From wild paint jobs to aggressive bodykits, the Max Power era was defined by eye-catching modifications that pushed boundaries and turned ordinary cars into show-stopping builds. These extreme styling trends evolved through the magazine's 18-year run, influenced by changing tastes, cinema, and international scenes.
What began with relatively simple lowered suspension and aftermarket wheels in the early '90s evolved into the wild, sometimes outrageous signature "Max Power style" that still evokes nostalgia for an entire generation of car enthusiasts. This page captures the defining modification trends that shaped the era.
Flip Paint & Airbrushing
Iconic Max Power cars were famous for their outrageous flip paints – special finishes that changed color depending on viewing angle and lighting. These expensive paint jobs could shift from purple to green or blue to gold. Airbrushed murals added further drama, with skilled artists creating intricate scenes from skulls and flames to fantasy landscapes across hoods and tailgates.
Big Kits & Wide Arches
Aggressive bodykits transformed ordinary hatchbacks into wide-stance monsters. Companies like Dimma, Carzone, and Xscort became household names among modifiers. These fiberglass creations added dramatic box arches, deep front bumpers with oversized air intakes, and radical side skirts. The more extreme the better, with some cars almost unrecognizable from their factory form.
Exhausts & Underglow
Neon underglow kits gave Max Power cars their distinctive nighttime appearance. These LED or tube-based lighting systems were often installed alongside oversized exhaust systems. The shotgun-style exhausts with multiple tips, flame kits, and decat systems were built both for sound and appearance, with many featuring polished stainless steel or carbon fiber finishes.
Lambo & Scissor Doors
After the release of The Fast and the Furious in 2001, Lamborghini-style doors became a must-have for serious show cars. These vertical opening doors completely transformed how a car looked when parked up at shows and cruises. Installation required significant chassis modification, with companies like LSD Doors offering kits that allowed the dramatic upward swing while maintaining structural integrity.