Photos via Jeroen Willemsen

The American automotive aftermarket divides itself into two different genres of support, the racing industry represented by the PRI show and the accessory industry at the SEMA show. In Europe the two combine to create the Essen Motor Show, an enormous demonstration of performance vehicles and their accessory aftermarket.

The 2015 event at the Messe Essen in Essen, Germany housed 360,000 visitors and more than 550 exhibitors mixed together with display vehicles to create Europe’s largest auto fair. This 964 Porsche from RWB Europe gave attendees a taste of the performance car show found throughout the halls.

BS Carstyling brought this vibrant red Audi R8 equipped with an air suspension system built around a wide set of Rotiform CBU wheels.

3-piece Gotti wheels with color-matched faces occupied the widened fender arches of this completely restored Metallic Blue TA22 Toyota Celica.

On this MK2 Golf, an unreal static ride height utilizes custom H&R suspension to tuck centerlock BBS Motorsport wheels from Racingteam Hofmann beneath the spotless exterior.

From Dumped Europe, this 997 RSR project shows off a custom widened exterior, Cup-style wing, and Rotiform SLC wheels with gold faces and polished lips.

One of the most talked about cars of the event, this Golf R32 is a true wolf in sheep’s clothing. Replacing almost its entire R32 DNA, this base model clone with BBS E28 Magnesium wheels now receives power from a Spiess 2.0L 16v motor and Weber carburetors.

It may not have a lot of modifications, but this E46 3-series from Dapper executes stunning fitment on a wide set of RAD48 BR wheels by using a G.A.S. air suspension setup.

A 2.0L 16V engine with Jenvey individual throttle bodies powers another recipient of a ground up restoration, this Mk1 VW Scirocco.

The gold face Ronal Racing wheels complete the exterior with a classy yet motorsport themed design.

A solid light grey paint scheme makes this pristine E21 BMW seem reserved. Looking closer above the color-matched BBS RS wheels, the interior has been refinished with racing seats and harnesses.

A case of rare and even rarer, this B5 Audi RS4 Avant wears the limited Goodwood Green color. The Magnesium BBS Motorsport E88 wheels with gold faces are the perfect addition to the wide OEM body.

Accommodating an interesting wheel setup, this turbocharged and swapped MK1 Rabbit features BBS E50 wheels built in a “zerolip” setup so the wheel’s face protrudes from the lip/barrel of the wheel.

The 2.0L TFSI engine was sourced from a MKV GTI then upgraded with a larger turbocharger and KMS MP-25 ECU.

Built around the Rocket Bunny/Sarto Racing widebody kit, this E36 with H&R suspension and OZ Racing Challenge wheels exemplifies the performance and show combination of the event.

A small batch of vintage DTM racecars from Opel and Mercedes-Benz were corralled together for a spectacle of classic German motorsports.

The group at M&D Exclusive Car Design gave this BMW 650i a GT3 look by incorporating a Prior Design PD6XX widebody kit and Rennen Forged R55 wheels.

Hankook and Tune it! Safe! collaborated to transform a C7 Corvette into this faux Police car complete with blue emergency lights.

This would intimidate anyone if viewed in their rear view mirror…

Streetec Germany displayed a simple and shiny Audi A4 Avant equipped with HP Drivetech Air Suspension and 3-piece Rotiform DSC wheels.

Showing the raw nature of vintage race teams, this 935 Porsche from Porsche-Kremer packs large turbocharged horsepower numbers inside a stripped and widened 911 body.

Heath Garage from Finland built this stunning green Ford Model A powered by a 283ci Chevrolet engine.

A raw metal exterior shows the straight body of this 1927 Model T hotrod, also powered by a Chevrolet engine.

The mixture of Phoenix’s Power, Varis, and Zele exterior aerodynamic pieces aggressively alter the appearance of the “Boost Wars” R35 GT-R from JP Performance.

More German racing heritage was on display with Hans Stuck’s BMW M1 from the competitive Procar Championship series.

A few examples of new DTM racecars were also on display, including the BMW Bank #7 M4.

Expelling over 500hp from its larger turbo-equipped 2.5 TFSI engine, the Golf 500R from Oettinger is based on the production VW Golf R.

A set of six piston front brake calipers handles the added speed and brings the ATS Forged wheels to a stop.

An air suspension outfitted 1954 Beetle adorned refinished Porsche wheels to contrast its patina covered body.

AH Exclusive brought 3 examples of Audi cars lowered using H&R Suspension including an RS4 Avant, TT RS, and R8.

R-Performance Switzerland’s competition Time Attack Honda Integra was layered in composite materials and extravagant aerodynamic pieces differing it from majority of the cars in the event.

This bright orange Polo G40 donned BBS “zerolip” wheels and numerous chromed pieces on its engine.

Concluding our coverage is the production racecar from Porsche, the Cayman GT4 Clubsport. This model offers tons of safety options, like a rollbar and fire extinguisher, to make a day at the track much safer for the driver.

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