Words: Jason Round

The Audi S3 seems to get left out in the European cold most of the time when the topic turns to hot hatches, and no doubt that probably has a lot to do with its fairly Space Needle-high pricing. However, it really is a decent bit of gear, and Euro tuning house MTM (Motoren Technik Mayer) has really turned up the heat on the latest model.

A coil-over system lowers the S3 between 35–65mm or MTM can specify 45mm-lowered springs for those on a budget. A set of 20mm spacers also provides additional road-holding ability.

Of course, stopping was never a problem with the S3, but MTM has gone one step further with huge 356mm rotors and a specially designed eight-piston caliper. The rotors feature semi-perforations (don’t go the whole way through the rotor) to prevent cracking, and the package comes complete with braided lines.

What we’re here for, though, is the power, and although the VW-borrowed powerplant already puts out a respectable 265hp, MTM bumps that figure up to 330hp, with over 420Nm on tap to really fry that rubber.
The extra go is made available thanks to an ECU revision and a full exhaust system including exhaust silencer control and new front pipe for the higher-end specification kit. Zero to 100 in 5.1sec, here we come...

Coming in silver, titanium and diamond-cut finishes, the new Bimoto 19x8.5in rims are a treat, now spec’ed out in 235/35 rubber.
MTM will even make individual, personalised mods. As they say, “special wishes will be granted.” We like the sound of that...

More info at www.mtm-online.de.