Brabus unveils 850-hp grocery getter

It wouldn't be the Essen Motor Show without German tuning house Brabus introducing its own versions of one or two of Mercedes-Benz cars, with borderline-unbelievable power figures. And this year the Bottrop-based outfit didn't disappoint, rolling out the Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo based on the 2014 E63 AMG station wagon. For starters, Brabus has increased the V8 engine's displacement from 5,461cc to 5,912cc, installing custom-made forged pistons and a precision balanced billet crankshaft, and replacing the stock turbos with ones of their own design featuring larger compressor units.

Volkswagen NCC concept

Volkswagen's New Compact Coupe (NCC) concept previews the next Jetta, but with two-doors rather than four. The car's front - minus the hybrid-style closed grille - pretty much represents the new face of the sixth-generation production Jetta due on sale this November, and its syling is informed by the latest Polo as well as some recent concepts from the German brand. Read our opinion of the NCC concept's design in our 2010 Detroit Auto Show Highlights, and see more photos of the showcar in the photo gallery below.

Volvo S60 Polestar Gothenburg debut

The Volvo S60 Polestar – a BMW M3 basher – is due to debut in Gothenburg on 16th June 2012 and could get as much as 500bhp. Yes, Volvo are busy downsizing their engines and trying to up the quality perception of their cars at the same time, in an aim to join the proper premium club inhabited by the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Jaguar. But that doesn’t mean Volvo should forsake performance in their cars, because even if performance models are not the bread and butter for premium car makers they are the golden halo that casts a premium gloss on lesser models.