A vehicle assembled at a maximum production run of 20-30 cars per day, the exotic mystique of the Audi R8 quattro supercar could sell itself on rarity. However, after five years of annual production capacity averaging 3,800 vehicles, the Audi halo car is now a bit less exclusive. For the higher social crowd that prefers to be noticed as unique individuals, performance and style tuner sources outside of the Audi factory can restore the unique allure of the favoured supercar.

TC Concepts R8 Toxique

A recent addition to the world of modified Audi R8s, the direction TC Concepts took with the German supercar aimed at creating a distinct automotive identity at an approachable price. Helping to keep customers from completely overextending their budgets, the TC Concepts R8 Toxique is created from the 4.2 liter V-8 version of the Audi R8 Coupe. Without involving any extraordinary engine enhancements other than a high-performance air filter and a reconfiguration of the engine electronics, TC Concepts positioned the bulk of the handiwork on the styling of the Audi R8.

Casting the supercar in their own image, the tuner group of TC Concepts dedicated themselves around the R8 supercar’s front end as well as the side panels. Given a racier look, the TC Concepts R8 Toxique’s enlarged front air intakes features recessed black mesh guarding. Subtracting the R8 Coupe’s body colour-contrasting side panels, a sleeker surfacing for the R8 Toxique plays host to more aggressive air openings reminiscent of the R8 Spyder. Exterior touches such as a fixed carbon fiber rear wing and TC Concepts Parle 7-spoke wheels completes the outer modification setting up the bewilderment of the R8 Toxique’s interior. Driver and passenger inside the TC Concepts R8 Toxique cabin will find a handsome use of Alcantara as well as carbon fiber surrounding them as they nestle into custom Bentley Beluga-Nero leather seats.

EDO Competition Audi R8

Furnishing the premium automotive marketplace with greater vehicle personalization, EDO Competition larger and growing portfolio of represented brands include BMW, Aston Martin, Porsche and Ferrari. EDO Competition also wrenches up the Audi R8 with some quaint but nonetheless mentionable modifications. Given a refined aerodynamic form on the outside through the generous application of carbon fiber, the EDO Competition Audi R8 increased downforce potential more effectively plants the supercar. Offering two sets of sport wheels, the Edo Competition Audi R8 can be fitted with either 19-inch or 20-inch forged stainless steel/aluminum rims. If Audi R8 owners desire an alternative from the metallic look, customers can request their selected EDO Competition sport wheels to be painted to a custom colour.

A modest power increase is acquired on the Edo Competition Audi R8 through the addition of lighter weight, sportier sounding stainless exhaust. Bumping horsepower from the 4.2 liter FSI engine to 442, the EDO Competition exhaust reduces the Audi R8’s total weight by 18 pounds.

STaSIS Audi R8 V-10 Challenge Extreme Edition

Almost $56,000 cost on top of the purchase price of the V-10 powered Audi R8, the American-based firm STaSIS unlocks what could be the maximum street-legal potential of the German supercar with the Challenge Extreme Edition.

Ultimately, the presentation of the STaSIS Audi R8 V-10 Challenge Extreme Edition initially pulls off the attitude of a ‘street sleeper’ as little more than Anthracite ultra-lightweight forged aluminum wheels define the vehicle as a modified creation. In the engine bay is where STaSIS feeds new life into the Audi R8. Boosting the 5.2 FSI engine, a 7.5 PSI Eaton / Magnusson TVS 2300 supercharger and CNC machined intake plenum is a performance keys that elevates horsepower to 710 horsepower. Promising 0 to 60-mile per hour acceleration times in just 3.1 seconds, the STaSIS Audi R8 V-10 Challenge Extreme Edition is one of the fastest launching examples of Audi’s finest sports car creation.

A more responsive suspension along with an improved braking system allows the STaSIS Audi R8 V-10 Challenge Extreme Edition to move with an increased confidence. Shown as lateral and brake acceleration both exceed 1.0 G, the STaSIS R8 V-10 Challenge Extreme Edition performance is beyond Audi factory specifications for the stock R8. Despite stretching the performance of the Audi R8, STaSIS stands behind the quality of their work with a 4-year, 50,000-mile warranty.

ABT R8 GT S

Unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, ABT Sportsline ventured deep into the maximization of the standard V-10 powered Audi R8 Spyder. The ABT R8 GT S sports radical appearance and performance enhancements making the vehicle a true super supercar.

Decorated in two-tone bodywork combining red chrome with carbon fiber, the ABT R8 GT S projects an endearing high-performance look. Structurally, the ABT R8 GT S body panels have been optimized with carbon-reinforced polymer construction.

The gripping two-tone treatment displayed on the exterior of the ABT R8 GT S is a theme asserted to the two-seat cabin. Red and gray ABT seating is showcased along with an interior upholstered generously with leather. Gripping onto a carbon fiber steering wheel, the driver of the ABT R8 GT S will quickly realize the impact of 620 horsepower as the car is launched from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 3.6 seconds. Motivated by an extra 95 horsepower over the stock 5.2 FSI V-10 engine, top speed for the R8 GT S supercar tops out at 200 miles per hour. Despite the extreme performance potential of the R8 GT S, ABT Sportsline claims the supercar is tempered enough for everyday driving.

MTM Audi R8 4.2 V-8

A company derived from the creation of a modified Audi Ur-quattro in 1985, performance tuner MTM GmbH has remained a faithful supporter of the VW Group vehicles. Centered on building functional but thrilling products, MTM magic is so brilliantly released on the Audi R8 supercar. Providing parts for both the V-8 and V-10 versions of the R8, MTM customization is opened to the coupe, Spyder as well as the Audi R8 GT.

Available for the 4.2 liter FSI V-8 engined version of the Audi R8 has the widest selection of pieces under MTM. Brembo brakes with 8-piston calipers, an electronic lowering kit and an unpainted carbon appearance kit is a sampling of clearly visible MTM enhancements. A choice of two 20-inch MTM Bimoto wheels completes the aesthetic enhancements the Audi R8. Guaranteed to the most invigorating MTM-sourced component optional for the Audi R8 supercar is the company’s supercharger kit worth 140 extra horsepower over the eight-cylinder stock counterpart. With horsepower elevated to 560 horsepower, the MTM Audi R8’s 0 to 62 mile-per hour acceleration is registered at 3.9 seconds (0.7 seconds better than the factory’s version). Capable of 188 miles per hour with the standard final gear, an available longer gear allows the MTM Audi R8’s velocity to almost approach 197 miles per hour.

Information and photo source: ABT Sportsline, EDO Competition, Motoren Technik Mayer GmbH, STaSIS, TC Concepts

An exotic flavour reserved for the European market, the Audi RS3 made its premiere early this year as a 340-horsepower interpretation of their compact car. Assuming the form of the unimposing five-door Audi A3 Sportback, the RS3 asserts itself in 0 with 62 mile per hour acceleration in only 4.6 seconds. While North Americans receive only the word of this hyper-powered A3-based car’s existence, the commuters on the Autobahn are able to indulge in the full thrill of this quattro all-wheel drive powered RS3 factory sport compact. With less than a year on the market, there is one performance tuner so bold to believe they could pull even more from the Audi RS3 Sportback.

Residing little more than a seven kilometer traveling distance from the Ingolstadt headquarters of Audi, MTM (Motoren-Technik-Mayer GmbH) began building supped-up versions of the premium auto brand’s quattro since 1985. Envy beyond envy, German aftermarket performance house MTM has approached the Audi RS3 Sportback thinking how they can make something great even better. Augmenting the five-door car to the tastes of even finer performance tuning, the MTM RS3 Sportback 2.5 TFSI is born by the small-volume vehicle producer.

Strikingly similar to the Audi RS3 Sportback in exterior and interior looks (with exception to the multi-colour paint scheme assembled on the MTM RS3 Sportback 2.5 TFSI show vehicle), the treatment conducted by the Ingolstadt performance tuner is limited largely to performance gains. Playing with the Audi 2.5 TFSI engine (found in the RS3 as well as the TT RS), MTM enhances their version of the compact Sportback with 472 horsepower. Credited for pushing up the output from the 2.5 liter five-cylinder engine by 132 horsepower are some tweaks MTM made to the turbocharger unit, high-flow air intake and some optimized spark plugs. The MTM RS3 Sportback 2.5 TFSI is also given a unique voice with a new exhaust system.

As 472 horsepower funnels through the sport-oriented quattro all-wheel drive system, MTM made special modifications to the A3-based sport compact. An adjustable air suspension system is added for improved sport handling and electronic lowering. The MTM RS3 Sportback 2.5 TFSI rides on bimoto alloy wheels featuring a 9-spoke racing-inspired design. Enhancing the dynamic performance, the MTM RS3 Sportback 2.5 TFSI strengthens the stopping power of the quattro driven wheels. Eight-piston Brembo brake calipers supplies firm, controlled vehicle deceleration of the super-tuned compact car.

A 15-hour procedure, the conversion to the MTM RS3 Sportback 2.5 TFSI costs 10,600 euros (equal to about $14,180 US) in addition to the stock Audi RS3 Sportback’s retail price.

Information source: Audi AG, MTM
Photo source: MTM

They’re calling the car the MTM R8 V10 BiTurbo, and if you buy one, you’ll get 777 HP, a top speed in excess of 217 mph, and a zero to 62 mph time of 3.0 seconds. MTM is debuting the car at the Geneva Motor Show early next month. The shiny finish took 700 working hours to polish, which means that if the car does go on sale, chances are that polished finish won’t be standard.

MTM Audi RS5

If you have a little more patience (and around 3000 Euros,) you can have MTM install their custom stainless steel exhaust for the RS5, adding a new sound, new look, and a little more performance. They also have an adjustable-height suspension in the works.

Those wheels you see in the images above and below? Those are MTM’s 9-spoke Bimono rims, available in 19, 20, or 21-inch varieties. Cost for those? 2249 Euros, or around $2900 USD for the 19-inch set. Pricey, but damn they look good.

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.

MTM TT-RS

A few months ago we got a look at the Sportec TT-RS, a tuned version of Audi’s high performance sports coupe tuned to 400 horsepower by only modifying the car’s ECU.

This time, German tuners MTM get their hands on a TT-RS and make it even better. By taking the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine and tweaking the ECU and adding their own high performance exhaust, MTM was able to squeeze out 424 hp – 84 more horsepower than the stock TT-RS. The power enhancements allow the MTM TT-RS to travel from 0 to 62 mph in only 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 181 mph.

The MTM TT-RS package comes in three varieties, the above-mentioned 424 hp version being the most powerful – and most expensive – running you about $12,900. If you don’t have that kind of cash lying around, you have the option of the 404 or 408 hp versions as well, which will cost about $2,800 and $7,000, respectively. Optional 19- or 20-inch BIMOTO wheels are also available.

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.

MTM Audi R8

German tuner MTM has taken Audi’s R8 to the next level. Not only have they added the eye-catching (or eye-bleeding) Kermit-the-Frog-green from the Porsche GT3 RS, they’ve increased engine output to an incredible 560 horsepower – higher than the 520hp 5.2-liter V10 promised in the R8 5.2 FSI Quattro coming soon.

They’ve achieved this 120hp boost by adding a supercharger, a reprogrammed ECU, and a quad-exhaust for free-flowing air out of the more powerful engine. Not wanting the R8 V10 customers to feel left out, MTM has developed an ECU program to allow to achieve the same 560 horsepower from their machines.

In addition to the increase in power and wild color scheme, MTM also includes a full aerodynamic body kit made completely from carbon fiber, revised carbon fiber side blades, and 20-inch forged Bimoto alloy wheels. Suspension upgrades include lowering springs with an optional lift-kit for burbs and speed bumps (Lamborghini-style.)

As you can sort of see from the interior picture below, you can opt for matching green stitching and carbon fiber appointments inside the R8, which may or may not look very good.

As cool as the paint job looks, I could do without the resemblance to Porsche, and stick with the excellent performance upgrade. No pricing is announced at this point, but expect to shell out a pretty penny for these pricey upgrades.

More pictures below:

Related: CBN