400 WHP 2012 Audi A3 Quattro Sleeper - One Take

While we've spent time on the track with the newest generation Audi A3 from Revo, with a big turbo swap for 400 crank HP. Now, Kyle has come down all the way from Colorado for me to try his last-generation Audi A3 DSG Quattro that must be in the top 5 sleepers I've ever driven. Making 400 HP at the wheels on pump gas (at altitude!) and looking completely stock on the outside, this little hatchback can definitely put sports car owners on notice.

[@sneeroh]

Everyone complaining about wheel gap and swirl marks. He lives in COLORADO. Guarantee there is a foot of snow on the ground where he lives, give him a break. Cool car.

[@oneslowwdsm]

I would forgive the wheel gap if it weren't for the horrendous wheels. RPF1s are nice and all but not on a station wagon Audi. They just don't work IMO the stock wheels are probably nicer.

[@chrissorreda4982]

+RomanCandlle weren't you listening? "They're strong, they're light' and they're cheap." Unless you wanna be fancy, what more do you need?

[@audiwankenobi361]

Matt it's totally commendable the way that you respond to people complaining about the audio setup....I don't know when these folks are gonna get it that you're trying to fix the problems.

[@TheSmokingTire]

People just don't get quite how many of these I shoot and edit in batch. I finished and uploaded at least 15 videos with the new setup before the first one even aired. So I appreciate their suggestions but they need to understand any changes will take literally weeks to see from the user end.

[@Darren.G]

+TheSmokingTire that, and it might help if people understood audio isnt a one size fits all item either. It'll never be 100% perfect across 100% of devices.

[@audiwankenobi361]

The strange thing for me is since I've been subscribed to the one-takes the audio has been good enough for me to atleast get since of the car and hear exactly what's being said...I never was expecting some type of Warner Bros production here.....the one-takes got a raw,random feel to them and that's how I would want them to be if I were doing them on a schedule.

[@Adam-tm7qh]

for what's essentially a vlog the audio is fine.

[@aaronjackson9867]

+TheSmokingTire I'm actually an audio engineer (Let's call it technician to not offend any ACTUAL engineers) and I have no problem with your audio 99% of the time. It's like people expect that everybody has a car that's a treated recording studio or something. I mean come the hell on people -_-

[@Mph337]

Matt, the detail with launch control that everyone fails to mention is that you have to press the brake down all the way down to the foot well... and then press the throttle.

[@scanspeak00]

Aside from the cool cars and chat, I really enjoy the scenery in these clips.

[@Andrew-tz1cc]

Why is everyone complaining about the audio? Its not bad at all and just be thankful these awesome videos are available to watch.

[@bufu12388]

Is it just me or does Kyle look like a white Morpheus from the matrix

[@brendanw3534]

Haha I thought you were in a rock avalanche for a second there! Very cool sleeper man thanks you two for review!

[@TheCobruhAlienat0r]

+BRENDAN W I thought there was a rock in the road with the way he reacted and the sound.

[@alexstern3583]

Did this guy drive 16 hours for a one take?

[@Revitalyzed]

Hell, I'd drive all the way from Toronto, Canada just to shake Matt's hand.

[@CUZC0M]

+JoshorBrownKid then whats stopping you? its sure easy to talk....

[@TheCobruhAlienat0r]

+simonburkeisable Probably flew there, then drove back.

[@YouArentSlick]

I could see why honestly. Every person who tuned their car thinks it's the best (like how a father thinks his son is the best child) and I'd love to show mine off lol every true car guy loves giving a parts list/explanation of their car. This is a great way to do that lol plus sometimes random trips are fun. Be spontaneous, look up some random restaurant a tank of gas away from where you are and go on an adventure lol.

[@DANTEISZCOO]

+JoshorBrownKid I want to smoke a blunt with matt

[@st0nedPt]

Matt, from the Audis that I know for launch to kick-in you have to smash the throttle all the way. If you don't do that it will fight the breaks (as it did in the video). Sequence: Sport in S-tronic or Dynamic in ADS, one click in the ESP (so ASR off), left foot break and throttle all the way.

[@TheSmokingTire]

This is not user error. I am very familiar with how these things work. This same thing happens in nearly every Audi I drive

[@st0nedPt]

+TheSmokingTire Yeah am sure you have driven far more Audis then I did. Just trying to relate my experience to what happened in the video. Didn't wanted to sound too harsh or critical. I just made the comment because I had what happens in the video happen to me until I started doing it by swiftly crushing the throttle all the way down (including pressing the kick-down button). After that it has worked for me time and time again.

[@shadiabdelhadi2341]

+TheSmokingTire I own an a3 similar mods tune, turbo upgrade ect, but this happens to me as well I have played with the launch and noticed that if the car is not relaxed or its on a hill or any kind of force from stepping on the car and then just trying to launch it , it won't work I have had to put it in neutral first and then try again seems to be something that try's to keep the engine safe I guess

[@Ustra13]

+TheSmokingTire Put it in "Sport" , Traction Off. Brake and gas all the way, after it revved up, release brake and go .. did this 100 times already, never had a single failure ( RS6, RS7, SQ5 ...)

[@montystevens1949]

+Tim Ust EXCELLENT post! The key to getting a consistent launch using launch control on the A3 is to TURN THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF and as you've already stated, sport mode, brake, gas, release the brake-full throttle-enjoy.

[@AggroJack94]

damn that paintjob could really get polished once in a while

[@derekhartley4480]

United Motorsports are pretty impressive tuners, they did a special tune for me as well. And they made a special trip up here to toronto to tune a bunch of locals cars, can't say enough good things about them.

[@stvyFROSTY]

For launching you have to put it in Sport, turn of the TC, hold the brake and mash on the gas. I've got the DSG as well, very nice transmission

[@CubanRider]

That's the thing I've found with APR, you might be down 50 hp, but their tune is reliable to avoid going into limp mode.

[@progmanmike]

Cuban Rider Daily drive ability and not paying a butt load for a custom tune are valuable traits to have on your daily driver

[@El_Jefe_S3]

Disagree. APR tunes are off shelf mass produced tunes. Nothing beats a custom designed specifically for your motors capabilities. I think what you are referring to is “tuner ethics” some are unfortunately uneducated and trusted to easy and therefor at the cost of your motor you learn the hard way. Know your tuners before you jump balls deep into a money pit.

[@jo05dk]

I'm still surprised when i see what modern engines, with the correct tune, can deliver, while behaving and sounding perfectly civilized. This Audi is freaking fast. Kudos.

[@Darren.G]

Love the A3.....but jeez do I hate the front seats. IMO (being a 6'4" string bean) it literally feels like sitting on a brick with concrete side bolstering. Good stuff Matt, Keep em coming!

[@meatamigo3428]

LAUNCH CONTROL TIPS. Along with pushing the brake pedal down REALLY hard you have to make sure it's pushed all the way down BEFORE you put any input into the accelerator pedal.

[@ddaripalli8434]

Matt- In Audis to defeat the traction control in order to do a proper launch, you need to disable both modes for TC. If you just press the button once it only turns off ESP, but when you hold the button down from ON it goes from ESP off to Traction Off, takes about 3 seconds. Before/after you do that, put the car into Dynamic mode or the sport mode, foot on the brake, mat the gas, and dump the brakes once you build revs. Thats how it works in my APR B8.5 S5.

[@JmanEspresso]

Very impressed with this A3. Love Audis, so its not surprising I love this one. Im thinking of moving on from my B5S4, might even consider an A3. Love the look of them in hatch trim for sure. The sedan can just take a hike off a cliff. Sorry if anyone likes the Sedan.

[@wedgoku]

I have 18x8 +45 Enkei RPF1(Silver same color as this video) on my 2002 Subaru WRX wagon, I really love those wheels very strong & light weight compared to even the stock OE 16" wheels! Also people saying in the comments rpf1 are old is kinda silly, wheels DON'T expire. These wheels have a proven track record of people using them on the race track & being very light weight, Couldn't ask for more- amazing wheels!~

[@bbpleg]

Very cool sleeper! I'm from Scandinavia and I just recently visited Denver, Colorado. I was shocked to see how many people were running all season tires! Why isn't normal to run summers and winters? You guys have really cold weather and so on. Tires have got to be just about the most important thing on the car.

[@flyingsquirrel9996]

I have a '12 A3 too and if mine had AWD, I would definitely do this at some point. I'm running APR stage 2 and it lights up the front wheels any time I give it more than half throttle under 30MPH.

[@Noel127]

Bcuz you got stock engine mounts and dog bone...

[@BigTurboA3]

Decker Canyon is my go to spot. Sharp turns to prove handling and some minor straight to get thru 2-3 gears

[@TheS1PikesPeak]

Running 400WHP on ´91 Pumpgas and Wondering why the Engine dont like to Pull after First gear...

[@mxracingunlimitedltd7784]

Nice vid. Seems like a cool audi. So Matt, what are your top 5 favorite states. I heard you mentioned that your number 2 state is Colorado. Im guessing #1 is Cali? Im from the East Coat ( NY), so i enjoy watching the videos for the cool variety of cars and the AWESOME roads and scenery! Keep up the one takes i love them. I have a 6MT 335i coupe so i enjoyed the 1M videos and the 135's & 335's in some of the one-takes. You need to drive a modified E92 M3 and a supercharged E92 M3! Anthony

[@TheSmokingTire]

+Anthony G California, Colorado, New York, Texas, South Carolina in that order

[@kmuth2102]

+TheSmokingTire Totally agree the Carolinas are underrated driving country.

[@mxracingunlimitedltd7784]

All states i want to visit. Driving to some of them might be un-realistic, but the carolina's and this Dragon Run I'm hearing about isn't too far from me. Upstate NY has some really good mountain roads that are well maintained as long as you go well after the snow is gone and they have a chance to clean everything up. Some nice scenery too in the fall. Also lots of different lakes and mountain passes, view points to stop at.

[@anthonymason701]

+TheSmokingTire when you mentioned Colorado being your second favorite state, i could almost see and hear a chuckle. its fine Matt, we know... we know... 😆. for some, it really does help. others just abuse.

[@devintolliver92]

+TheSmokingTire Come through Indy and smoke with the homie Matt.

[@MrClimberdave]

Turn off traction control, put the transmission in Sport, mash the brake and gas at the same time (RPM's will hover between 3k and 4k), remove foot from brake and LAUNCH!

[@gs2904]

reverse that, put it into sport and HOLD the traction button until everything is turned off (takes about 5 seconds) then it's ready for launch

[@theshonen8899]

Finally. I've been looking for info on these cars for so long. A tuned A3 hatch is supposed to be like a four door R32.

[@detective3728]

+theshonen8899 Its based on the Golf, so yes.. But you can get the 3,2 FSI in the A3..

[@justinbeamon6624]

I love R32's to death but if you want to make power you have to put 3-4k for a turbo with nothing in between except for the measly 20 hp tunes with full bolt ons. You'll be blowing past the r32 by truck lengths with $500

[@kells77]

+Chrstian “Driver” mrclep and it's a shit as it is in the golf

[@mattheusranger3878]

VAG double clutch gearboxes have temp sensors. If the transmission gets too hot, the ECU limits power to protect the transmission. It seems that that failed launch control starts may have slipped the clutch plates too much causing excess heat and thus the "limp mode".

[@6SpeedTA95]

Man guys, gotta do something about the audio being so spotty the last month or so. Usually super quiet, speakers are cranked on the macbook, and then inconsistent throughout the video. Great vid, cool car!

[@atomictyler]

Awesome. When I was looking into cars this was one of my serious considerations. Stage 3 and all.

[@alpe6228]

Just a cheap audi a3 with a bigger turbo,I absolutely love those cheap build haha great video!

[@zalien6]

Matt just needs to make it more known that he's trying to get around some of these cars, sometimes he'll be like 6 car lengths away wondering if they'll let him through😂

[@DATAWAYSRSA]

Hey Kyle, For your brakes, id highly suggest EBC. Get their GD series disc's and Yellowstuff pads. I had a B7 A4 2.0T with a GT2781RS also pushing around 400whp but to the fronts haha and ill say that after doing the EBC upgrade their, i wont look anywhere else when doing brakes again in the future as they were beyond brilliant and not too expensive.

[@chillrasta12]

I didn't know A3s were even available with AWD and the 2.0t. I thought AWD was limited to only the 3.2

[@bottomlayer]

Nice car. How has the DSG reliability been? How many miles? Too bad you didn't get the panoramic sunroof :( The full power at altitude is attainable since modern engine management and the MAF can compensate for the thinner air. Can you just brake torque in a DSG? Or will it cut off the throttle when the brakes are applied?

[@dashcamcalifornia5003]

well now I want an A3. what a great car. this is how you mod your car right.

[@bneyens]

I am from Colorado. It's a pet peeve of mine when people quote altitude adjusted hp numbers. The local shop crank up the adjustment to ridiculous levels so they impress the customer with their upgrades. What is most important is before/after gain. People around here think they make insane power at altitude while people at sea level scratch their heads at the numbers, it's not reality

[@anthonybravo5176]

Hey Matt, I have terrible hearing from shooting guns. So I really don't know what everybody complains about. Keep up the great work and I'm looking forward to chucks vette, heard you got it up to 145 on the straight ;)

[@echahly]

As usual loving the content Matt!

[@planchernewfinish]

check Ksport big brake kit had 13'' with 8pot caliper on track had no fade with race pads. the pads are the same size as the st-60 stop tech. had Ksports on my a3 , a4, a8. excellent product and cheaper than anything on the market...

[@kwxst_lxttxrhxvd]

I have an ‘08 A3 and I love it but it’s getting up there in mileage. The newer ones don’t come to the US and I really want a newer 2018-20 “wagon”. I don’t have many options. Any thoughts??

[@integrafreak1]

Matt's a very smart businessman withthis one take set up

[@ThePavin]

Great job Matt, would really be great to hear more about power bands and specifically how engines feel etc, like you started to do in this one for your other videos.

[@Zarozh]

I own a 2007 A4 quattro, how come the american made cars are not manual shifts? You would not have that power issue if u had manual :/

[@jonathanpeterson1]

They are just less common. My B7 is Tiptronic. The people buying these new aren't typically enthusiast, so they more commonly buy auto.

[@StefanSchluter]

Yeah Denver baby! You have to be a skier though... I miss being able to go whenever I wanted and mobbing up through the mountains!

[@CrossWindsPat]

+Stefan Schluter I have gone snowboarding 4 times now and I seriously can't find a good reason why I haven't left everything behind to live in the mountains and do that shit for the rest of my life.

[@dirkdiggler5647]

I don't get why people are complaining about the wheel gap lol. This is his winter set up and he is from Colorado

[@rblbatb]

Cool car. Dig the look and the function. Well done sir.

[@noob-ennings5316]

I have same setup, but stayed away from APR, 495hp with unitronic stage 3 big turbo tune.

[@MrSlowestD16]

Super sleeper status unlocked right there!!

[@KirkTheGod]

what road is that where he turned right onto? that view going down to the ocean is amazing

[@BerlinettaFerrari]

I'm going to just have to send you my RS6 soon, you are loving on the Audi's lately!!!

[@squirlesg2228]

The fact you actually got this guy to put his hands together with you and make little prayer hands is hilarious to me lmfao

[@razerone49]

Nice 8p. Good luck with UM...hopefully nothing breaks and hopefully u don't run into weird issues that Jeff claims is normal when u send him the logs

[@dasteknoviking]

Wanted to correct something : stock turbo is not a BorgWarner K03- that's stock on FSi BPY. The TSi like this CCTA is IHI boosted, it's smaller than a K03. I have one laying in my garage off my SportWagen 2.0T. Why spend all this money on a GTX turbo kit when TTE420 and good tune will make 400 at the wheels on a stock motor? Quite a few cars making 420-430whp with stock like powerband.

[@DJ_DAV_iD]

+Michael Jez IHI turbo is for the MQB chassis, this is k03 as its the 8p chassis. and i would bet he hasn't upgraded the fuel pressure return valve with an RS4 one, this would cause the power dip suffered on these engines.

[@dasteknoviking]

+Dav Scanlon this is a TSi and they do not have a K03. No need for upgraded fuel pressure valve either. My car with 360whp runs a completely stock fuel system

[@DJ_DAV_iD]

This is a turbo fsi EA113 engine, 2012 is when then switched to EA288 family tsi. On higher output 2.0t fsi's (Golf mk6 R, Scirocco R, Audi S3 8P) these used ko4-064 with forged pistons. FSI are belt driven, the TSi are the newer chain driven with the IHI turbo, the new golf R and S3 8v use the IHI38 turbo.

[@dasteknoviking]

+Dav Scanlon only way to get an A3 Quattro is TSi or 3.2. All FSi were FWD just like the TDi.

[@dasteknoviking]

+Dav Scanlon and Gen1 TSi actually came out in 08.5 on the VW side. I got a 09 with a TSi under the hood. EA888 also has forged pistons but the rods are still the weak spot.

[@chunzeng3037]

3.8 is like a s6 power nice!

[@DJ_DAV_iD]

I'd be interested to know the full spec, and if the hpfp and fuel pressure valve have been changed.?

[@thatsInzeyne]

Matt, any idea whether there will be an E46 M3 in a one take soon? My Dad has a VF Supercharged M3 but i doubt you'd want to come to the UK just for one car haha!

[@johnwebster9699]

I thought the difference was only around 5 between RON and AKI?

[@mattlee3388]

+TheSmokingTire nice voice work on Forza 6...I had no idea you were on the game! Very cool!

[@mndayman]

lmao those Audi wipers so unpredictable, you never know what setting they're on

[@charleslu7044]

So do you guys know who invented intermittent wipers? Lucas electrics...

[@ttheblonde]

seems like a sick build

[@johnwebster9699]

Love the tuning modifications, it's such a shame you guys can't get the 99 octane fuel as you can get at every pump in the UK. Not sure why US fuel lower grade?

[@maximerousseau]

RON vs AKI, the methodology is different but the fuel is pretty much equivalent.

[@Manhole87]

Because the us has legislation that says they can't lie about the octane in fuel... Unlike uk and Australia. If u actually test the fuels I guarantee they aren't accurate..

[@kevink400]

Nice car, but needs to be lowered. Looks like the APR stage 3 included a lift kit.

[@Issa4banger]

Link for the turbo kit and what he has on the car ??

[@Simple_tl]

Rag3LowKey you really commenting on a two-year-old video asking for a link. like he's going to reply. he barely replies to his new videos lol

[@CrossWindsPat]

LOL RPF1's nice. To small for me I would have definitely gone an inch bigger but dude those wheels are soooo much lighter than the OEM ones I bet. Edit: I see he lives in colorado so I kinda now see the need for a meaty tire.

[@TheGlassAct]

I think you should try recording the in-car audio in mono. That could fix the left-right balance problems.

[@rckhalsa]

Great review and nicely tuned car. thanks Matt

[@CRatcliffe]

I'm curious if he's running sae correction factors on the dyno in Denver

[@ericsondergard]

Wish you could my fiesta Matt. Just installed gt2860rs big turbo on my fiesta. Getting the tune dialed in right now. Then doing an ethonal tune. Unfortunately I'm here in stl.

[@livalittle100]

Don't like all the 2.0 turbo engines from VW burn oil? Not hating just what I've heard.

[@DrSlideit]

livalittle100 about a quart every 2000 miles.

[@PepegaPig]

the car is nice. will be improved when the upgraded brakes and suspension. ttrs / rs3 brakes are a good bolt on upgrade in the UK there is a huge tfsi 2.0 turbo tuning market with wide variety of turbo / tunes i do not think there is 400 wheel horse power running us 91 octane (uk 95 octane) without risking knock from too much advance. pcv delete and inlet valve clean also help. on us 93 octane / uk 98 i would say 400 crank bhp is possible with the gtx2867r and supporting mods and estimate 350-365 wheel bhp due to haldex drive train losses. still a very nice engine and apr build.

[@PepegaPig]

also matt the lack of power intermittent may be due to dsg oil temperature limits . dsg has many parameters

[@mhn3773]

wow really love that wagon

[@GethinJames]

Typical stage 3... I was running stage 3 on my 1.8t and it was so finicky. It would go in and out of boost... etc... BTW - those are not snow duty tires mate... stage 3 turbo lag sucks... fun when in the power but around town low RPM sucks. Love audis though! Nicely done mate!

[@Cloxxki]

Sleepers are nice, but seems a spendy way to go about it, so many things done to it? And half of the time the power was not even there?

[@smgs921]

it doesn't have that much done to it compared to alot of other tuned cars making that kind of power. big turbo, injectors, intake, downpipe, fmic, rods and pistons, exhaust, and engine and tranny tune isn't that much to put down 400awhp.

[@TheSmokingTire]

The car was suffering from a bad cool pack, hence the power loss. It's been fixed and is good to go

[@Cloxxki]

***** Stock apart from wheels. Perhaps that does not qualify?

[@Cloxxki]

***** Then I agree.

[@Cursalock]

+Fappolice it's a little Audi wagon that is usually found in grocery store parking lots with less than half the hp this guy is running. It anonymous aside from the exhaust at wide open throttle.

[@SlingSalsa]

colorado power!

[@ShakaLakaMTB]

Awesome car and review! Thanks Matt!

[@michaeldisieno3465]

I have an 8p A3 as well. Does he have a wheelwell so I can look up his turbo setup?

[@jacobhauenstein]

What do you have to do to get The Smoking Tire to drive your car?

[@TheBowerbird]

Love the car (biased by being an A3 owner), but damn someone teach this guy how to wash his car! So many swirl marks! Wheels need reversion to stock ones as well.

[@SergeantRoosters]

can you flip the audio in stereo it sounds a bit weird as you have it flipped, but in mono its great

[@YouThubez]

What was the thing that passed when u starting the video?

[@dbauernf]

Invert the stereo plz! :o EDIT: MONO! Even better!

[@SaKuLification]

+dbauernf mono would be fine anyway

[@dbauernf]

+SaKuLification Yes, agreed, even better!

[@TheSmokingTire]

I tried converting to mono, it REALLY sounds like shit. The problem has been addressed going forward

[@mattclose1439]

+Inna7e They quit using wheel well a few videos back, you'll notice none are posted anymore.

[@RomeoKiloLimaWasTaken]

+Matt Close do you know why?

[@SuperMowZ]

How many cars have you killed the power in ? :-D

[@marcinczyz9159]

The owner doesn't know what the stock turbo on his car was. This generation of 2.0T (EA888) came with IHI turbochargers, not the Borg Warner k03.

[@Cornwall1888]

What is a mustang dyno I keep hearing they are different somehow they underrate the cars performance?

[@TheSmokingTire]

Different brands of dyno seem to read differently. mustang is a brand of dyno, that is known for its numbers showing lower than other dynos

[@aimstylus]

+1 for United Motorsport. I have them on my car and will only run them in the future.

[@qidthekid]

Got a sleeper, guess you gotta dress the part too lol, no offence to anyome, I did not mean it in any bad way.

[@Albanianguy9]

When will you review the e60 m5? Or the m6 with a v10

[@kjz28]

OOOO wow you see that?! Look at that Lincoln Premiere!

[@BeachJedi101]

It's weird, I mean it's not perfect, but I've never had an issue with the audio. No high pitch noises, droning etc..

[@coreyscarrepairs]

From Colorado? Sunglasses? Checks out.

[@rafaelmarques4105]

Matt, as a gti owner I'd be extremely happy if you did a mk5 gti one take

[@New777Wine]

Why won't they allow overtakes down these roads?

[@nonyabusiness8693]

I wouldn't really say big turbo. I would say upgraded turbo..but nice car overall. 400 crank hp, is a lot different than at the wheels as well..

[@masoncoffee7411]

That Volvo s60r in the background tho

[@sonnyman2000]

Looking forward to that S60!

[@ryan708_vids]

anything with rpf1's is not a sleeper haha. but totally sick car. i looked at these before buying my saab.

[@TheBMH28]

front mount??

[@tkadn338]

Matt did an extra long one take for the friend because he came all the way from the other state, almost fell asleep lol

[@lopon12]

dsg shift farts sound so cool