MTM Creates 472-hp Volkswagen T5 Multivan, 310-hp Audi Q3 [Geneva Auto Show]

MTM rarely disappoints. Although T 500 2.5 TFSI 4Motion doesn't sound like much, it may be one of the coolest tuner cars we've seen all year. That's because it's an all-wheel-drive Volkswagen T5 Multivan packing 472 hp. MTM's other new offering—the 310-hp Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI Quattro—seems tame by comparison. Although the tuner's wares are available in the U.S. (we've tested a couple MTM-ified Audis), the models upon which these two are based aren't, so they'll stay in Europe after they grace the show floor in Geneva. Which makes us sad. (If one or two of our editors don't return from Geneva, you'll know why.) MTM T 500 2.5 TFSI 4Motion According to MTM, the T 500 is "just what you would expect from the company: high-tech for high performance and the satisfaction of knowing that more is more." Indeed, the German flag–painted T 500 isn't any ordinary modified Transporter. The fun starts with an engine swap: The donor T5′s lump is supplanted by a 472-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five, a modified version of the mill found under the hood of the Audi TT RS. The T 500's 461 lb-ft of torque is routed to all four wheels through a beefed-up transmission and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. We'll take two. The T 500 tops out at a claimed 174 mph, so the thoughtful tuners have fitted the front brakes with six-piston front calipers. Additional visual pizzazz comes by way of 20-inch MTM wheels wrapped in 275/35 Michelin SuperSport rubber. A completely ridiculous T 500 like the one you see here comes in at the equivalent of around $210,000. The good news for thrifty-minded hyper-van customers? The tri-color German paint scheme can be left off, putting about $3100 back in your pocket. MTM Q3 2.0 TFSI Quattro Forgive us for seeming less excited about the Q3 TFSI Quattro than the T 500, but it's largely because we are less excited about the Q3 than the T 500. While it's hard to top a 472-hp van, the Q3 at least puts up a decent fight. MTM boosted the output from the Q3's turbocharged 2.0-liter four from a paltry 170 hp to 310, upgraded the exhaust system, lowered the suspension slightly, and installed a set of the its signature 20-inch wheels. MTM claims its mods shave two seconds off of the Q3's 0-to-60 time—to 6.1 seconds—and increase top speed from 130 mph to 155. At this point we should mention that Audi plans to build a Q3 with a 310-hp, 2.5-liter turbo five from the factory, a fact that somewhat lessens the perceived necessity of MTM's Q3. Like the T 500, this Q3 is available in the black/red/yellow paint scheme. MTM says the modified crossover costs a little less than $80,000 all-in. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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