Race Inspired Street Approved! Transforming Our Audi RS3 8Y into a BTCC-Inspired Show Car
11th Aug 2026
Recently, our Audi RS3 8Y underwent a transformation that went far beyond a fresh new look.
Earlier this year, Awesome's Managing Director, Mark, announced an exciting new partnership as Awesome became an official sponsor of the Power Maxed Racing (PMR) BTCC Audi S3 driven by Dexter Patterson. With PMR campaigning a fleet of Audi S3 8Ys throughout the 2026 British Touring Car Championship season, we saw the perfect opportunity to create something special.
Working closely with the team at Power Maxed Racing, we transformed our RS3 8Y into the ultimate road-going tribute to PMR's BTCC car 17 Audi S3. Featuring the same striking livery and a host of carefully chosen upgrades, our RS3 now showcases the perfect blend of motorsport inspiration and everyday drivability.
From Factory Fresh to Industry Icon: The Evolution of the Awesome RS3 8Y
For the Awesome RS3 project, the goal was to take this already impressive platform and transform it into a true flagship machine — a BTCC-inspired build that combines road-going usability with motorsport character, sharper dynamics and enhanced performance.
Starting with the foundations, the chassis was upgraded with Ohlins Road & Track coilovers to deliver improved handling, adjustability and a more focused driving experience.
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-car/audi/rs3-8y/ohlins-road-track-coilover-kit-rs3-8y/
RacingLine stud and nut hardware was added to provide a motorsport-inspired finishing touch while improving wheel security and durability.
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/racingline/racingline-wheel-stud-nut-kit-m14x1-50/
The RS3’s stance was completed with OZ Rally wheels.
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-car/volkswagen/golf-mk7/wheels/oz-rally-racing-wheels-4-mqb/
Performance enhancements centred around unlocking more potential from Audi’s five-cylinder powerhouse.
A RacingLine PCM tuning box was fitted, helping increase output to 470hp on our Dynojet dyno, while a RaceChip XLR5 pedal tuning system improved throttle response and driver engagement.
https://www.awesomegti.com/pcm-audi-rs3-8y/
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-car/audi/rs3-8y/racechip-xlr-app-rs3-8y/
Supporting the increased performance, the engine received a full intake upgrade package with Forge Motorsport components, including the carbon fibre induction kit and high-flow turbo inlet elbow, improving airflow and allowing the turbocharged five-cylinder engine to breathe more efficiently.
https://www.awesomegti.com/forge-motorsport-carbon-fibre-induction-kit-for-audi-rs3-8y-8v/
Cooling performance was also upgraded with a Forge Motorsport intercooler, designed to improve charge-air temperatures and maintain consistent performance under harder driving conditions.
Completing the powertrain transformation, a Milltek Race GPF-back exhaust system enhanced the RS3’s character with a more aggressive exhaust notes while complementing the increased performance of the build.
https://www.awesomegti.com/milltek-gpf-back-exhaust-system-audi-rs3-8y-saloon-sedan/
While the RS3 8Y started as a highly capable road car, bringing the BTCC-inspired vision to life required a series of carefully considered changes.
So, what exactly did we change?
When we first unveiled our Awesome RS3 8Y, it proudly wore our signature red and black livery celebrating 34 years of Awesome, turning heads wherever it went. But we are now in our 37th year (2026) and with our partnership with Power Maxed Racing for the 2026 BTCC season, we knew it was time for the next chapter.
Working alongside the PMR team, the RS3 underwent a complete visual transformation, leaving the familiar Awesome branding behind, in favour of the iconic PMR BTCC race-inspired design.
Finished in the same striking white, yellow and black colours as PMR's BTCC Audi S3 8Y race cars, the car now looks every bit the part in the paddock while remaining fully road legal. The result is more than just a fresh wrap—it's a rolling showcase of our collaboration with Power Maxed Racing and a road-going tribute to one of Britain's most competitive touring car teams.
The Rear Wing
One of the most eye-catching additions to the build is the rear boot wing. Inspired by the aerodynamic styling seen in touring car racing, it gives the RS3 a much more purposeful and aggressive rear profile.
Sharpening the Look: Adding the Maxton Design Full Body Kit
To give our RS3 8Y the aggressive presence expected from a BTCC-inspired flagship, we fitted the Maxton Design full body kit, adding a sharper and more purposeful visual identity to the platform.
The kit enhances the RS3’s factory lines with a combination of front splitter, side skirts, side spats and diffuser.
Designed to complement the car’s performance upgrades, the Maxton components bridge the gap between road and race, giving the RS3 the kind of attitude and presence you would expect from a touring car-inspired build while maintaining the refined styling that makes the 8Y platform so distinctive.
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-car/audi/rs3-8y/?_bc_fsnf=1&SubPart=Bodystyling&brand=111
Rolling on Racingline Cup EVO Alloys
No BTCC-inspired build would be complete without the right set of wheels.
To complement the car's bold new livery, we replaced the factory alloys with a set of RacingLine Cup EVO alloys.
Their lightweight, motorsport-inspired design not only transforms the RS3's stance but also perfectly captures the race-ready aesthetic we were aiming for. Finished in gloss black, the Cup EVOs provide a striking contrast against the white, yellow and black wrap, tying the whole build together.
Beyond the looks, their reduced weight helps improve handling and responsiveness, making them the perfect combination of style and performance for our BTCC-inspired RS3.
The wheels on this RS3 are a special order ET35 with 16mm spacers the “standard” size Cup Evo’s can be found here:
https://www.awesomegti.com/racingline-cup-edition-evo-8-5j-x-18inch-alloy-wheel-set-gloss-black/
Dialling in the Perfect Stance with KW Plug and Play Coilovers
To give the RS3 the handling and stance to match its new motorsport-inspired appearance, we upgraded the suspension with a set of KW Plug & Play coilovers.
Engineered specifically for vehicles equipped with factory adaptive dampers, the KW Plug & Play kit integrates seamlessly with the original electronic suspension system while delivering a significant improvement in both performance and aesthetics.
The adjustable ride height allows the RS3 to sit lower for a more purposeful, planted stance, perfectly filling the arches and complementing the RacingLine Cup EVO alloys.
On the road, the result is sharper turn-in, improved body control and greater confidence through every corner, all while retaining the comfort and functionality of the factory adaptive damping system.
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-car/kw-ddc-coilovers-audi-rs3-8y/
Unlocking the RS3's True Potential with RacingLine Software
With the RS3's appearance now matching its motorsport-inspired identity, it was time to further the performance to match.
Thanks to the latest ECU unlock, the RS3 is now testing RacingLine Performance Stage 1+ development software, to unleash even more of the legendary 2.5 TFSI engine's potential.
The recalibrated software delivers sharper throttle response, increased power and torque, and a more engaging driving experience throughout the rev range.
The Ultimate Road-Going BTCC Tribute
What started as an already impressive Audi RS3 8Y, it has now evolved into something truly unique—a road-going tribute to the Power Maxed Racing BTCC Audi S3 Touring Car.
From its striking race-inspired livery and aggressive aerodynamic upgrades to the Street Approved RacingLine Cup EVO alloys, KW Plug and Play coilovers and performance-enhancing RacingLine software, every modification has been carefully chosen to create the perfect blend of style, performance and motorsport heritage.
This build is more than just a showcase car; it represents our passion for performance, our partnership with Power Maxed Racing, and what's possible when the right components come together.
Whether you've been inspired to upgrade your own RS3 or simply enjoyed following the transformation, this is just the beginning. Keep an eye on our channels for more exciting builds, new products and behind-the-scenes content as our journey with PMR continues.
