MTM builds 347kW VW T5 van

A number of things stand out in the press release we’ve just received about the MTM T 500, but a good place to start would seem to be the point where MTM says this bonkers machine is something “an unsuspecting observer might mistake at first glance for a VW T5.”

That would make it a van, then. Just a shockingly fast one.

As is common with German tuning companies, MTM has changed so much stuff here that it takes over from Volkswagen as the “responsible automobile manufacturer” on the registration papers.

Possibly “responsible” isn’t exactly the right word.

Under the bonnet lies a significantly overhauled version of Audi’s 2.5-litre TFSI turbo petrol engine – the characterful 250kW five-cylinder unit that generally finds its home nestled within the TT RS and the RS3.

Here, though, it’s producing no less than 347kW and 625Nm of torque.

Gladly, there’s also a 4Motion four-wheel drive system, KW Street Comfort coil-over suspension and six-piston front brakes. Though MTM isn’t saying how quickly the T 500 will dispatch 0-100km/h, top speed is reputedly 280km/h. Yow.

Naturally the thing to do when you’ve completed this kind of project is put it on 20-inch alloy wheels, paint it like a giant German flag and roll it out at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

MTM’s self description in the same press release certainly seems apt: “high-tech for high performance, and the satisfaction of knowing ‘more is more’.”

And we thought this year’s Geneva was looking tame.

MTM has also been working on a 210kW version of the 2.0-litre TFSI Audi Q3. This will crack 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds – 2 seconds faster than standard – and hit nearly 250km/h.