Wednesday 18th September 2013

MTM Audi S8

Turbocharged Audi goes to MTM with predictably mad results

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Even before Ronin, the Audi S8 was a cool car. Subtle almost to the point of invisibility, it has always been quick, stylish and luxurious. That it isn't the last word in feedback doesn't matter like it does with Audi's smaller cars, and who doesn't love a big fast saloon?

Get rid of that badge for the full Q-car effect

The current car is powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as also found in the Bentley Continental GT. But now MTM has had a fiddle and produced some rather ludicrous numbers. A Powerkit has pushed power from 520hp to 650hp and torque from 480lb ft to 590lb ft, presumably through some work to the turbos and electronics.

That's quite a leap, especially for just 4,491 euros (£3,770). For those after the ultimate S8, a package including a cat-back exhaust is available, creating 660hp and 594lb ft. But given that costs another 4,000 euros (£3,357), we'd be tempted to stick with the 'regular' Powerkit.

Now the car you see here is kitted out with all the latest MTM upgrades, including some new 21-inch wheels (5,231 euros/£4,390), an 'F-Catronic' module for the air suspension (1,750 euros/£1,468) plus a brake upgrade at 6,700 euros (£5,623). Whilst the brakes might be a wise move, there remains the potential for a completely standard looking S8 with 650hp. Wonder if it still has cylinder deactivation?

Moreover, the latest S8 has also depreciated in the best large fast Audi fashion. This S8 would have been an £80K car last year. Less than 10,000 miles later, it's available at an Audi dealer for £60,850. It could be a 650hp S8 for less than £65,000. We cannot condone using it to outrun French police however...

Pictures: WCF

[Uncle John]

Is that Fat - Catronic? Brilliant!

[the_hood]

For under £4k, it would be rude not to!

[Krikkit]

the_hood said:

For under £4k, it would be rude not to!

What a mad price! I was expecting it to be about £10k!

[exceed]

Is there any equivalent tuner for Jags at all? My dad desperately wants to upgrade his XJ SuperSport but there's nothing available other than getting pieces here, there and everywhere... If he could get something like an MTM package that would suit him to a tee!

P.S. Epic car, although Audis bore me.

[XJR500bhp]

Racing green are trying a few things for XJ's, nothing like this available yet though

[vrooom]

It just show how dull boring audi is, you needed 650hp to have fun. but that 4k upgrade is mad value of money!!!

[Cupramax]

PH article said:

Catronic

Cantronic . PH, proof reading counts

[smilo996]

It also looks very subdued as well. It will be interesting to see whether MTM become the AMG of Merc. I would definitely have one of these over any Merc.
Audi never lost the ability to make turbo engines. The 2.7 twin turbo on the RS4 can happily be tuned to well over 500BHP fior not much money.

[Nors]

vrooom said:

It just show how dull boring audi is,

It's started, how original!!

vrooom said:

you needed 650hp to have fun.

Makes no sense!

[Tuvra]

vrooom said:

It just show how dull boring audi is, you needed 650hp to have fun. but that 4k upgrade is mad value of money!!!

Why would you want your Executive Super Saloon to be anything other than dull and boring? I know a chap who would buy this kind of car, at the moment he has a CL63, does he drive it for the performance/thrill factor? No, he has a Ferrari for that, he drives the CL because its comfortable, fully loaded and can eat up the miles in a non dramatic fashion. When travelling along a motorway, he then has the power to rival super cars should he wish too...

[j90gta]

"The current car is powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as also found in the Bentley Continental GT."

So presume they can fit this package to the Bentley as well?

[Adenauer]

vrooom said:

It just show how dull boring audi is, you needed 650hp to have fun. but that 4k upgrade is mad value of money!!!

So you think the standard S8 is boring?

[Ollieb7]

Would a 700hp Audi RS6 not be better value at half the price...?

[Tankman2]

Nors said:

vrooom said:

It just show how dull boring audi is,

It's started, how original!!

vrooom said:

you needed 650hp to have fun.

Makes no sense!

Nor does this . . .

vrooom said:

but that 4k upgrade is mad value of money!!!

vrooom didnt said:

I not see Ronin. what is???

[Tankman2]

Nors said:

vrooom said:

It just show how dull boring audi is,

It's started, how original!!

vrooom said:

you needed 650hp to have fun.

Makes no sense!

Nor does this . . .

vrooom said:

but that 4k upgrade is mad value of money!!!

vrooom didnt said:

I not see Ronin. what is???

[keith2.2]

Nor does this..

Average result of 92 votes: 2.7/10?!

Behave you lot.

[y2blade]

SOOOO MUCH WANT!

[LuS1fer]

That front looks like a gas fire.

There is "Q car" and there is "totally lacking any inspiration" - this styling is the latter.

[Scottie - NW]

What does your 4k get you, apart from the extra power and torque.

Is it just a remap?

Or are there other uprated parts, I'd want to know if I was spending 4k for it.

[Phil Dicky]

Ollieb7 said:

Would a 700hp Audi RS6 not be better value at half the price...?

A new one isn't though