"Power Meets Emotion" was the theme of the 2003 Essen Motor Show, held in November in Germany. Not famous for emotional expression, Germans do, however, know a thing or three about making power. Nitto Tire flew us out to sample Teutonic machinery and force beer and bratwurst down our unwilling throats. Unlike in Bologna, the entire Essen show is dedicated to the aftermarket, for which Germany is famous the world over. Tuners with names like Brabus and Lorinser, which do very expensive things to very expensive cars, and expensive things to inexpensive cars, monopolize a large portion of the show.
Given the extremely strict German TUeV governmental regulation of aftermarket products, and the considerable cost of compliance, enthusiasts have fewer products from which to choose. A majority of products on display were "optical tuning" bits like wheels and body kits.