And then there is MTM, the maker of exclusively equipped cars – mostly Audis and Volkswagen. Managed by Roland Mayer, owner of the company, MTM engineers have got to work on the 4.2 litre TDI that is deployed in the A8, as well as in the Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg. By no means weak with 350 HP, but with enough potential for much more power at a low engine speed as well at the upper end of the rev range.

Tried and tested methods are used to increase power: standard engine management is out, MTM systems are in. When a V-Cantronic is deployed in the A8, it is true that performance remains the same at 350 HP, but the high speed of the saloon is no longer abruptly suppressed at 250 kph. The limit doesn’t kick in until 282 kph. This version only comes with the A8. It takes a good two hours of skilled workmanship and is available at less than € 1,400.

Those who want to compete in the Champions League with their V8 TDI can get themselves into the top division of the engine speed league for just under € 1,800. As well as 410 HP, the MTM high-tech laboratory gives you 930 Nm of torque – for a hold that could rip up paving stones.

No less powerful, but around €100 cheaper, is the MTM version that uses an M-Cantronic. Those who are looking for more than the top class power output of 930 Nm, however, are catered for by MTM with a combination of the M-Cantronic and V-Cantronic, which slow down the engine speed limitation at 250 kph. This additional “powerhouse doping” costs less than €2,700 and is only available for the A8.

For all versions, a beauty and safety concept in line with the company style is available: wheel rims, brakes, exhaust systems and chassis components which coupled together with the A8, Q7 or the Touareg make for an imposing ensemble. Then you are ahead of the field on the road but not the first at the fuel station.

Visually, the S8 receives a matte grey vinyl wrap and a styling kit that consists of a lower front spoiler, vented front fenders and lower rear apron with integrated diffuser. Daytime running lights sit in the front bumper while the rear light clusters have been tinted. The grille frame and mirror shells are trimmed in carbon fibre, while the chrome window trims and side moulding inserts have been been painted high-gloss black along with the badges, grille and new 22-inch alloy wheels.

Powered by that rich 5.2 L V10 FSI engine, Anderson Germany remaps its ECU and adds a high performance exhaust, which takes out from 331 kW (450 hp) up to 374 kW (508 hp).

Inside, the luxury barge is treated to a mixture of quilted leather and Alcantara upholstery with carbon fibre elements on the dashboard, centre console and steering wheel.

And this Audi A8 is one great example of what a good set of wheels and lowering can do to improve stance. Enjoy the pictures.

Initially the potent turbo diesel with a 4.2 litre cubic capacity has had its performance improved, and other versions will follow soon. “The machine fits the large limousine perfectly”, says Hans-Juergen Abt in justification of the decision. The series standard 350HP (257kW) is raised by ABT to 385HP (283kW). The torque of the modern diesel engine is impressive: 880 Nm (series standard: 800 Nm) ensure that the luxury liner can easily cope with any situation. Relaxed journeys and sports handling at the limit – everyday business life is particularly enjoyable with the ABT AS8. This is thanks to the air suspension, which has been tailor-made to meet the demands of this extravagant car.

The elegant-sporty car from Kempten also knows how to impress optically: the front spoiler, side sills, the rear aprons with the tailpipe cover and the three-piece rear spoiler underline the design of the limousine and give it a sporty touch. The new ABT CR alloys, available in expressive 20 and 21 inch sizes, are ideal additions to the overall concept: the wheel is classy, seems light yet has a powerful presence, and discreetly attracts attention.

This is particularly the case in combination with the phantom-black coating, which makes the ABT AS8 look classically-modern and sublime beyond all contemporary aberrations. The fact that a touch of dynamism and aggressiveness does no harm to the luxury liner is shown in the details of the vehicle. The ABT AS8 has been optimised to meet the high demands of its drivers: ABT Sportsline has not changed the elegant glider into a racing car, but carefully into a confident and sporty automobile.

The Project Kahn A8 has left all competition on the sidelines when it comes to eco-friendliness. With an all-aluminum body the super saloon is light-weight, an essential element in cutting down emission levels. Add to this Kahn’s electric lowering module, the A8 emits only 199g/km of CO2 from its highly-efficient 2.8-liter gasoline engine, 11g/km lesser than the competition. Consequently, emissions of NOx have also been reduced and particulates is not a problem since the engine is fuelled by gasoline.

The Audi A8 is the most environment friendly luxury vehicle in the market today. It comes with adaptable air-suspension with four-settings allowing the user to customize the car’s setup according to the driving needs. The engine is so quite that road noise is particularly absent. The car can accelerate in 8 seconds to 62 mph from standstill.

In the front end, a RDX RACEDESIGN front bumper spoiler (EUR 599) – intended for usage with a current single-frame grille (also available from RDX RACEDESIGN for EUR 149) – including a bonnet cowl, makes for a "mean look” in the style of the current model, giving others a real shock in the rear view mirror when the facelifted old A8 appears. The much sportier and more individual look is further enhanced by original Audi S6 daytime running lights, which can be fitted left and right in the air intakes. For the air intakes, RDX RACEDESIGN also offers additional grille attachments. Customers can choose between four different grille designs ("silver" design included free of charge). "Turbo-Style” side skirts (batch price EUR 129.95) provide for a lower appearance and a uniform progression of the front spoiler design. In the rear end a RDX RACEDESIGN rear bumper (EUR 299) provides for an especially muscular appearance. It is delivered upon request with four kinds of grille attachments (available here in "silver" design free of charge).

The diffuser section is likewise perfect for contrast colour painting. The rear bumper is delivered without exhaust tailpipe extensions. Openings can be cut as desired to one’s own exhaust systems and perfectly adapted to individual needs.

The complete RDX RACEDESIGN aerodynamic kit for the Audi A8 D2 is available for a price of EUR 925 (plus grille and optional S6 daytime runnning lights). A price advantage of over EUR 100!

All RDX RACEDESIGN components display excellent custom-fitting, good paintability, and are of course TÜV tested and certified.

For further information on the extensive RDX RACEDESIGN tuning programme please call 09176/ 99 55 90 or consult the homepage www.rdx-racedesign-de.

Although both these models have the same engine – the powerful 5.2-litre FSI V10 – the S6 does not come off the Audi production line with the same power output as the S8. For those who are troubled by the lower power output compared with the car's big brother, MTM ups the S6's horsepower by the missing 15, to match the 450 of the S8. And then of course the driver of the S6 can also look forward to better performance.

Customers have even more reason to be happy if they can drive faster. Limited to 250 km/h in standard form, the S6 and S8 cause a few long faces. The motorway is empty … why can't I drive any faster? So the MTM engineers have fixed it so that the S6 and S8 now reach the 300 km/h mark. At that point MTM puts an electronic stop to the unbridled forward rush.

MTM can also equip both the S6 and the S8 with a beguiling sounding sports exhaust system. The stainless steel, dual-branch, in-house creation with sports exhaust flap control, and with its powerfully impressive 4-pipe look it gives the S6 and S8 a significantly sportier image.

MTM has developed a particularly appealing suspension system for the S8. In place of the standard air suspension system, there is now one from MTM. The trick is, it is individually controllable and it operates with speed-dependent compression and rebound settings. When equipped in this way, the luxury saloon sweeps through the corners in a much more agile manner. For the S6, which Audi does not supply with air suspension, MTM has a KW coil-over system Variant 3 on offer, on which the Bavarian specialists carry out the fine tuning. Bring on the next corner!

Tuning without wheels? At MTM they believe that a car should at least have some sporty footwear. For the S6/S8 models, the specialists from Wettstetten offer their own 9-spoke creation, the "Bimoto". This wheel achieves the balancing act between looking powerful and looking sportily elegant with considerable style, and is available for both the Audi models as a 10.5 x 21-inch version in "Polished Titanium" and "Shiny Silver". Contact with the road is taken care of by 285/30-21 tires.

MTM’s conversions can also accommodate particular customer requirements and vehicle constructions to customized specifications.

Further information about MTM's comprehensive range of equipment for Volkswagen Group vehicles can be found on the Internet at www.MTM-ONLINE.de, or by calling telephone number +49 (0)841/98188-0.