STAGE 1 is the modification of a car to optimise it for a different set of performance requirements from those it was originally designed to meet.
Most commonly this is higher engine performance and dynamic handling characteristics but cars may also be altered to provide better fuel economy, or smoother response.
The goal when tuning is the improvement of a vehicle’s overall performance in response to the user’s needs. Often, tuning is done at the expense of emissions performance, component reliability and occupant comfort.
As a culture has grown around modified cars the term tuning has grown to encompass the cosmetic and stylistic changes owners make to personalize their vehicles. These changes can range from functional modifications designed to improve the performance or functionality of the car, to visual modifications which alter the aesthetics of the car and, in the case of certain mods, sometimes be detrimental to the performance or functionality of the car.