MTM Audi RS6 Clubsport

When one analyzes the situation of the tuning market a little bit better, it is relatively easy to come to the conclusion that the target of tuning companies in most cases are the vehicles that are already eye-catching in their standard form, making passersby heads turn, whether we are talking about sports cars or large and powerful SUVs. Very few tuners splash out on the B-segment cars, and even in the most popular C segment, hot hatch cars are the ones that get major publicity. It is pretty rare for “business” sedans, not to mention prestigious limousines to be "nipped and tucked" up to the very limits that give them the ability to make even the genuine sports cars “feel ashamed”…

The engineers from German tuning house MTM (Motoren-Technik-Mayer) apparently believe that the already complete and lavish product, such as the Audi RS6, still has enough potential to provide an additional injection of adrenaline. As a reminder, the Audi RS6 is the “flagship” sedan in the “business” car segment, with a very sporty character, primarily due to its potent V10 unit, supported by two turbochargers. In the standard version, the TFSI engine with a dry sump releases more than sufficient 580 hp and 650 Nm of torque, available already at 1,500 rpm! This means that it takes just 4.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, under 13 sec to reach 200 km/h, while its maximum speed is, traditionally, electronically limited to 250 km/h. If you, even for a moment, think that these numbers are still not impressive then there is the MTM RS6 Clubsport version.

Harmoniously wrapped in a combination of gray, black and orange foil, which costs dearly (2600 Euros!), MTM Clubsport version is almost no different from the standard model with the exception of some details. When I say “details”, I mean the carbon front splitter (1241 Euros), rear carbon diffuser (1283 Euros) and a set of 21 MTM Bimoto wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 305/30 ZR21 tires (unbelievable 6.695 Euros!).

You will certainly need them cause they provide excellent traction, and stability at high speeds largely depends on them. In addition, MTM provided an individually adjustable suspension system (from 10-40 mm front / 15-45 mm rear) which costs an additional 1467 Euros.

However, a real “jewel” and the most expensive modification (13,670 Euros) is located under the aluminum hood. Two Bosch DI-Motronic ME 9.1.2 control units were reprogrammed; turbine pressure is increased and the air filter was changed. That said, the power has risen up to 742 "ponies” with the fantastic 860 Nm of torque which is, in fact, limited because the transmission is unable to cope with anything more than that.

Of course, these data are accompanied by the appropriate changes to the complete exhaust system. That is, the pipes are made of stainless steel and in two of the four exhaust ports, there are so-called butterfly valves, in order to optimize the flow of the exhaust gases but also here to provide a more aggressive sound. Despite having as many as seven radiators and four fans which are in charge of “temperature containment”, the engine bay is, trust me, a real volcano!

What is left standard on this car is the transmission system, that is, Quattro drive, with the "open" front and rear differential (with the electronic lock - EDL) and the central Torsen T-3 ATB differential, which sends up to 80% of working torque to the front or up to 100% to the rear axle, depending on the conditions. This means that the MTM RS6 Clubsport can sprint like a race car - the needle reaches 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, 200 km/h in about 11 seconds, while the speed of 300 km/h is achieved after 32 seconds.

Maximum speed is just over 350 km/h after the "removal" of an electronic limiter. All of this is neatly accompanied by a six-speed ZF 6HP26A Tiptronic transmission, which can be operated manually using levers on the steering wheel. When choosing a lower gear, there is an automatic throttle blip to make this transition smoother and far less stressful for the engine and the transmission. In addition, the standard, albeit optional carbon-ceramic brakes are retained. By that, I mean the internally ventilated perforated discs, made of carbon fiber and reinforced by silicon-carbide, with a diameter of 420 mm, and eight piston Alcon monobloc calipers. Not only has it achieved the maximum stopping power, i.e. "close your eyes in case you re pressing the brake pedal to the floor, if you don t want your eyeballs to pop out right onto the windshield!", but the fading is reduced almost to zero.

The interior is enriched with racing carbon-fiber Recaro bucket seats (5430 euros) with six point harnesses (1750 Euros). In addition, the rear seats were removed making way for another security element which further stiffens the chassis – a roll-cage, costing 1980 euros. Of course, most of these things are on the option list; it is up to you to set aside 122,000 Euros for the basic RS6 (which includes carbon-ceramic brakes) and to arrange the rest with the engineers of MTM, depending on your wishes and needs, and possibly, reach the maximum of 158,116 Euros, which is the price of the test-car.

Dancing with the Devil
Regardless of the fact that I hung out with the MTM s Audi RS6 Clubsport for just one day (not counting our "meeting" in March, when we were greeted by a snow blizzard), I can definitely declare that this is one of the few cars that needs just one hour to simply get under your skin. Of course, this is not the Nissan GT-R or Porsche 911 GT3, which will destroy RS6 s lap times at the Nürburgring Nordschleife! No, it s neither intended for those things nor it should be treated that way.

It feels on its turf when effortlessly and voraciously swallowing endless miles of German autobahn; when beautiful yet not too demanding mountain roads are in front of it; when in a split second you may find yourself in need of overtaking a car ahead and continue with the "ironing of asphalt”… The power released is really brutal but not even for a moment too wild for the excellent Quattro drive. The acceleration that passengers will be subjected to is one of a kind and very hard to match. Indeed, it is a genuine, veritable devil and a very well camouflaged one - in a suit, patent shoes and a tie around its neck which he almost certainly will not hesitate to wrap around YOUR neck, if you just for a moment forget its purpose and push it beyond its limits.