Category Archives: Tuning

Tuning

Talos XXT: The British Madmen Who Put the Ferrari 599 on Steroids (and a Number Plate)

You’ve got to love the British. In a world obsessed with electric whirring and software updates, there’s still a small band of engineers somewhere in the misty countryside who look at a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano — a car already more powerful than most small countries — and think, “Hmm, not enough.”

That small band is Talos Vehicles, a niche outfit whose latest creation, the Talos XXT, takes Ferrari’s front-engined V12 grand tourer and drags it screaming closer to the untamed 599 XX — the track-only monster that was never meant to see a speed bump, let alone a traffic light.

After two years of tinkering, hammering, and probably a few cups of Yorkshire tea, Talos has emerged with something extraordinary: a road-legal Frankenstein’s monster that blurs the line between Maranello’s civility and its lunacy. Only five examples will ever exist — each one as rare (and as terrifying) as an Italian opera sung by a chainsaw.

The Heart of the Beast

At its core lies Ferrari’s naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12, now coaxed to a delicious 680 horsepower and 624 Nm of torque. That’s a healthy bump of 60 horses over the standard GTB, and dangerously close to the 730 hp found in the 599 XX. The soundtrack? Imagine Pavarotti gargling molten metal while the world ends — and you’re somewhere close.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through your choice of a 6-speed automatic or — for those brave enough — a 6-speed manual gearbox. Yes, a manual. In a car with 680 horses. Talos clearly doesn’t believe in traction control for the soul.

Carbon, Anger, and Aerodynamics

The XXT wears a carbon-fibre suit that’s lighter, meaner, and angrier than the original Fiorano’s gentle curves. It squats low over reinforced 20-inch wheels, available with central locking nuts if you want to feel like a pit crew every Sunday morning.

And it’s not all show — the performance figures speak fluent nonsense: 0–100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 330 km/h. That’s not “fast for a Ferrari.” That’s “fast enough to bend space-time and make your face regret existing.”

Luxury? Depends on How You Define It

Inside, buyers can go wild with bespoke colour palettes and exotic materials, from Alcantara to carbon weave so sharp it could slice cheese. For left-hand-drive markets, Talos will even flip the steering wheel to the proper side — a rare courtesy in the world of British eccentricity.

All this, however, comes at a price. A very specific one: €1.1 million. Before you faint, consider this: you’re getting the closest thing to a 599 XX that won’t have you arrested on the way to Tesco.

A Love Letter to Madness

The Talos XXT isn’t just a car — it’s a love letter to excess. It’s a middle finger to restraint, a mechanical ode to what happens when passion outweighs reason. In an age when cars drive for you, the XXT reminds us there’s still joy in driving against everything else.

So here’s to Talos: the tiny British firm that looked at a Ferrari and thought, “Let’s make it a bit more mental.” And then did.

Source: Talos Vehicles

Tuning

Suzuki Jimny Gets a Toyota Makeover—Sort Of

Suzuki’s pint-sized adventurer, the Jimny, has always marched to the beat of its own drum. Despite Suzuki’s long-standing partnership with Toyota—which has spawned a handful of rebadged models—the little off-roader has remained proudly independent. Until now.

Enter ill Garage, a Japanese tuner with a mischievous sense of humor and an eye for design mashups. Their latest project, dubbed the CH:AMP conversion, takes the Jimny and gives it a front-end transplant inspired by Toyota’s utilitarian Hilux Champ pickup—also known as the Rangga, Stout, or Tamaraw, depending on the market. And if you squint just right, you might even catch a hint of Toyota’s new baby Land Cruiser FJ in the mix.

What’s in a Face?

Up front, the CH:AMP swaps out the Jimny’s familiar round-eyed stare for rectangular headlights, a chunky two-piece bumper, and a simple, boxy grille. The result looks equal parts rugged and retro—more budget Toyota than boutique Suzuki. Every element is finished in black to play nice with the contrasting roof and widened fenders of the demo car, which also sits slightly lower thanks to a set of 1.5-inch (38 mm) lowering springs.

Adding to the show-truck flair are dummy towing hooks, chunky all-terrain tires, and aftermarket wheels. It’s the kind of visual trickery that might make you look twice in a Tokyo parking lot—only to realize that, legally speaking, it’s not quite a Toyota. To make that crystal clear, the tuner stamped “CH:AMP” in big red letters across the grille. A tongue-in-cheek move, perhaps, but also a smart one to keep Toyota’s legal team at bay.

Retro Inside, Too

Inside, ill Garage offers a pair of retro seat cover options in Cognac Brown or Charcoal Black, mixing leather and braided inserts for an old-school vibe. Rear seatback pockets add a touch of practical charm—something any small SUV owner can appreciate.

Two (and a Half) Jimnys Walk into a Garage…

The CH:AMP treatment fits both the three-door Jimny Sierra and the stretched five-door Jimny Nomad, but the narrower kei-spec Jimny sold in Japan doesn’t make the cut. Customers can order individual parts à la carte or go all-in with a factory-style pre-converted Jimny, new or used, delivered straight from ill Garage.

How Much for the Fun?

Pricing starts at ¥360,800 ($2,300) for the base setup with halogen lights, or ¥386,100 ($2,500) if you want LEDs. Paint and installation are extra. From there, the options list reads like a candy shop for modders:

  • Lowering springs: ¥55,000 ($350)
  • Dummy towing hooks: ¥49,000 ($320)
  • Real towing hooks: ¥98,000 ($640)
  • Baja-style fog lights: ¥165,000 ($1,100)
  • Rugged rear bumper: ¥132,000 ($860)
  • Sport muffler: ¥66,000 ($430)
  • Seat covers: ¥85,800 ($560)

Add it all up and you’re still looking at less than the cost of a mild Wrangler option package—but with ten times the personality.

Not a Toyota Fan? No Problem.

If Toyota styling isn’t your flavor, ill Garage also offers a Ford Bronco–inspired Jimny conversion. Either way, it’s proof that the aftermarket hasn’t lost its sense of humor—or creativity.

The CH:AMP might not make your Jimny faster, but it definitely makes it harder to ignore. And in a world where individuality is often crushed by badge engineering, a face-swap like this feels refreshingly cheeky.

Source: ill Garage

Tuning

Mansory BMW M5 G90: Because Too Much Is Never Enough

If you thought the new BMW M5 G90 was already a heavyweight bruiser of the super-sedan world, Mansory has just stepped in to make sure you never call it “understated” again. The German tuner — famous (and occasionally infamous) for its carbon-fiber obsessions and unapologetic flair — has unveiled its take on BMW’s electrified M5, and as expected, subtlety wasn’t invited to the design brief.

The base car hardly needs an introduction. The latest M5, now a plug-in hybrid with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 paired to an electric motor, makes 737 horsepower and a tire-twisting 1,000 Nm of torque straight from the factory. It’s been called “too heavy” by critics, but those complaints tend to fade after a few laps or a launch-control sprint. In practice, the G90 is a monster in tailored German businesswear.

Mansory, however, decided that business casual wasn’t enough.

A Carbon-Fiber Feast

The tuner’s visual treatment isn’t its most unhinged work — there are no gold-plated vents or neon accents this time — but “restrained” is still a relative term. The M5’s front end now wears a new lower grille frame and a deep carbon-fiber splitter that amplifies its scowl. The hood has gained prominent carbon vents front and center, while the side profile picks up carbon mirror caps, side skirts, and detailing around the Hofmeister kink.

As for stance, Mansory drops in a set of 22-inch forged wheels that pack the arches just right, hinting at the power bump lurking beneath.

The Civic-Style Controversy

The most eyebrow-raising detail, however, sits at the back. Mansory ditched BMW’s traditional quad exhausts in favor of a triple-center exhaust setup, channeling major Honda Civic Type R vibes. It’s an odd look for a German luxury sedan, but it somehow works better than the awkward M Performance “stacked” exhausts seen on the M3 and M4. Love it or hate it, you’ll definitely notice it.

Interior Drama

Inside, Mansory goes full peacock. The cabin now mixes bright blue leather with black contrast panels, spreading across the seats and door cards. It’s bold, borderline brash — but for Mansory, it’s actually on the subtle end of the spectrum. Everything looks bespoke and lavish, just enough to remind you that you’re not sitting in any regular BMW press fleet car.

More Power, Naturally

Under the hood, the twin-turbo hybrid V8 gets a healthy power infusion. Output climbs from 737 to 850 horsepower, and torque swells to 1,150 Nm. It’s a bump that few will ever truly need, but everyone will absolutely want — because in Mansory’s world, there’s no such thing as enough power.

The Mansory M5 G90 won’t be for everyone — it’s a statement piece for the unapologetically bold. But there’s no denying it looks meaner, sounds angrier, and accelerates harder than ever. For those who think BMW’s latest M5 was too tame, Mansory’s creation is the caffeinated rebuttal: louder, faster, and proud of every carbon-clad inch.

Source: Mansory