Let’s explore the very best in the business of performance cars. We’re talking about the factory folks who take your already-beloved rides and turn them into absolute beasts. Without further ado, here are the OEM Performance Legends!
1 M Division – the performance house that BMW built. When you think of BMW, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Luxury? Refinement? Yeah, yeah, we all know those things are nice, but let’s be real – it’s the M Division that makes BMWs truly special. These guys are responsible for the likes of the M1 supercar and the iconic M3. They’ve been at it for a while now, and they only seem to be getting better with time.
2 Mercedes-AMG – the performance house that Mercedes-Benz bought. Now, here’s a little history lesson for you. Back in the day, Mercedes-Benz was just making run-of-the-mill luxury cars like any other boring automaker. But then they saw what those M Division guys over at BMW were doing and they thought, “Hey, we can do that too!” And so, they went ahead and bought themselves an independent tuning house called AMG. The rest is history – these days, AMG-tuned Mercs are some of the most sought-after rides on the planet.
3 Mugen Motorsports – The Wizards from the Temple of VTEC. Ah, Honda – the company that’s always been just a little bit quirky. But you know what? We love ‘em for it. And when it comes to motorsports, these guys really know what they’re doing. That’s where Mugen Motorsports comes in – they’re the wizards from the Temple of VTEC. Despite being a separate entity from Honda itself, these guys are responsible for some of the most badass touring cars on the planet. And if you’re looking for some aftermarket parts to soup up your Honda, Mugen’s got you covered.
4 Audi Sport – Purveyors of Quattro. This German powerhouse has been owned by Audi since ’83 and they’ve been churning out high-performance Audis ever since. We’re talking about the legendary Group B, the ur Quattro, the RS2, RS4, and so much more. They’ve matured into one of the biggest names in the industry, and it’s not hard to see why.
5 Next up, we’ve got Nismo – the clue is in the name; Nissan Motorsport. They’ve been tuning and tweaking Nissan’s best cars since ’84, and they’re still at the top of their game. Whether it’s the GT-R, the 370Z, or even the Juke, Nismo knows how to make them faster and better. They dominate in everything from Le Mans to Super GT, and you can even get your Micra stickered up by them.
6 Moving on, we’ve got TRD – Toyota Racing Developments. Actually no, now it’s Gazoo Racing, isn’t it? They’ve been around since ’54, and they’re the in-house tuning arm for all of Toyota, including Daihatsu, Lexus (now F-Sport), and Scion (now defunct) cars. They’re big in America, where they tune up the Tacoma and Thundra trucks, but they also go racing in Formula 3 and Super GT in Japan, and NASCAR and NHRA drag racing in America. They’re a global force to be reckoned with.
7 Now, let’s talk about Ford Performance. And it is exactly what it says on the blue tin. Henry Ford was a man who loved racing, and that spirit has infused the company ever since. They’ve set world records and won at Le Mans with their iconic GT40s. They’re responsible for tuning up the Fiesta (ST) and Focus (ST/RS), as well as the Mustang and the latest GT supercar. They’re a true American legend.
8 The French Connection is up next with RenaultSport. These guys have some serious pedigree, thanks to their success in Formula One. They’ve translated that success into some of the finest driver’s cars ever made, and they’re a force to be reckoned with on the Nurburgring.
9 MOPAR is up next, and they’re the ones who give Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, and even Fiat products their heat. They used to be synonymous with musclecars and superchargers, but they’ve had to extend their services to mild-mannered Euro hatchbacks too. But don’t worry, they’ve still got plenty of muscle under the hood.
10 Last but not least, we’ve got Abarth – the original legendary tuner of Fiat products. Carlo Abarth founded the company in ’49, and they’ve been making race cars for the road ever since. They’re now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fiat, and they turn plucky Italian cars into fire-breathing monsters. They’ve got character, noise, and that black scorpion on a yellow and red shield is one of the coolest logos in the business.