Tighter chassis, more engine power and a few fat spoilers: For decades, tuners have earned a lot from the desire for performance and the fun of sport. But with the approaching end of the combustion engine, the impending speed limit and the change of heart of motorists, business for Abt, Alpina and Brabus is also changing.
Andreas Bovensiepen has a good laugh. Because performance is running and the Alpina boss has never sold as many cars as this year. Instead of the usual 1.500 to 1.700 vehicles, they will put over 2021 refined BMW models on the road for the first time in 2.000, says Bovensiepen with pleasure.
Meets customer needs
This success is based primarily on the new XB7 - a power version of the BMW X7, which scores with 621 hp and a top speed increased to 290 km / h and is an example of the refiner's concept. Because it used to be all about building the faster, more well-mannered and perhaps also more socially acceptable M models that are more at home on the autobahn than on the race track, Alpina is increasingly satisfying those customer requests that are now futile at BMW - because So far, the Munich-based company has not been able to come up with an M version of the X7. And since cars like the M550d or X5 50d no longer exist, Alpina has a unique selling proposition with its potent diesel, ventilated by four turbos, that brings Bovensiepen plenty of sales: “Customers keep asking us to remain loyal to the diesel , “Says the Alpina boss. It is quite possible that the general image of the diesel engine has suffered in recent years. But for the frequent and fast drivers at Alpina, it is still the first choice.
But the Alpina boss also knows that it may not go on like this forever. Because, of course, he is also dependent on the basic BMW engines, and on the goodwill of the EU, with which he, as a small-series manufacturer just like McLaren or Aston Martin, negotiated his own CO2 targets. "So, for better or worse, we will have to look at plug-in hybrids and later even electric cars if we want to have a future," he admits. Too bad that these technologies don't quite fit the brand values of the Allgäu people. "Because Alpinas are mainly bought by frequent drivers who drive at high speed on the autobahn." And both driving a lot and high speed are almost impossible with electric cars - at least if you want both at the same time.
No e-tuners
But politicians may at least soon relieve him of this problem: "If we should actually get a speed limit, at least the range problem will be defused and the electric drive will also be a little more interesting for us."
A few kilometers further to the southwest, Hans-Jürgen Abt is dealing with the same problems. There is no one among the tuners who has as much experience with e-mobility as the team from Kempten. After all, Abt is one of the founding members of Formula E, is also involved in the Extreme E off-road series and builds the electric versions of the Caddy and Transporter for VW. But in the tuning business they have so far left their hands on electric motors and batteries.
Alternatives to sporty driving
But the Abt boss also knows that the time for hot gasoline and diesel engines is finite and is registering a decline in interest in chassis modifications, wide tires and other trimmings. That is why the people of Allgäu are increasingly focusing on complete vehicles that do not live from their performance alone. “We turn the car into a total work of art and offer an experience that has more dimensions than just sporty driving,” says Abt. The RSR based on the Audi RS6 was such an example and you have now been encouraged by its success again on this basis the "Johann Abt Signature Edition" added.
They have not only increased the power to 800 hp, with a maximum torque of 1.000 Nm, they have reduced the sprint value to 2,9 seconds and increased the top speed to 330 km / h. The tuning also includes an exterior package with plenty of visible carbon for the sills and spoiler, as well as elegant leather upholstery in the interior. In addition, a piece of the anvil with which the Abt story began as a forge 125 years ago is emblazoned on the center console, cast in synthetic resin.
Brabus further ahead
Although the conversion alone costs 109.000 euros and the total vehicle is calculated at 260.000 euros in the end, the bill obviously works: As soon as the noble racing suit was presented, the 64 copies of the small series were already sold and in Kempten they have long been thinking about the next Gesamtkunstwerk according to.
One tuner who has already developed this business to perfection is Brabus. Because even if the PS legend from the Pott is of course also involved in the little ones and offers small items such as performance increases, exhaust systems or lowering for all Mercedes models from the A to the S class, the fame and fortune of the Bottrop giant are based on spectacular overall vehicles like the just presented G 900 in the Rocket Edition.
Lots of interior
In a show of strength no less than squaring the circle, they upgraded the weighty giant into a sports car. Under the bonnet is a V900 engine that has been bored out to 8 hp, which storms to 3,7 km / h in 100 seconds and bites into the rear of many flatter and lighter AMG models at 280 km / h. Inside there is more lacquer and leather than in a dominatrix's studio, and more carbon parts are stuck on the sheet metal than on an interceptor from the battle star Galaktika. Of course you can argue about good taste and you need a certain self-confidence in addition to the necessary play money to ride this rocket, which costs almost 600.000 euros. But at least one is sure of all looks on the Boulevard of Vanities.
The G 25, limited to 900 units, lives primarily from refinements that are independent of the car's drive system and therefore also have a future in the electric world. It is not for nothing that in addition to its own engine development and numerous test benches, Bottrop also has a hall in which Brabus bakes its own carbon bodies. Or a saddlery whose leather work is in no way inferior to that of Bentley or Rolls-Royce.
There has to be demand
Of course, they have long since adopted the first electric cars at Brabus: As an official Daimler partner, they refine the Smart and with the Startech offshoot, for example, they decorate the Model 3 from Tesla. But the control systems there are too complex and the demand is still too low for performance orgies such as V8 or V12 engines to be worthwhile, they admit in Bottrop.
You'd rather look back with love. Because while classic tuning is changing, Brabus has discovered the classics for itself and uses the expertise of its developers and mechanics to restore old Mercedes models. This is a business that should pick up with the transformation of the horsepower industry and the creeping departure from combustion engines for new cars. The past, according to the message from Bottrop, will be even more important in the future.
