I’ll save any good introductions and simply say this: I’ve by no means skilled a automobile present fairly like XS CarNight earlier than.
A fast browse of their Instagram and also you may suppose that XS is a refined affair, what with minimalistic publish layouts and a few pretty elegant images. You may also assume that being held in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, all you’d see is a variety of VW Golfs. I actually didn’t know what to anticipate moving into, however inside seconds of assembly XS head honcho Andy Füllborn, it grew to become fairly clear that the night time was going to be simply as a lot a celebration because it was a automobile present.
In fact, XS CarNight Wörthersee was a battery of the senses at first. This was a busy present. Simply after opening there was a swarm of individuals in and round each automobile. Talking of which, Saj and I have been virtually drowning in a sea of metallic, all of it valuable.
We determined fairly rapidly that we’d want to separate as much as cowl the entire occasion, and even then it was a battle. Beginning open air between the 5 present halls, the standard was already evident.
Being the wheel addict that I’m, there have been a trio of vehicles outdoors that grabbed me from the get go. A Volvo 480ES is a uncommon sight at the most effective of instances, however one laid out on a set of custom-converted Centra Area rims? Positively distinctive. Added model factors for being the one Volvo ever produced with pop-up headlamps too.
The theme of {custom} OEM break up rims continued with this VW Corrado on a set designed to resemble the manufacturing facility G60 wheels, albeit with extra concave than a moon crater on the rear.
Essentially the most intricate set of break up rims I’ve seen graced this Audi S6 Avant. I could also be an old-fashioned man in terms of automobile modifications – particularly wheels – however these have been simply chic.
Saj had his eye on a pair of very tidy Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTIs on timeless units of BBS wheels – RS fashions for the silver automobile and LMs for the pink one.
In the meantime, hidden around the facet was a surprising inexperienced BMW E28 520i. Inexperienced paint, inexperienced inside, wood steering wheel and copper accents on the BBS RS wheels – what an aesthetic machine.
It was a lot the identical indoors. Each corridor we entered appeared to be filled with a few of the tidiest examples of automobile fashions we’ve come throughout.
I by no means dreamed I’d see a stanced Mercedes 280 SL ‘Pagoda’, so I couldn’t get sufficient of this factor. Excessive on my record of essentially the most stunning vehicles ever designed, look how slender the 280’s belt line is; so smooth and slender. Unimaginable.
It might hardly be extra juxtaposed by the murdered-out Subaru Impreza WRX STI throughout the doorway from it. I’m an Evo man by way of and thru, however it appeared so bullish in gleaming black that I needed to give it a second look.
Talking of Evos, in Corridor 1 was the Subaru’s bitter rival: A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII, quite appropriately in all white. I’ll be sincere, between the 2, the Subaru could have simply had the sting in my e book. Which would you select?
Or how about some rear-wheel drive, rotary-powered JDM flavour? This black FD3S Mazda RX-7 appeared unbelievable on three-spoke Work Equip Voggards.
Title sponsor Opel introduced out a choice of superb racing machines from totally different eras. The DTM Astra was achingly cool with its bubble-shaped roof, loopy arches and ATS race wheels, however it couldn’t maintain a candle to its forebear; the Opel Omega EVO 500 DTM.
To not be confused with the Lotus Carlton right here within the UK (as I’ll have been), the EVO 500’s popularity is known for being flung round German race tracks towards the a lot smaller BMW E30 M3 and Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth Evo. It is a tank of a automobile, most recognisable in its heyday ATS or Jägermeister race liveries. How cool are these adjustable wing stays? A chief case of perform over kind.
Corridor one itself was a sight to behold, with an enormous set up in the midst of the room, suspending enormous digital screens within the air for all to see. Not solely have been the screens taking part in automobile content material on repeat, however with techno music blasting all through your complete occasion, the temper was definitely that of a automobile celebration. The DJ could also be relieved to listen to that his efforts paid off.
Within the nook of Corridor 1 was an E38 that I’ve been following on Instagram for a very long time now. Being an E38 proprietor myself, I not often get excited by them any extra, however one as clear as this was too good to overlook.
Saj was additionally in a position to reside out his S-chassis goals vicariously by way of this traditional S15 Nissan Silvia Spec-R on Work Meister wheels combo.
Retro VW styling was surprisingly prevalent within the halls, with some notable examples representing the most effective tendencies of the previous three a long time. A pair of Mk2 Golfs greatest represented the switching of the guard from wild, ’90s colors and modifications to the mid-to-late-2000s strategy of smoothing completely all of the issues.
Having the gasoline filler hidden behind the taillight was ridiculously good, however there was one thing in regards to the brazen color scheme of the Rallye headlight automobile that had an actual attraction to it.
There is just one automobile that would take the crown of the present for me and that was this absolute animal of a Mercedes-Benz – the W126 Koenig Specials SEC. The phrase ‘by no means meet your heroes’ is utter nonsense on this case, and I’d been ready for the prospect to see one for years. Obnoxiously giant, questionably tasteful but sitting on road-roller-esque BBS RS wheels, oh so trendy. It was every part I’d hoped it might be in particular person and extra.
And if we’re discussing model, I don’t know what they’ve been consuming, however some folks appear to have began becoming BBS Motorsport wheels to completely inappropriate luxurious vehicles.
Would madame quite the SEC on BBS E50s or the Audi A8 on 20-inch BBS E19s? Sure you’re proper, the climate is nice, take the Audi because it’s on Toyo Proxes R888Rs! This pair have been completely ridiculous and I love them.
And therein lies the great thing about XS CarNight – not less than in my view. Sure, the ambiance was nice, the music was loud and the beer flowed. All of that’s good, however with out an open thoughts none of it might imply something.
XS CarNight Wörthersee is a complete mix of courses and types. In what world do you see a stanced Mercedes Pagoda subsequent to a track-ready WRX STI, throughout from a Porsche 911 GT3 RS 991.5? On this planet that Andy has managed to domesticate, which attracts spectators from everywhere in the globe.
It additionally attracts exhibitors from throughout Europe and past. Seeing the vehicles all dashing to go away at the hours of darkness was an unimaginable sight. The one factor I may even examine it to is a Want for Velocity on-line foyer; that’s how diverse the vehicles have been. Swiss, German, British, Austrian, Polish – the record of licence plates simply went on and on.
It could have been exhausting, however it’s an expertise I’ll always remember. XS CarNight is one hell of a present, and should you ever have the prospect to go to at least one, take it.
We’ve extra on the way in which from this occasion, however within the meantime there’s a enormous gallery so that you can take a look at under.
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn
Further Photographs by Saj Selva
Instagram: sajselva
