ABT Powers Up the New Volkswagen Golf GTD Diesel to 190HP

Volkswagen Group tuning specialist ABT has set its eyes on the new Golf GTD offering a range of power and styling treatments. The GTD's 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine receives a 20-pony and 40 Nm increase to 190-horsepower and 390 Nm (288 lb-ft) of maximum torque trimming 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration from 8.1 seconds to 7.1 seconds - always according to ABT. Top speed increases from 222 km/h to 230 km/h (143mph).

Other available performance goodies include a sport suspension that lowers the car's ride height by around 30mm and a new exhaust system with a throatier sound.

As you'd expect from ABT, the German tuner also offers a full bodykit which is similar to the one available for the GTI and includes a front spoiler, front grille, side sills, rear spoiler and a rear apron with an integral diffuser housing the quad tailpipes.

A set of 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance tires completes the package.

ABT Fine Tunes the New VW Polo, Gets Up to 130 Diesel or Gasoline Ponies

We don't know when (or if, for that matter) Volkswagen will drop a high-output version of its 1.4-TSI along with a GTI badge on the fifth-generation Polo, but until then, buyers can head over to ABT as the German firm launched a new tuning programme for the supermini. Under the hood, ABT's power kit boosts the output of the base version of the 1.6-liter TDI turbo diesel from 75HP to 90HP, the 90HP version to 110HP and the 105HP variant of the same unit, to 130HP. For the 1.2-liter TSI gasoline engine, ABT's programme lifts output from 105HP to 130HP.

ABT says that despite the power upgrades, fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures remain at the same level as the stock engines.

The tuning firm upgrades the chassis of the Polo with a new set of springs that drops ride height a few millimeters while buyers may also opt for a subtle aero kit that includes a carbon fiber roof spoiler and rear apron that houses twin tailpipes along with a set of 18-inch titanium colored alloy wheels and special decals.

For the interior, ABT's offerings are limited to an aluminum gearshift knob and specific floor mats. Pricing (and real-life photos...) are to be announced closer to the launch date later on in the year.

DUI: ABT Creates One-Off Audi A5 Convertible Special for Radeberger Pilsner...

DUI as in 'designing under the influence'... You see, some things in this life, such as asking a German tuner to create a one-off special for a German brewery, are just not meant to be. We understand that this is a promotional vehicle with Radeberger Pilsner's traditional black and gold color scheme but, well, let's just say that the photos speak for themselves. Anyway, aside from the ABT two-tone bodykit, chunky alloy wheels and logos, the special A5 Cabrio gets a red leather interior with Radeberger's name embroidered on the headrests and the floor mats.

ABT also equipped the A5 Convertible with a pair of LCD screens that are mounted on the back of the front headrests while another highlight is the drink cooler located under the center armrest.

Pop up the bonnet and you'll find a tweaked version of Audi's 2.0-liter TFSI that has received a series of upgrades boosting output to 275HP, up from 180HP. ABT says that the drop top A5 can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.7 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 271 km/h or 169 mph. The ride and handling are improved as well with brake and suspension upgrades.

The one-off ABT Radeberger Audi A5 Cabrio special will be raffled off in Germany sometime before the end of the year.

KTM Backs ABT Sportsline 300HP Power Upgrade for X-BOW

As well as backing up ABT Sportline's aftermarket performance kit for the X-BOW, KTM also released UK pricing for the upgrade that raises the 2.0-liter TFSI engine's output from 240HP to 300HP and maximum torque from 310Nm to 400Nm. The upgrade that is sold as an aftermarket package and can be retrofitted to all X-BOW models costs £5,300 (about €8,700) including VAT and fitting, and comes with a two year warranty.

Lifting the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio to 380HP per tonne, the ABT-prepped X-BOW launches from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.5 seconds or 0.4 seconds faster than the 240HP factory model.

"X-BOW's racecar-inspired chassis and sophisticated aerodynamic package have always given owners the ability to go head-to-head with some of the world's most exotic machinery," said Jeff Lau, KTM's X-BOW Manager for the UK.

"This power upgrade will ensure that X-BOW owners seeking an even more extreme experience can do so in total confidence, building upon the quality assurance of the expert engineering and exquisite finish for which X-BOW is recognised."

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.

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.

Power to the People: ABT Tunes the VW Golf VI

If you're looking for a little more zest out of your 2009 Golf VI, then you might want to take a look at the new tuning packages from VW Group specialist, ABT Sportsline. The German tuner has introduced an array of cosmetic and mechanical upgrades for Volkswagen's latest generation Golf, including a power kit for the forthcoming GTI that boosts the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine's output from 210 to 240HP.

With ABT's power kit, the entry-level 1.4 TSI engine that delivers 122HP in stock form produces 170HP, while the more powerful 1.4 TSI with 160HP gains an additional 40-horsepower for a total output of 200HP. As for the popular in Europe diesel version, the 2.0 TDI delivers 170HP from 140HP.

Other mechanical modifications concern the sport-tuned suspension and the availability of two braking packages (345mm and 380mm brake discs).

As for ABT's aerodynamic bodykit, it consists of a front grill, front and rear aprons, side sills, rear wing plus quad exhaust tailpipes and 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels.

The new ABT Golf – Data and Facts

ABT POWER

Series: 1.4 TSI 122 HP ---- ABT Power: 170 HP

Series: 1.4 TSI 160 HP ---- ABT Power: 200 HP

Series: 2.0 TSI 210 HP ---- ABT Power: 240 HP

Series: 2.0 TDI 140 HP ---- ABT Power 170 HP

ABT AERODYNAMICS

ABT Front grill
ABT Front apron
ABT Sidebars
ABT Rear apron attachment
ABT Rear spoiler
ABT All-in package consisting of: ABT front grill, ABT front apron, ABT sidebars, ABT rear
apron attachment, ABT rear wing, ABT wing inserts, ABT wing enlargement

ABT SPORT WHEELS

ABT AR and BR; 18 and 19-inch; diamond turned or high-gloss polished.
Also available as a full wheelset with sports tyres.

ABT EXHAUST TECHNOLOGY

ABT 4-pipe exhaust

ABT SUSPENSION

ABT springs, lowering of the vehicle's centre of gravity
ABT Thread sports chassis

ABT BRAKES

ABT Braking system, brake disks 345 millimetres
ABT Sports braking system, brake disks 380 millimetres

ABT Wraps the R8, A4 and Q7 in Mate Black Carbon Fiber Film

Matte colors are becoming extremely popular lately among enthusiasts and this is something that doesn't go by unnoticed from large tuning houses like ABT. The German customization firm not only presented a matte black film for the Q7 SUV but it also took a step further by introducing a new matte black carbon-fiber wrap that's available for the AS4, AS7 and R8 ABT vehicles as well as for the standard factory Audi A4, Q7 and R8 models. In both cases the film covers the bodywork from top to bottom. -Continued

ABT supports that the faux carbon-fiber film is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing as even the texture of the synthetic material has been precisely reproduced.

"When the vehicle is fully wrapped in Carbon Film, it appears more aggressive and dynamic", said Hans-Jürgen Abt, Managing Director of ABT Sportsline. Well maybe for Hans, but seeing R8 dressed in the faux carbon suite in the above picture, we think we'd prefer it in a simple matte black wrap. ABT has yet to announce pricing for its new wraparound matte colored films. (R8 Picture edited by julino billym)