Flipped-Out Range Rover

Movie stars and world-class athletes can afford to drive any vehicle(s) they want. So it's interesting to see what they choose, given that price isn't usually one of their criteria. Tennis star Mark Philippoussis can afford as many Ferraris and Bentleys as he fancies, but opted instead for this no-holds-barred Range Rover 4.6 HSE. And seeking something "a bit more" than stock, he turned his new HSE over to Becker Automotive Design, whose client list includes a singer named Barbra and a golfer called Tiger.

No area of this Range Rover was left untouched. For more punch from the somewhat sluggish 4.6, on went a Cameron Concepts supercharger system and a stainless steel, cat-back exhaust system. With something like 350 horsepower, it's now as quick as one of "Flip's" power-serves. Colorado Custom 18-inch alloy wheels are wrapped by top-of-the-line Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires (285/55HR18s); cross-drilled rotors, carbon metallic brake pads, and stainless-steel brake lines complete the performance package.

The HSE's interior was stripped virtually bare, and nearly everything you can see or touch was redesigned. What isn't covered with superb Garrett leather is wrapped in a rich suede or blanketed by the same wool carpeting used in Bentleys. The wood trim was refinished with an aluminized paint material. Becker's strongest suit is the conception, engineering, and installation of top-of-the-market entertainment systems. We don't have enough space to list it all: Sony provides the 10-disc CD changer, 7-inch LCD video screens, DVD, Play Station, and a control unit that alone runs $8000. Don't forget the Phillips Carin nav system, Nokia phones, fax machine, VCR, multimode seat massagers built into the front buckets, and enough woofers, tweeters, crossovers, and amplifiers to allow one to address the crowd at Dodger Stadium.

Given the home theater treatment inside, the exterior makeover is subtle: a custom-fabbed hood, a bit of body-color paint, tinted windows, and a few solid-billet pieces fashioned after the owner's personal logo (you mean you don't have one?). For all the hardware packed onto and into this rig, the result is amazingly tasteful, and a ball to drive. It goes, it handles, entertains each and every occupant, and everything you touch feels wonderful. How much for all this power, exclusivity, and entertainment value? Let's just say it's on the strong side of $100,000-plus the cost of the Range Rover.

Source:Becker Automotive Design888/BADKARSwww.beckerautodesign.com

Now We're CruisingEvery once in a while, an engine swap comes along that makes so much sense, you wonder why it wasn't built that way. Such is the case with TLC's Chevy V-8-into-Toyota FJ55, 60, or 62 Land Cruiser package. Interestingly enough, Toyota's inline six was based on an old Chevy design to begin with. It's both smooth and robust, but can't match the power and torque offered by a modern American V-8. These older full-size Cruisers have always been popular, but have attained near-cult status as the market for larger, four-door sport/utilities has grown. And while this photo shows an FJ55 with a carbureted, previous-generation small-block V-8, the hot ticket is TLC's new LS1-Vortec swap. The package looks stock, and retains as much of the factory GM hardware as possible. TLC even mates the electronics successfully, from the port fuel injection right down to the engine light.

Needless to say, with the 5300's 255-285 horsepower on tap, as opposed to the stocker's 125-155 horsepower (depending upon model), performance takes a huge leap forward. The six always had adequate low-end grunt for rock crawling, but the V-8 should really appeal to those seeking more freeway driveability and towing power. It's not cheap, given the cost of the LS1 hardware, trans, and electronics-but the result is comprehensive, and first rate.

Source: TLC800/579-9776www.tlc4x4.com