Tuned Evoque wins sportscar award
SUVs were one of the nine categories in this year's awards, which were voted on by 77,218 Auto Bild readers.
The Range Rover Evoque from Moscow-based LARTE Design became the favourite tuning SUV.
A new, premium car-tuning company in its native Russia, LARTE Design say they combine eye-catching designs with high-end products sourced mainly from German OEM manufacturers.
LARTE describe the five-door Evoque SD4-based custom they presented at Essen as a "cool street racer." Bodywork changes include a new PU RIM body kit, combined with a honeycomb grille and massive air intakes in the front apron to create a sporty character.
External finish in distinctive black and red paint includes a two-tone bonnet treatment with what appears to be the Larte logo placed prominently, along with a blacked out upper grille and roof.
At the back, a rear apron made from PU RIM repeats the front bumper's design, also creating the appropriate backdrop for a redesigned exhaust system where the three pipes are grouped together at a central exit.
LARTE also tweaked the SD4 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine, increasing power from 140kW (190hp) to a full 162kW (220hp), while the maximum torque was also raised from 420 to 480 Nm.
Ride height has been dropped, shifting the Evoque's centre of gravity 30 millimetres closer to the road, which LARTE say improves both appearance and handling.
Rims are LARTE's own design 21-inch lightweight alloys, finished in gloss black.
In addition to "wilder" builds like this, LARTE also produce more subtle Range Rover Evoque creations to suit customer specifications.