworked and it now includes full leather with dual stitching, a custom center console, aluminum dash plate, custom billet door handles and many more. This black beast really looks menacing; it’s kind of the dark side of Bumblebee.
4. Mitsubishi EVO X by SchwabenFolia
To discuss this race car’s legacy is pointless; we might as well talk about the principles upon which an internal combustion engines works. The output of the 2.0-liter in-line 4-cylinder turbo engine under the bonnet of the Evo X stands at 390 HP (287 kW) and 520 Nm (383 lb-ft) of torque. The car has also been equipped with new wheels, brand new set of orange Enkei Yamato alloy rims painted in orange, measuring 18 inches in diameter and shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup semi-slick rubbers. Just take this baby out for a spin!
3. Ferrari 458 Challenge by Racing One
As if the Ferrari 458 Challenge wasn’t already a beast – that’s also true for any and all Ferrari built cars – Racing One decided they could do better and use their experience and knowledge to take this track-only Ferrari458 and drive it to the extremes. The Italian is powered by the same V8 4497 cc engine Ferrari put in, but now churns out 620 HP (456 kW) instead of the standard 570 HP (419 kW). I’m getting excited just by looking at it!
2. 2013 Scion FR-S Concept One by Bulletproof Automotive
The Scion FR-S Concept One features impressive numbers. The turbocharged engine was heavily modified, which resulted in the Concept One making use of an impressive 500 hp; while the Scion weighs less than 3000lbs, this means that the power-to-weight ratio is better than that of a stock Lexus LFA. Not to mention that the overall look – and the paint-job – paint a Fast and Furious-like mental picture.
1. 2013 Tron Chevy Camaro By SS Customs
This turbocharged Camaro is the stars of the show, so to say. Team Turbo Legacy had dressed it with Knifeless tape in Brushed Blue Steel signed 3M Commercial Graphics. Shaping up an even more aggressive look than the stock Camaro are the red headlights and the massive front spoiler. One thing you should definitely do is to look under its bonnet – even though the exterior is quite staggering, this car’s internal parts have also undergone all sorts of upgrades. It was fitted with two turbochargers which upped its HPs to a whopping 750. Guess it’s futile to say that’s a lot more than the stock 426 HP delivered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine. Now tell me you hate it!
Runners Up
#1 Iron Lung by Icon
The Iron Lung is part racing bike, part rat bike. It takes me back to a long-gone road racing era, when bikes were powerful, but almost impossible to ride, when the riders were considered superheros by the eager kids watching them race on TV. The Iron Lung is a speed machine, basically built for being ridden as hard as the pilot dares to, based on the 1991 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883. But the Iron Lung got a bore job, and the displacement jumped to 1,200 cc. This is one intriguing custom build; I love the bike’s retro and pure look.
#2 Hamann Soltador Cruiser
The so-called Hamann Soltador Cruiser boasts many components that were in-house crafted by Hamann specialists, like the rims, frame, air filter, exhaust and rocker. It was conferred a superb paint coat which depicts various moments from the history of Porsche. The power of the Soltador comes from a 1900 cc Harley Davidson Twin Cam B engine with machined channels, valve seats and valves. It generates a decent 160 HP; while weighing just 290 kg, the Soltador sprints from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.3 seconds. The engine is mated to a 6-gear Harley Davidson gearbox. It’s pure evil!
Merry Christmas, people.. and a Happy New Year!
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