Skip advert
Advertisement

The wonders of Wörthersee

We learn about alternative car customising...

For us, modifying a car is usually done for specific dynamic reasons. The idea is that it should work better in the right circumstances, so it’s OK to move away from the original design compromise. Here in Wörthersee it’s done entirely for visual and aural effect and the deeply degraded driving experience is immaterial.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Sidewalls are stretched to their limits, air springs let bodies down onto bump stops. The engineering efforts of Dr Hackenberg and his counterparts are cast aside, and he must be appalled at what he sees. But what artistry takes the place of those efforts: here’s a Polo with a full-frame Audi grille, there’s an Audi A3 airbrushed to look as though it’s built out of riveted steel plates.

And what’s with these terminally rusty Golfs and Jettas? Actually, the Golf is not rusty at all, just artfully painted to look that way as an anti-custom-car statement. It’s known as the rat look. The Jetta, meanwhile, is genuinely paintless and rusting, and its seats are showing their bare foam innards.

Extra Info

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

How to rediscover the love for cars? Get out there and buy an affordable classic
Subaru Impreza RB5
Opinion

How to rediscover the love for cars? Get out there and buy an affordable classic

It took our Eras tests to top up Richard Meaden’s love for cars. It also stoked the urge to buy an S1 Elise
5 Jun 2026
Polestar 5 review – cheaper and faster than a Porsche Taycan but not quite as sharp
Polestar 5 front
Reviews

Polestar 5 review – cheaper and faster than a Porsche Taycan but not quite as sharp

Polestar’s flagship finally arrives, with a bespoke aluminium structure, electric powertrain and suspension. But will anyone actually buy it?
1 Jun 2026
The Audi Nuvolari is a 987bhp, carbon-bodied successor to the R8
Audi Nuvolari
News

The Audi Nuvolari is a 987bhp, carbon-bodied successor to the R8

The R8 recipe returns with a significantly higher level of performance – and price tag
4 Jun 2026