MTM Supercharged Audi S4

German tuners MTM have given the Audi S4 and S5 Cabrio enough power to compete with their up-trimmed siblings. Through the use of their M-Cantronic ECU system, MTM has given the two cars – both powered by the 3.0 TFSI V6 engine – 430 horsepower, which is only 10 hp less than the stock Audi RS4′s V8 engine.

Along with the M-Cantronic system, MTM uses new exhaust components to help with power delivery. The MTM S4 is also equipped with bigger brakes and 8-piston calipers, a lowered suspension, and 19-inch Bimoto wheels.

430 horsepower get the MTM S4 from zero to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds with the 6-speed manual transmission, and can reach a top speed of 177 mph with the optional V-Cantronic system which removes the top speed limiter from the stock ECU.

The kit is not cheap, either. For both the M-Cantronic and V-Cantronic system producing 430 hp, the system costs $4,600 USD, another $6,183 for the exhaust system, and $6,046 for the wheels. The suspension tuning is $1,048, and the big brakes are $6,654, coming to a total of $24,531 for the MTM S4, plus the price of the car, if you don’t add any other options.

Audi 4.2-liter V8 FSI Engine

Not long ago, I was crushed to hear that Audi would be dropping their excellent 4.2-liter V8 engine in the S5 for a similarly capable but less enthusiastic supercharged V6. While the forced induction V6 can haul the car along just as well as the V8, there’s just something about that engine’s smoothness, power delivery, sound, and personality that no V6 can match.

The plans were to scrap the V8 for 2011 model year in the S5, but word just came through that Audi might be reconsidering. I’ve voiced my opinion personally to an Audi product rep in the past, and he (as well as many of his Audi coworkers) agreed that the stupendous V8 could not be matched, but Audi was basing the decision on logical reasons. Since when was car enthusiasm based on logical reasoning?

Based on growing enthusiasm from consumers and enthusiasts, Audi decided it might be smart to keep the 4.2-liter V8 we all love for at least through the 2011 model year. The S5 coupe will be the primary victor here, and expect the S5 convertible (bleh) to stick to the supercharged V6 plans. That’s alright, I’ll pass on the drop-top.

Critics – argue all you want about power output and weight advantage from a smaller, forced induction engine matching or beating that of a higher displacement version, and I’ll agree with you. But you can’t argue the audio. The S5 has one of the best sounding V8s on the road, and no V6, no matter how powerful can beat that. Sound is a very important purchasing factor in performance cars, by the way.