Cars

I’s amazing what manufacturers or, perhaps more precisely, their overpaid marketing departments and advertising agencies, deem newsworthy these days. Hardly a day goes by without some spurious rubbish pinging its way into my inbox, and I must confess that most of the dross is sent to the virtual wastebasket with the most cursory of glances.

Matt Pollards Cracking DS3, a project of passion pushing out 210 BHP. DS3 Allegiance After catastrophic engine failure of his previous DS3 Matt Pollard decided to develop this awesome 210bhp DS3. Words: John Buchan. Photos: AJ Walker.

Gold! Much like Spandau Ballet, this Zender-tuned W201 190 epitomises one of the key colours of its era.

Generation game. Pick a little old-school influence, mix in a touch of the new way of doing things and finish off with some fresh thinking, that’s Muhab ‘Mo’ Shokat’s Mk2 Jetta. Words: David Kennedy Photos: Ade Brannan.

Smooth Operator. The Euro scene in Japan has one man to thank for its current direction: Junzo Shibatani. And his amazing Mk1 Scirocco demonstrates just why that is… Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Tony Matthews.

What began as a fun family-oriented project for Jeff De Lucia has morphed into a combination of track toy and promotional tool. Ladies and gentlemen, charge your glasses… Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Matt Petrie.

Orange Rush 322whp turbo 1602. With irresistible classic charm and turbo power, this gorgeous 1602 is practically perfect in every way. Words: Elizabeth de Latour Photos: Patrik Karlsson.

S54 E30 track beast Ferocious 3 Series. Tracking Device S54-swapped track E30. Dani Simmons’ E30 318iS has come a long way from the slightly frilly daily-driver he bought when he was 18. Years down the line, it’s now a track-focused superstar with E46 M3 power and pure race car DNA… Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Ade Brannan.

Mercedes W114 Turbo Diesel Stacked Merc Turbo 1970s Merc cool with 21st century Merc grunt is an arresting combination. Especially when it does 45mpg too. MERCEDES W115 TDI Six-pot Merc turbo diesel swap gives 70s cool with 21st century go. Words & Photography Blacktop Media.

490HP V8 E30 Supercharged sleeper. Completely standard on the outside and with nothing to give the game away, this supercharged V8-powered E30 Touring just might be the ultimate sleeper. Words: Elizabeth de Latour Photos: Matt Richardson.

Boost Mode 680whp turbo BMW M3 E46. Making a mighty 680whp from its turbocharged S54, this full-on E46 M3 is one hell of a performance machine. Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Peter Wu.

When it comes to the business of lying low and looking good, this E38 is at the top of the corporate food chain. Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Matt Richardson.