Category Archives: Tuning

Tuning

ABT Turns Up the Heat on Audi’s SQ5: More Power, Sharper Looks, Same Daily Usability

Audi’s second-generation Q5 arrived earlier this year with a sleeker design, a richer tech suite, and a familiar focus on comfort and refinement. But for those hoping Ingolstadt might finally unleash a full-fat RS Q5, the wait continues. The SQ5 remains the range’s performance flagship—at least until the tuners step in.

Enter ABT Sportsline, the German outfit that has made a business out of pushing Audi performance into uncharted territory. Their latest project takes the SQ5 and gives it the muscle, stance, and attitude Audi itself never quite dared to deliver.

Understated Muscle, ABT Style

ABT’s recipe starts with subtle aggression. A new aero package brings a front splitter, a body-colored rear diffuser, and a chunkier roof spoiler that somehow manage to amplify the SUV’s presence without shouting about it. The look is factory-smooth, but it clearly means business.

The finishing touch? 22-inch ABT Evo wheels, finished in gloss black and filling the arches to perfection. For those who prefer a touch less drama, 20-inch multi-spoke Sport GR wheels are also available, finished in the same dark hue.

At the rear, four matte-black, stainless-steel exhaust tips—each with a 10-centimeter diameter—underline the car’s new-found intent. They look the part and, if past ABT creations are anything to go by, sound it too.

Power Boost: The SQ5 That Audi Didn’t Build

The heart of this transformation lies under the hood. ABT’s Power S performance module coaxes the turbocharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 to produce 440 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque—healthy bumps over the stock 354 hp and 500 Nm.

That’s essentially S5 Avant power levels, which isn’t surprising since the two share the same engine. ABT also fits lowered springs that drop the ride height by up to 45 millimeters, giving the SQ5 a lower, more planted stance and, reportedly, a sharper response through corners. The result? An SUV that finally feels as sporty as its badge promises.

Interior Tweaks, Minimal but Meaningful

Inside, ABT has wisely kept things restrained. Bespoke door trims and illuminated ABT logos in the front doors provide just enough differentiation to make the cabin feel special without disrupting Audi’s clean, tech-forward design language.

Available for Both SQ5 Styles

For now, ABT’s package is officially shown on the standard SQ5, though the same upgrades—minus the rear spoiler—fit the sleeker SQ5 Sportback as well. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced, but prospective buyers can contact ABT directly for details.

In typical ABT fashion, the SQ5 transformation doesn’t rewrite the SUV’s DNA—it refines it. The result is a machine that combines Audi’s signature refinement with the kind of dynamic edge and presence that enthusiasts have long been craving.

Until Audi decides to build a true RS Q5, ABT’s take might just be the next best thing.

Source: ABT Sportsline

Tuning

Fox Factory’s Jeep Wrangler Commando Salutes Veterans with Supercharged Style

This Veterans Day, Fox Factory Vehicles isn’t just saying “thank you for your service”—they’re handing out keys. The company best known for its off-road suspension systems has unveiled the Jeep Wrangler Commando, a turn-key trail machine based on the Rubicon 392, built exclusively for veterans and active-duty military personnel.

A Wrangler with a Mission

Fox Factory’s Commando starts with the Wrangler Rubicon 392—already the rowdiest, V8-powered Wrangler you can buy—and cranks the rugged meter to 11. From the outside, the Commando looks like a proper salute to military heritage: the body and high-top fenders are finished in ’41 Green, a color nodding to the original World War II–era Willys Jeep. Steel bumpers, tubular doors, and a grille guard give it that battlefield bravado, while a Bimini top and Commando hood decals add some flair to the functionality.

For those who plan to get seriously stuck (and let’s face it, someone will), Fox offers a 12,000-pound Warn winch for $3,395—because no one likes waiting for recovery duty.

Built Fox Tough

Fox’s own hardware is front and center, as expected. The Commando rides on a 3.5-inch JKS lift kit paired with Fox 3.0 internal bypass shocks featuring remote reservoirs. A Fox ATS steering stabilizer keeps the front end tight, while 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels wearing 37-inch Nitto Ridge Grapplers provide the kind of ground clearance that makes small boulders look like speed bumps.

This setup isn’t just cosmetic; it’s purpose-built for real off-road use. Expect smoother damping over whoops and ruts, better body control at speed, and enough articulation to make a mountain goat jealous.

Inside the Lines

Open those tubular doors, and you’re greeted with a surprisingly refined interior. Tan leather seats embroidered with Commando logos strike a balance between luxury and legacy, while a dash-mounted accessory rail gives space for trail gadgets—GPS units, cameras, or that all-important GoPro.

A digital rearview mirror modernizes the view out back, which you’ll need since the spare tire has been relocated to the cargo area. (Yes, it eats into your gear space, but it also improves rear visibility and weight balance.)

The Heart of the Beast

Under the hood sits the familiar 6.4-liter Hemi V8, producing 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and full-time four-wheel drive. It’s the same brawny setup that makes the Rubicon 392 such a joyously excessive machine.

But if that’s somehow not enough grunt, Fox will gladly install a Whipple supercharger for an additional $11,495, boosting output to 705 hp and 655 lb-ft of torque. Pair that with the optional Magnaflow exhaust ($3,395), and the Commando’s bark will match its bite—loudly.

Exclusivity, with a Purpose

The Commando is limited to just 250 units, and there’s a catch: it’s available only to veterans and active-duty personnel, who must apply and share their story for consideration. Pricing starts at $69,995, though Fox hasn’t confirmed whether that’s before or after the cost of the base Rubicon 392 itself. Either way, it’s a collector’s piece with real meaning—a rolling tribute to those who’ve served, built by a company that knows how to engineer respect into metal.

Final Thoughts

The Jeep Wrangler Commando isn’t just another special edition—it’s a blend of heritage, horsepower, and honor. It’s the kind of build that looks just as comfortable rolling through Moab as it does in a Veterans Day parade.

In a market full of “appearance packages,” Fox Factory’s Commando feels refreshingly authentic. It’s not a sticker job—it’s a purpose-built off-roader with real hardware, real power, and real gratitude behind it.

If you’re one of the few eligible to get one, consider it both a badge of honor and a ticket to the wild.

Source: Fox Factory

Tuning

Honda S2000 BP25: Bulletproof Automotive’s Jaw-Dropping Tribute to a Legend

It’s hard to believe that the Honda S2000 first leapt onto our roads more than twenty-five years ago. Yet here we are, decades later, and the little Japanese roadster still occupies a sacred place in every petrolhead’s heart—a car that sparks dreams, tuning projects, and obsessive scrolls through classifieds. Few machines from that golden era have aged with such dignity, and even fewer inspire the level of devotion we see today. Enter the BP25 from Bulletproof Automotive, a project that takes the S2000 and transforms it into something truly, painfully desirable.

This is not just a modified S2000. This is a rolling testament to everything enthusiasts love about Japanese engineering: precision, high-rev thrills, and a little bit of madness. Conceived as a celebration of Bulletproof Automotive’s 25th anniversary, the BP25 combines the best of respected Japanese tuning houses with the latest high-performance wizardry, culminating in a car that stole the spotlight at SEMA.

Looks that demand attention

The BP25 immediately announces itself as a Spoon-inspired hardtop coupe—a dramatic shift from the classic soft-top roadster silhouette. It wears a Varis Dark Panther carbon fiber bodykit, complete with reworked bumpers, flared fenders, aggressive intakes, and a rear wing so substantial it could double as a small aircraft stabilizer. Lamborghini Balloon White paint, gold graphics, exposed carbon fiber, and subtle red accents make the styling pop, while racing-style carbon-magnesium mirrors and custom LED taillights complete the picture.

Even the wheels are a statement. 19-inch BP-RW Evolution forged rims, inspired by traditional Japanese hammered metal techniques, shroud massive Brembo Pista brakes behind their high-grip rubber. The stance, aided by a Top Secret coilover setup and a cocktail of parts from J’s Racing, Roberuta, Spoon, EVS, and Hardrace, is sharp enough to slice through asphalt just by looking at it.

Heart of a beast

The engine bay is where dreams collide with reality. Bulletproof has taken the original 2.0-liter four-cylinder and paired it with a Vortech supercharger, producing a staggering 588 hp at 9,300 rpm and a redline stretching to 10,000 rpm. That’s right: ten thousand. Power flows through a reinforced six-speed manual and limited-slip differential, with a titanium Amuse exhaust manifold feeding a 70mm Euro dual exhaust system that sounds as feral as it looks.

Inside the cockpit

Step inside, and the BP25 proves it’s not just about straight-line terror. A Mugen steering wheel, Recaro RS-G racing seats with harnesses, ARC titanium shifter, and a horn button borrowed from the legendary NSX-R give the cabin a purposeful, track-ready feel. Alcantara upholstery with red stitching and a roll bar remind you that this is a car meant to be driven hard, not just admired in a garage.

A fitting tribute

Ben Schaffer, founder of Bulletproof Automotive, calls the BP25 “a tribute to the spirit that first defined the S2000.” And he’s not wrong. Every detail—from the carbon fiber accents to the screaming high-rev engine—honours the original’s DNA while injecting enough modern flair to make even seasoned enthusiasts gape.

In a world obsessed with SUVs and EVs, the BP25 is a reminder of what driving should feel like: visceral, exhilarating, and just a touch ridiculous. If the original S2000 was a mischievous grin, the BP25 is a full-blown roar. And somehow, even after twenty-five years, the dream isn’t over—it’s just gotten louder.

Source: Bulletproof Automotive