Just as we hear reports of Audi planning a race-ready but street-legal R8 GT3, MTM comes out with this – a massively fast, supercharged, lightweight, Rear-Wheel-Drive version of the V8-powered supercar called the R8 GT3-2. The “2″ at the end represents its drive wheels, differentiating it from the standard AWD cars.

While the performance enhancements are significant (and we will go over those in the following paragraphs,) what we really need to focus on here is that this is an Audi R8 without its quattro AWD system; it’s only driven by the rear wheels. While that may seem like a disadvantage to some, others (especially racers,) will consider this a godsend and buy one based solely on that fact. Not only does getting rid of quattro lighten up the car, but gives it an entirely new driving dynamic. RWD cars are more fun to drive, for one, but can also be driven more aggressively and can be taken around turns sideways (powersliding, drifting,) whereas AWD cars have trouble doing that.

So, what else has been changed? MTM supercharged the R8, effectively giving the 4.2-liter V8 engine 560 HP – 35 more than the V10 version with significantly less weight. It’s only boosted to 8 psi, so crank up that boost and you’ll get even more power. Zero to 62 mph comes in only 3.9 seconds, up to a top speed of 197 mph. MTM also tacked on a special exhaust to increase performance and make the modified R8 sound unmistakable. A special adjustable suspension is added to the car, along with 20-inch lightweight forged wheels wrapped in high-performance Dunlop tires.

Outside, MTM kept it mostly stock, save for replacing the front spoiler, side skirt and rear wing with their own lightweight (and more aerodynamic) carbon fiber pieces. Inside, MTM gets you some Recaro carbon racing seats.

If you’re interested in an MTM Audi R8 GT3-2 – and who would blame you – you can order one from MTM directly or give them your existing R8 for a conversion.

If you think the standard Audi R8 supercar is a bit too “posh” for you, check out what German tuning firm Abt Sportsline just churned out.

The ABT R8 GT R isn’t just your standard tuned car, but a lightweight, high-powered race car for the road and track. The first thing Abt did to this monster is take of Audi’s stock hood, front and rear aprons, rear wing, tailgate, and even the outline edge on the rear, external mirrors, and the door panels – replacing them with their own versions made completely from carbon fiber. The side windows are even replaced with a high-strength, lightweight material called Makrolon. All this stripping down doesn’t sacrifice anything but bulk, and makes for a weight savings of over 220 lbs – a significant number when flying down a track.

As you might expect, Abt didn’t leave the engine alone in this beast. The monstrous 5.2-liter, 525 hp V10 engine in the factory car has been tuned to 620 hp, allowing the Abt R8 GT R to travel from zero to 62 mph in only 3.2 seconds. Keep that right pedal down and the car will reach 124 mph in 9.9 seconds, up to a top speed of 202 mph.

Abt also added a sports suspension and adjustable dampers to fine-tune the performance, along with modified brakes to deal with the extra power. Lightweight 19-inch Abt alloy wheel were added for style and function.

To give it its race track ability, Abt added Recaro racing seats with a 4-point seat belt system, stainless steel roll-over bar with seat belt attachment, hand-held fire extinguisher and a carbon fiber ABT Sports steering wheel.. They’ve even added a an on-board video system and the expandable data module for tracking and recording your lap times and other metrics.

This is truly a track-worthy beast for those who want the gorgeous looks, blistering performance, and overall refinement of an Audi R8 V10 supercar, but also want a highly capable race car.

Behold the newest creation from the ENCO Exclusive factory – the ENCO Audi Q5. The German tuner has taken the compact SUV and applied a body kit to loosely simulate the Q5’s biggest brother – the Q7 V12 TDI, of which few of us could afford (somewhere along the lines of $135,000…right.)

Specifically, ENCO added those big black air inlets in the front bumper along with the integrated LEDs, and a new hood with two chrome vents for a muscular and slightly “blingy” look. Along the sides, they’ve added mudguard and door extensions, and out back they’ve added a rear spoiler and new bumper with oval exhaust pipes integrated, just like the Q5 V12 TDI.

Along with the new body, buyers get new 22-inch 7-spoke Enco wheels in any color. Inside, Enco will replace the trim with carbon fiber pieces.

Pricing? The body kit will cost €4,165 Euros (about $5,700 USD,) which isn’t actually all that bad for this kit. Get the hood for an extra €1,785 Euros ($2,440.) If you want Enco to install and paint the kit, tack on another 2,678 Euros ($3,660.) A lowering kit runs €595, and the wheels…€4,641 ($6,345) and an extra €476 to paint them a different color. I’ll pass on the wheels, thanks. Want that carbon fiber interior? Expect it to run you €1,428, or around $1,952. Me…I think I’d take the body kit (maybe the carbon fiber interior) and call it quits. Check out more pictures of the kit below:

German tuners Prior Design just released their latest update to to the Audi R8. Applied to either the V8 or V10 version of the supercar, Prior Design’s version includes a new body kit including a front spoiler, brand new hood, body-color side blade, as well as a new front bumper, side skirts, and carbon fiber rear diffuser.

In the interior, Prior gave the R8 a carbon fiber center console, control panel, and handbrake, along with contrasting red carbon fiber components in the engine bay. Prior also developed their own 20-inch wheels, which I must say look very good.

Pricing is available upon request, meaning it’s very expensive. Check out more pictures below:

Abt’s latest creation they’ll be displaying at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, which is their take on the Audi R8 Spyder. Abt squeezed 75 more horsepower out of the 5.2-liter V10 engine, bringing the power up to nearly 600 hp. The results: The Abt R8 Spyder will reach zero to 62 mph in only 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 199 mph. Just couldn’t squeeze out that extra mph, huh Abt?

Aesthetics are all Abt, as usual, with modifications to the front, rear, and sides. Abt 20-inch and 19-inch wheels are available as well, giving the car an extra aggressive look. We should know more info about the car in a few days. In the mean time, check out the photos below, courtesy of gtspirit.com:

Ever heard of the brand Hispano? Me neither, until now. Turns out they’re a luxury car maker whose made a crap-load of cars that we’ve never heard about. But based on what they’re creating now, I have a feeling the name will get more well known in the supercar community.

Based on an Audi R8 V10, Hispano created a monster of a car. Called the Suiza, the supercar carries a twin-supercharged version of the R8’s 5.2-liter V10. It creates around 750 horsepower and 516 lb-ft – plenty enough to get you around. Want even more? Hispano is proposing a hybrid version of the car (based on the Audi e-tron,) which will output an estimated 900 hp! Ridiculous? Yes. Awesome? Hell yes. They’re also considering a convertible version of the Suiza, surely based off of the R8 Spyder.

The slightly less insane 750 hp version of the car will propel you from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.4 seconds, up to a top speed of 205 mph. The driver has to have deep pockets to own the Suiza – estimated cost is around $943,000.

Expect to see the Hispano Suiza at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in a few days. Check out a couple more images below:

source: mibz.com

Embarrassed you only have the measly 3.0 TDI Audi Q7 SUV? The tuner ENCO has your answer. They’ve taken the original front and back-end from a high-end Q7 V12 model and stuck it on the 3.0 TDI, making it look more aggressive and expensive. The ENCO press release for this SUV says “The giant radiator grill looks like a mouth ripped wide open from the inside mirror, which seems to want to ‘absorb’ small cars in front of it.” Nice.

The wheel arches have been widened, giving the SUV a wider stance. ENCO added their own GT bonnet (hood, for us Westerners,) made from lightweight carbon fiber and covered in a matte black finish. ENCO also added their own 23-inch wheels painted black chrome, and wrapped them in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires for higher performance. ENCO snagged the ceramic brakes from a Porsche Cayenne SUV and threw them on as well, ensuring the Q7 stops on a dime.

Inside, they’ve finished the Q7 in a bronze carbon look on the dashboard, center console, door trim, and steering wheel. I’ve never seen orange carbon fiber, and it actually looks pretty cool. ENCO’s Q7 also comes standard with a multimedia system including satellite TV, DVD player, video game console, and head rest LCD monitor.

Price? Don’t expect it to be cheap. For the whole shebang, ENCO will charge you €38000, or over $51,000 USD. Holy crap! Take a look at more pics below:

Abt AS7 Audi Q7 Facelift

After a couple years, it’s easy to get bored with a car you drive every day, especially if it’s not a particularly exciting car in the first place. Take the Audi Q7 for example. It’s not a bad vehicle in any way, but just like every other SUV on the road, it’s a bit…mundane. That doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy a new car every couple of years though. Bored with your Q7? Hand it over to ABT for an energizing facelift and overall upgrade. Not only will it make you love your SUV again, but you’ll stand out from all the other standard Q7s on the road.

Once you hand the keys over to German tuner ABT, they’ll make enough changes to convince you it’s a different vehicle altogether.

First on the list, ABT will tune the Q7’s engine for a beefier output. If your Q7 is equipped with the 240 hp 3.0 TDI, choose the upgrade for 282 hp or have them add a turbocharger for 310 hp. Owners of the 326 hp Q7 4.2 TDI can get an increase to 365 hp. Audi’s 3.0 TDI clean diesel also has an upgrade available taking the total power output from 240 hp to 278.

In addition to the increased power, ABT will add a complete aerodynamics kit for the AS7, including side skirts, rear skirt, end pipes, fender extension, and rear wing. Special ABT BR one-piece casted wheels round out the exterior changes and add some serious aggressiveness.

A few interior changes are also available, including aluminum pedals and footrest, ABT floor mats, and an ABT trunk mat.

Heffner Performance has finally finished their R8 Twin-Turbo package, which manages a nice 536 HP at the rear wheels (check out the dyno sheet below.) This is while running on only 6 psi of boost. Heffner promises they are working on an R8 V10 version of the twin-turbo package as well, which should be coming soon.

Take a look at the pictures and video below, and contact Heffner Performance for more information.

ABT AS5 Sportback

German tuner Abt Sportsline just got their hands on the A5 Sportback, before most of us can even see it. The Audi A5 Sportback is described “As comfortable as a limousine, elegant as a coupé and almost as practical as an Avant.” After being given the Abt treatment, the new AS5 Sportback can further be described “as dynamic as a true sports car.”

The fact that the name AS5 looks suspiciously like ASS is only an unintended benefit.

Abt tuned up two available engines on the Sportback:

2.0 TFSI
Audi A5 Sportback: 180 hp
Abt AS5 Sportback: 275 hp

3.0 TDI
Audi A5 Sportback: 240 hp
Abt AS5 Sportback: 282 hp

3.0 TDI “POWER S”
Audi A5 Sportback: 240 hp
Abt AS5 Sportback: 310 hp

The “POWER S” tuned 3.0 TDI engine with 310 horsepower is able to propel the AS5 Sportback from zero to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds. Bigger brakes provide quicker deceleration and special ABT wheels, available from 18- to 20-inches, add to the style. A new muffler and suspension system add to the sportiness of the car.

An ABT-styled body kit helps with aerodynamics and style by adding a front skirt, front grill, rear wing inserts, and a rear skirt set.