Renault Wind Tuned by Elia coming to Essen Motor Show

After SEMA and more recently the ongoing LA Auto Show, next up on our motor show calendar is Europe's largest tuning event that takes place n the city of Essen, Germany from November 27 to December 5. Speeding to this year's Essen show is a new tuning proposal for the freshly launched Renault Wind by Elia.

The German tuning house said the package for the Twingo-based roadster model will include some subtle aero parts along with LED daytime running lights and 18 inch alloy wheels shod in 205/35 tires up front and beefier 235/30 tires at the back. Though it would make the package more desirable, unfortunately, the lady with the hot shorts and high-heel pumps is not part of Elia's offerings.

Performance upgrades will come in the form of a sport suspension and an ECU tune that promises to add 16HP and 28Nm of torque, though Elia didn't clarify if the software tune is for the 100HP 1.2-liter Turbo or the 133HP 1.6-liter engine.

We'll have more details on the tune from the Essen Show next week.

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Kelleners Sport Spices Up the F10 BMW 535i

Fans of the BMW 5-Series were a little disappointed with the new F10, as it shed some of its sportier genes in favor of a more luxurious character. Kelleners Sport intends to change this, by offering a host of exterior and interior appointments, plus performance upgrades for the 535i. It will debut at this month's Essen Motor Show.

The German tuner developed a complete aerodynamics package, designed to make the car more "athletic" - or so they claim. At the front, there's a new bumper, with integrated (and ever so popular) LED daytime running lights and oversized air intakes. Aggressive front spoiler lips widen the car, as do the beefy side skirts.

The rear end of the modified 535i boasts a boot lid spoiler and a redesigned bumper incorporating a diffuser. Kelleners also added a four-pipe stainless steel exhaust system.

A choice of 19- or 20-inch lightweight wheels, codenamed "Hamburg" and "Berlin", replace the standard alloys. The new rims are shod in 255/35 front and 285/30 rear high performance tires and come in different finishes, such as Matte Black, Polished Graphite Silver or Polished Platinum Silver.

Under the hood, the 306 hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six was fitted with the KS Power35 module, boosting peak output to 367 hp and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque. No performance figures were released. Kelleners also mentions the lowered (-30 mm) sports suspension, which, it claims, improves handling.

Interior appointments were kept to a minimal and consist of personalized floor mats and aluminum pedals, both available as standalone options.

By Csaba Daradics

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Heico Sportiv Tricks Out the All-New Volvo V60

Come later this month at the Essen Motor Show (26th November - 5th December 2010) in Germany, Volvo tuning specialist Heico Sportive will unveil its performance and styling bits for the Swedish automaker's all-new V60. The tuning program for the station wagon model carries the same upgrades as the S60 sedan.

On the styling side, the German tuning firm mounts a front spoiler on the original front bumper and a rear skirt with a diffuser that also houses the new tailpipes of the quad outlet exhaust. The menu also contains sport springs that lower the ride height and a choice of 18- or 20-inch multispoke alloy wheels.

Under the hood, there are various options, depending on the type of engine. For now, Heico Sportive offers a power kit for the 2.0 turbocharged gasoline unit, which adds an extra 47bhp and 50Nm of torque, and another one for the T6 engine that boost output to 330bhp and 460Nm. The tuning house said that further programs for the T3, T4 and T5 engine variants are under development.

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