CHAPTER 01 · THE DAILY BUILD
Mercedes-Benz GLA 180 X156
A cinematic OEM+ dossier of Bernard Yap’s Mercedes-Benz GLA 180 X156 — now evolved with a 2.0-litre turbo conversion, larger intercooler and Stage 2 calibration, while retaining daily-road usability.
MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 180 X156
BUILD PHILOSOPHY
Sharper without losing daily usability.
The GLA is a disciplined fast-road build rather than a headline-only horsepower project. Its current configuration combines a 2.0-litre turbo conversion, larger intercooler, Stage 2 ECU retune and TCU tune with Bilstein / Vogtland suspension, stronger braking and a road-friendly 235/45R18 tyre package. The downpipe remains stock, preserving real daily usability.
BUILD EVOLUTION
FROM FACTORY BASELINE TO CURRENT STAGE 2
Every upgrade has a job — not just a label.
Select a phase to see how the build moved from visual and chassis foundations into the current 2.0T / Stage 2 configuration. Dates are omitted where no verified installation record exists.
FOUNDATIONFactory baseline
The original platform established the daily-use baseline before chassis, braking and powertrain changes were layered in.
PROJECTED PERFORMANCE MAPPING
STOCK VS MODIFIED
A realistic estimate, not a dyno claim.
The projection keeps the factory M270 1.6-litre baseline, then models the current street setup with a 2.0-litre turbo conversion, larger intercooler, Stage 2 ECU retune, TCU calibration and a stock downpipe. Because the downpipe remains stock, the estimate is intentionally conservative rather than inflated.
122 PS factory rating converted to approximately 120 brake horsepower.
Working midpoint. Expected range: 235–255 bhp and 360–390 Nm for the present 2.0T / Stage 2 / stock-downpipe setup.
Approximately +104% power and +90% torque versus the factory reference.
The graph is an engineering-style illustration, not a measured dyno sheet. Actual output depends on fuel quality, ambient temperature, engine health, boost targets, transmission protection limits and the final ECU file. A proper chassis-dyno run is required before presenting any figure as verified.
PANAMERA 4
Performance mapping locked pending exact engine confirmation.
The current artwork contains conflicting 970.2 / 971 and output references. To avoid publishing a false BHP or torque figure, the Panamera comparison will be activated only after its model year, engine and actual installed modifications are confirmed.
CONTROL LAYER
Stage 2 ECU retune, TCU tune and DTE PedalBox
The ECU has now been retuned to a Stage 2 calibration to suit the current 2.0-litre turbo and larger intercooler setup. The TCU tune supports the new torque delivery with more decisive shift behaviour. The DTE PedalBox changes accelerator sensitivity only; it sharpens response feel but is not counted as engine power.
- Stage 2 ECU calibration — tuner brand not recorded
- TCU transmission calibration — sharper shift strategy
- DTE Systems PedalBox — accelerator response controller
TURBO CONFIGURATION
Current 2.0-litre turbo conversion for higher airflow headroom
The car now runs a 2.0-litre turbo conversion instead of the earlier smaller factory arrangement. This creates more airflow headroom and lets the Stage 2 calibration carry stronger torque through the mid-range and upper rev band. The exact donor part code remains unspecified.
- Current: 2.0-litre turbo conversion
- Higher airflow and stronger mid-range than the original smaller setup
- Projected output remains an estimate until dyno verification
INTAKE PATH
Performance cone intake, aluminium pipe and ported throttle body
The intake route uses a performance cone filter and aluminium intake pipe to reduce restriction before the compressor. The throttle body has been ported and polished to smooth the transition into the intake manifold. The practical target is quicker response and steadier airflow, not a standalone peak-power claim.
- Performance cone air filter
- Aluminium intake pipe
- Ported and polished throttle body
BOOST & THERMAL CONTROL
Larger intercooler, DV+, turbo muffler delete and alloy charge pipes
The diverter and blow-off hardware manage pressure when the throttle closes. The turbo muffler delete removes the factory resonator section, while aluminium charge and boost pipes replace more compliant factory plumbing. The larger intercooler is the main thermal upgrade, reducing charge-air heat soak during repeated acceleration in Singapore conditions.
- DV+ upgraded diverter valve and separate BOV
- Turbo muffler delete
- Larger front-mounted intercooler
- Aluminium charge and boost pipes
- Heat-reflective wrap and turbo heat management recorded in the build
EXHAUST SYSTEM
Stock downpipe with upgraded centre and rear straight-through system
The downpipe remains stock, so the front section still prioritises OEM packaging and noise control. The centre and rear sections have been changed for lower restriction and a deeper exhaust note, keeping the build usable on the road while helping the Stage 2 setup breathe more freely after the factory downpipe.
- Stock downpipe
- High-flow / straight-through centre pipe
- High-flow / straight-through rear section
- Quad exhaust outlets
SUSPENSION
Bilstein B6 dampers with Vogtland lowering springs
Bilstein B6 dampers provide firmer body control without turning the car into a track-only setup. Vogtland springs reduce ride height and lower the visual centre of gravity. Together they reduce pitch and roll, improve transient control and create the stance seen in the real photographs.
- Bilstein B6 dampers
- Vogtland lowering springs
- Older artwork mentioning H&R is treated as concept wording, not the current site specification
CHASSIS & GEOMETRY
Strut braces, underbody reinforcement and adjustable geometry parts
The chassis package is broader than lowering alone. Front and mid braces, underbody reinforcement and a rear K-brace aim to reduce flex between suspension points. Adjustable sway-bar links, rear camber arms and a front toe kit allow the geometry to be corrected or tuned after the ride-height change.
- Front and mid strut / chassis braces
- Underbody reinforcement and rear K-brace
- Adjustable sway-bar links
- Rear adjustable camber arms and front toe kit
BRAKING
AMG four-pot front brakes with Brembo rear hardware and AP Racing fluid
The front axle uses AMG-style four-piston calipers and approximately 330 mm cross-drilled rotors for stronger initial bite and heat capacity. The rear uses Brembo pads and recorded Brembo rear discs, while braided hoses and AP Racing Factory R DOT 5.1 fluid improve pedal consistency under repeated braking.
- AMG-style four-pot front calipers with 330 mm cross-drilled rotors
- Brembo rear carbon pads
- Brembo rear disc reference 08.B348.41 / OE 2464230112
- Steel-braided brake hoses on all four corners
- AP Racing Factory R DOT 5.1 brake fluid
WHEELS & TYRES
Rays ZE40 18-inch wheels with Falken Azenis FK520 235/45R18
The ZE40 multi-spoke design provides brake clearance and a purposeful motorsport appearance. Falken Azenis FK520 tyres in 235/45R18 retain meaningful sidewall height, giving the car more compliance and protection than an ultra-low-profile setup while still supporting the upgraded chassis.
- Rays ZE40 black multi-spoke wheels · 18 inch
- Falken Azenis FK520 · 235/45R18
- Street-friendly tyre profile retained
RELIABILITY & PRESENTATION
Motul lubrication, cooling maintenance and OEM+ exterior details
The build is supported by maintenance rather than modification alone. Motul 300V 5W-40 is the recorded engine oil, the radiator was replaced in May 2025, and coolant temperature has been monitored around 101–103°C. Exterior details include the AMG-style grille, rear spoiler / ducktail direction and quad exhaust appearance. The cabin reference is a 2019 AMG 45-style interior.
- Motul 300V 5W-40 engine oil
- Radiator replaced in May 2025
- Coolant temperature observed around 101–103°C
- Recorded 0–100 km/h: 9.3 seconds on 1 June 2025
GLA 180 · CURRENT SETUP & COMPONENT REGISTER
One verified configuration, followed by the full parts record.
Current specifications are separated from older concept artwork. Brand names appear only where they were previously recorded; unknown brands remain clearly marked.
01Engine control & responseECU · TCU · DTE
02Turbo, intake & charge systemFLOW · BOOST · COOLING
03Exhaust systemFLOW · SOUND · REAR DESIGN
04Suspension, chassis & alignmentBILSTEIN · VOGTLAND · BRACING
05Brakes, wheels & tyresAMG · BREMBO · AP RACING · RAYS · FALKEN
06Maintenance & visual specificationMOTUL · COOLING · OEM+
CHAPTER 02 · THE GRAND TOURER
Porsche Panamera 4
The second chapter changes the mood from compact tuned daily to long-distance grand touring: lower, wider, calmer and more luxurious, with performance delivered through refinement rather than aggression alone.
PANAMERA 4 · VERIFIED RECORD & ARTWORK REFERENCES
Detailed where the record is clear. Explicit where confirmation is still missing.
Bernard owns the white Porsche Panamera shown as the second car. The recurring visual record identifies it as a Panamera 4 with a panoramic roof and a luxury grand-touring role.
Earlier generated artwork conflicts between 970.2 and 971 chassis labels and also shows inconsistent engine, output and performance figures. Those values are therefore not published here as confirmed specifications.
High-flow intake concept
One Panamera modification board shows BMC Air Filter branding and a high-flow intake upgrade. Functionally, this would reduce filter restriction and support throttle response, but the exact installed hardware on the real car has not yet been confirmed in the record.
Sports exhaust concept
The artwork repeatedly uses Akrapovič-style branding and a freer-flowing sports exhaust narrative. Such a system would mainly change exhaust tone, reduce restriction and sharpen the GT character. The real installed brand and configuration remain unconfirmed.
Stage 1 ECU concept
A generated board includes VP Engineering-style branding and Stage 1 ECU language. A genuine ECU calibration would alter torque mapping, throttle strategy and boost control where applicable. No tuner invoice, dyno graph or verified output has yet been recorded for the real Panamera.
Data required to complete the real Panamera dossier
Exact registration year and chassis generation; engine code and displacement; actual ECU tuner; intake and exhaust brands; suspension, brake, wheel and tyre specifications; maintenance fluids; and any verified acceleration or dyno result.
TWO CARS · TWO PURPOSES
One is engineered for a sharper daily drive. The other is designed for effortless distance.
VISUAL ARTWORK · CURRENT MECHANICAL DATA IS LISTED ABOVE
GLA 180 X156
Compact fast-road project
- Response, control and daily usability
- Current 2.0T / Stage 2 configuration
- Artwork shown here; verified details remain in the dossier
PANAMERA 4
Luxury grand tourer
- White Panamera 4 with panoramic roof
- Luxury grand-touring presentation
- Exact mechanical specification pending verification
AUTOMOTIVE ARTWORK
Technical documentation reimagined as cinematic art.
Concept and archived artworks may contain earlier, illustrative or unverified specifications. The Current Setup & Component Register is the authoritative record for the real car.
BERNARD YAP SONG HO
Project management discipline applied to machines and visual storytelling.
Singapore-based project manager and technology professional with experience across IT operations, system support, vendor management, UAT, deployments, procurement coordination, Power Apps and AI automation. This site brings the same structured thinking into automotive modification and artwork.