More muscle for Conti

The majority of tuning work done here at home is applied mostly to entry-level hatchback and notchback cars, with a fair number of the middle-management executive cars such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Merc C-Class also enjoying after-market dazzling programmes.

In essence, this means there are a hundred and one workshops for pimping a Citi Golf, Toyota Tazz and Fiat Uno and a handful that will transform your typical premium German sedan.

Owners of exotica such as Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins have even fewer outlets for sprinkling extra fairy dust on their beasts.

While we have featured many European and US-based products in this corner, you'll be happy to know many of these high-end tuning companies have agents stationed right here at home, which any owner of a low-slung beast that needs quality attention can call upon.

Mansory has quite a reputation among the truly wealthy and its name is dropped at the most exclusive hangout joints, where the typical gearhead is an owner of more than one exotic car.

You don't bring a Ford Focus ST to the House of Mansory.

You drop off your Rolls-Royce Phantom, Maserati Quattroporte or your Conti GT, where they will introduce you totheir latest pimp programme, unveiled as fresh as a month back.

For Bentley, there's a two-pronged approach, designed for both the new Continental GT and GTC.

In keeping with customary trends insisted upon by its affluent customers, this new styling project is christened the Le Mansory II.

Featuring a number of departures from standard Bentley styling cues, Le Mansory II features a wide-body constructed from pure carbon fibre.

The bloated front fenders and rear-quarter panels allow the vehicle's track to be widened by 50mm at the front axle and 60mm at the rear, leaving it standing squat and rich.

Other exterior decor includes a redesigned front bumper fascia spiced with Mansory's in-house daytime driving lights and more pronounced side sills.

Carbon fibre is the dominant material on this project and both the unique vented bonnet and boot lid spoiler are fashioned from this new age material, which is very light, yet also extremely rigid.

The rear bumper fascia is accented by quad exhaust tail pipes, stacked elliptically, while an encased carbon fibre diffuser adds the finishing touches to a fuss-free, classically modern rear.

One of the few hints to spot a Mansory car at your nearest Michelangelo Hotel terrace is one-piece 10-spoke 22-inch ultra light forged wheels.

Mansory designs its own alloy sets and these have become the signature piece de resistance that players at this level can spot during the briefest of glances.

Power, something no Bentley never lacked, is improved by Mansory on the 6.0-litre W12 engine, with sports exhaust system, sports air filter and optimised engine management to boost output to 494kW at 6000rpm.

Torque is also raised to 780Nm at 1700rpm. Le Mansory is claimed to accelerate to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and run out of steam at 322km/h.

A customised interior, featuring aluminium pedals, bespoke pure leather upholstery and custom fashioned embroidery greets the owner.