What's the news?
When a standard Audi S8 just isn't powerful or exclusive enough, the people at MTM (that's Motoren-Technik-Mayer to you and me) have the answer. The German tuning firm will take either your donor S8 - or source a brand new one for you - and add some additional grunt to allow the über saloon to reach even more impressive levels of performance.
Exterior
Unlike some aftermarket tuners, MTM understand the definition of taste, so don't expect gullwing doors and horrendous two-tone body kits here. The German firm does like to add its own 10.5-inch wide 'bimoto' alloy wheels into the equation, but aside from that and a discreet MTM badge, there is little to differentiate its S8 Biturbo from a 'standard' car.
Interior
MTM's speciality is in making an already quick car go even quicker, so it tends to steer clear of tinkering with the interior design and look. That said, Audi offers quite a detailed tailoring service for buyers who wish to have a more unique looking cabin.
Mechanicals
Some serious massaging by MTM of the standard S8 engine sees power grow from a stock 520hp to an more substantial 650hp. This increase helps the S8 reach 62mph in just four seconds from a standing start and a top speed of 182mph, which is still limited. What's even more impressive is that 800Nm of torque is available from 1,700- to 5,500rpm. All of that grunt is handled by the Audi's eight-speed automatic transmission as before and the S8 retains its quattro four-wheel drive.
Anything else?
Helping that extra performance sound even better is a stainless steel exhaust system that costs just under £4,000. The engine kit itself is priced at an almost-reasonable £4,145, which includes a specific warranty, while those wider wheels cost a mere £5,000 plus change. You can of course buy the car fully equipped from MTM for around £130,000. (All prices have been converted from the Euro equivalent.)
Dave Humphreys - 24 Sep 2013