ABT Does the New VW Golf GTI VI: 260HP and 300HP Versions

You knew it was coming: ABT Sportline's take on the sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI. Building on the basic GTI, the German firm's engineers first turned their motorsport-honed attention to the car's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot that delivers 210HP in standard form. The craftspeople at ABT developed two performance kits for the new GTI, with the first adding the usual ECU and exhaust system upgrades that lift output to 260 horsepower.

In addition to these enhancements, the second kit adds a new turbocharger that helps boost power to 300HP allowing the car to accelerate from rest to 100km/h or 62mph in under 6.0 seconds. In comparison, the factory Golf GTI VI sprints from 0 to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds.

Helping to improve the GTI's handling is a set of lower, stiffer springs plus a high-performance brake system and newly designed 18- or 19-inch alloys wrapped in beefier rubber.

The German tuners also developed an appearance package for the GTI that takes the red pin stripe theme to a new level. The kit consists of a new grille, front bumper with LED daytime lights and a lip spoiler, side skirts, roof spoiler and a rear diffuser that houses two pairs of diagonally positioned tail pipes.

And finally, the tuning folks at ABT upgraded the GTI's interior with red accents on the steering wheel, the instrument gauges the dashboard and the door trims.

ABT said that pricing for the comprehensive sport package for the new GTI will be announced at a later date.

ABT Audi Q7 V12 TDI gets 560 Diesel Ponies

Volkswagen Group tuning specialist ABT is turning up the wick on the diesel powered Audi Q7 V12 TDI. In standard form, the 6.0-liter V12 turbo diesel delivers an output of 500 HP and a maximum torque of 1,000 Nm or 738-lb/ft launching the Q7 from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h or 155mph. After ABT's intervention, the Q7's V12 diesel cranks out 560HP and 1,200 Nm or 885-lbs/ft of torque for 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 258km/h or 160mph.

ABT has yet to release any other details on its new creation, but expect the firm to offer numerous other upgrades for the SUV including larger alloy wheels, aerodynamic accessories and interior enhancements.

Summer Tuning: ABT Takes on the new Audi A5 Convertible

ABT Sportline, the German tuning house that has an appetite for VW Group products, has applied its tuning skills to the new Audi A5 Convertible. Similar to the A5 Coupe, ABT's AS5 tuning package offers power upgrades for most of the engines available in the A5 Convertible's engine range, with the 2.0-liter TFSIs producing 275HP instead of the factory models' 180HP and 211HP, the 2.7-liter TDI diesel 230HP, up from 190HP and the 3.0-liter, 282HP, or with a new ABT turbocharger, 310HP and 610Nm of torque, up from the stock engine's 240HP.

To harness the extra power, the tuning firm also offers an array of suspension and brake system upgrades.

Of course, no tuning package can be complete without visual enhancements. For the A5 Convertible, ABT has readied an aero kit that bundles a distinctive front apron, ABT's black grille, side skirts and a rear apron housing a quad-pipe exhaust system. Customers can also equip their car with a set of BR alloy wheels available in two sizes, 19- and 20-inches.

Factory Supported Audi R8 LMS to Compete at the 24h of Nurburgring

The competition is heating up for next month's 24-hours of Nurburgring as Audi has announced that it too will take part in the famed endurance race with four factory supported R8 LMS racecars, two for each of the ABT Sportsline and Phoenix Racing teams. The R8 LMS is a rear-wheel drive GT3 version of the German firm's mid-engined sportscar equipped with a 500HP-plus 5.2-liter FSI V10 that was developed by Audi's motorsport division for private customers and race teams alike.

"The 24 Hours is not only one of the biggest motorsport events in Germany," says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "The Nürburgring-Nordschleife is considered one of the world's toughest and most demanding race tracks. Similar to Sebring for the sports prototypes, it is superbly suited for revealing the final improvement potential of any new race car. This is exactly what we're planning to do at the 24-hour race before delivering the R8 LMS to customers, starting this fall."

The ABT Sportsline and Phoenix Racing teams will hit the 'Ring on May 23 with driver squads consisting of five current Audi "factory" drivers, four DTM Champions, four Le Mans winners and five drivers who have won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring at least once.

Among others they include the reigning DTM Champion Timo Scheider, who – together with his DTM teammate Mattias Ekström and three-time Le Mans winner Marco Werner – will compete for Team ABT Sportsline, and three-times 24h Nurburgring winner Hans-Joachim Stuck, who will pilot one of the cars of the Team Phoenix Racing.

The Audi teams at the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring:

Audi R8 LMS #97 (ABT Sportsline)

• Christian Abt (D)
  
• Jean-François Hemroulle (B)
  
• Pierre Kaffer (D)
  
• Lucas Luhr (D)
  

Audi R8 LMS #98 (Phoenix Racing)

• Marc Basseng (D)
  
• Frank Stippler (D)
  
• Mike Rockenfeller (D)
  

Audi R8 LMS #99 (Phoenix Racing)

• Frank Biela (D)
  
• Marcel Fässler (CH)
  
• Emanuele Pirro (I)
  
• Hans-Joachim Stuck (A)
  

Audi R8 LMS #100 (ABT Sportsline)

• Mattias Ekström (S)
  
• Timo Scheider (D)
  
• Marco Werner (D)
  

ABT's Tuning Packages for the Audi Q5 SUV

The self-proclaimed world's largest tuner of VW Group vehicles, ABT Sportsline, has published new photos of its modified Audi Q5. The German firm offers various performance packages for the compact SUV with power and style treatments across the range of trims. On the outside, ABT's bodykit that includes front and rear aprons, rocker panels, new grille, a relatively large roof spoiler plus various alloy wheels (up to 22-inches in diameter) work to create an aggressive look for the German SUV.

For the interior, ABT's tuning program includes a series of accessories ranging from the decorative inserts made of carbon-fiber to a full leather trim.

The more important news is under the hood as ABT's "power-kits' boost the 2.0 TDI diesel's output from 140 to 170HP, the 3.0 TDI diesel's from 240 to 310HP and the 2.0 TSI gasoline engine from 211 to 240HP with a 275HP version following in the next few months.

The engine upgrades can be complemented by a sport brake system with 380mm disc and a sport suspension that brings the SUV closer to the ground.

ABT Releases Details on 510HP AS5-R Audi S5 Coupe

In spite of the fact that it's only a matter of time before Audi replaces the current S5 Coupe's normally aspirated 354HP 4.2-liter V8 with the new S4 / S5 Convertible's 333HP supercharged 3.0 V6 TFSI, ABT Sportsline has created the AS5-R using the current S5 as a base. Thanks to a series of modifications that include changes to the engine management and the insertion of an ABT Compressor, the AS5-R 4.2 V8's performance is increased by an impressive 156 HP to a powerful 510 HP.

This results to a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 4.5 seconds (standard model: 5.1 sec) with the AS5-R continuing to accelerate up to its maximum speed of 292km/h or 182mph. Despite the significant increase in performance, the German tuner claims that consumption and tailpipe emissions still remain at the level of the series-produced vehicle.

ABT Sportsline fits the AS5-R with a new braking system with 380 millimetre disc diameter and an ABT Coil-over suspension system to help the S5 cope with the extra power.

The German tuning firm also sprinkles some extra aggression onto the body with a new front spoiler and grille, inner fender skirts, gill-shaped air inlets and a new rear skirt incorporating a 4-pipe rear muffler. The styling upgrades are completed with a "we-could-definitely-do-without-it" bi-colour paint scheme and a set of 20-inch BR alloy wheels.

ABT AS5-R: Modified Audi S5 with 510HP set for Geneva Debut

The Audi S5-based AS5-R from ABT Sportsline will be making its worldwide debut at next month's Geneva Show. ABT's tuning proposal for the most powerful variant of the A5 coupe includes an updated version of the current S5's 344HP 4.2-liter V8 engine that has been modified to produce an output of 510-horsepower. For the record, Audi is planning to replace the S5 Coupe's V8 with the recently introduced S5 Cabriolet's new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that develops 333HP.

ABT did not disclose any more information on the car, but aside from the engine-tune up, the AS5-R will also benefit from a new bodykit and larger alloy wheels along with a modified suspension and a more powerful braking system.

The German tuner's Geneva booth will also host the firm's latest creations including the ABT VW Sciorcco Coupe and the ABT Audi Q5 and R8.

ABT Sportsline Readying Modified KTM X-BOW with 300HP

As well as announcing the availability of KTM's unashamedly sportsbike-inspired X-BOW from its dealerships, VW Group tuning specialist ABT Sportsline, also revealed its plans to develop a more powerful version of the open-top road-racer. In standard form, the X-BOW is powered by a VW-sourced 2.0-liter TFSI engine with 240HP that launches the 790 kg / 1,742 lbs ultra lightweight sportscar from zero to (62 mph) 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

With the performance improvements that ABT Sportsline is working on, the 2.0 TFSI will deliver a hefty 300 HP. The German tuner said that it will provide more detailed information about the technical key data of X-BOW ABT version once the standard tests have been carried out.

In what concerns the availability of the X-BOW from its dealerships, as a large outlet partner, ABT Sportsline said that it will not only take on the sale of the car itself, but also all the service work on the vehicle.

ABT Audi Q5: New Bodykit and Tuning Packages with up to 310HP

German tuning house ABT Sportsline has released details on its new sport package for the Audi Q5 compact SUV that will be available for order within the first months of 2009. The latest member to join the ABT family gets a new bodykit that makes it look brawnier than its original counterpart mainly due to the fender extensions and the aggressively styled front skirt and grille. The range of aero parts also includes side skirts, a roof spoiler and a rear skirt that incorporates the 4-pipe-rear muffler. The new 20-inch alloy wheels complete the Q5’s looks. -Continued

Underneath the skin, ABT offers a range of power upgrades with the base 2.0 TFSI gasoline engine delivering 240 HP instead of 211 HP and the 2.0 TDI turbo diesel unit, 190 HP from 140 HP. As for the 3.0 TDI turbo diesel engine that develops 240 HP in standard form, ABT offers two power kits boosting output to 287 HP and 310 HP.

Handling improvements include a new set of 380mm diameter brake discs, sport springs that bring the Q5 closer to the ground and the ABT Level Control, an electronic lowering for the CDC air suspension (Continous Damping Control). (Opening image edited by Carscoop)

ABT Q5 - data and facts

Engine: 2.0 TFSI, 1984cc engine capacity, 4 cylinders
Performance upgrade: ABT Power
Performance: 240hp/177kW (series: 211hp/155kW)

Engine: 2.0 TDI, 1968cc engine capacity, 4 cylinders
Performance upgrade: ABT Power
Performance: 190hp/140kW (series: 170hp/125kW)

Engine: 3.0 TDI, 2967cc engine capacity, V6
Performance upgrade: ABT Power
Performance: 282hp/207kW (series: 240hp/177kW)

Engine: 3.0 TDI, 2967cc engine capacity, V6
Performance upgrade: ABT Power S
Performance: 310hp/228kW (series: 240hp/177kW)