Essen 2007: ABT Sportsline lineup

German tuner ABT Sportsline has always had an interesting group of packages for German cars. For this years Essen Motor Show they pulled out not one, but five new products for Audi and Volkswagen. Each vehicle received upgrades in each department. New body kits, interior upgrades and of course performance upgrades. Below is a summary of what they had.

ABT AS4

Based on the new Audi A4
Abt body kit, suspension, brakes, wheels, muffler 1.8 TFSI w/ Abt Power: 200 hp / 228 lb-ft
1.8 TFSI w/ Abt Power S: 240 hp
2.0 TDI w/ Abt Power: 170 hp
2.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 200 hp
2.7 TDI w/ Abt Power: 230 hp
3.0 TDI w/ Abt Power: 270 hp / 405 lb-ft
3.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 300 hp / 442 lb-ft

ABT AS5

Based on the Audi A5
Abt body kit, suspension, brakes, wheels, muffler
Abt interior accessories
3.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 300 hp / 442 lb ft
0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds

ABT R8

Weight reduction
Abt body kit, carbon fiber side blades and skirts
Abt suspension, brakes, wheels, exhaust
Optional 2-tone finish

ABT Touareg 2

Based on the VW Touareg 2
Abt body kit, level control for air suspension, brakes, wheels, exhaust
2.5 TDI w/ Abt Power: 195 hp
3.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 300 hp / 442 lb-ft
V10 TDI in Abt VS10: 360 hp
4.2 TDI w/ Abt Power R replacement turbo: 500 hp

ABT Tiguan

Abt body kit, suspension, brakes, wheels, muffler
1.4 TSI w/ Abt Power: 200 hp
2.0 TDI w/ Abt Power: 170 hp
2.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 200 hp

Source: ABT Sportsline

The MTM Audi R888. The cool just got cooler

The Audi R8 is starting to really turn some heads in the tuner world. Here is the latest custom R8 from tuner MTM from Germany. Exterior changes are minimal aside from the rear air scoops and the matte black paint. Under the hood the addition of a super charger more than doubles the stock R8s 420Hp to a downright insane 888. So 888 horsepower with 610 lb ft of torque with Quattro all whee drive. 0-60 in 3 seconds flat, and a top speed of 223 mph. Where do we sign up?

Source: Autoblog.com

ABT transforms the new VW Tiguan

The new 2008 VW Tiguan has not even hit US show rooms yet, but here's a taste of what's in store when it does thanks to our friends at ABT in Germany.

We should see the US debut of the Tiguan at NAIAS in Detroit come January, and should be a hit as a strong competitor to the Jeep Liberty and Toyota Rav4. And will be baby brother to the Touareg.

Press Release:

KEMPEN, Germany — Abt Sportsline wasn't satisfied with transforming the Volkswagen Touareg into a serious on-road powerhouse. Now, with the Touareg's compact sibling, the new VW Tiguan, about to hit the streets, Abt is at it again.

The exterior look is more aggressive, thanks to an aero body kit that bundles a front spoiler and grille with fender extensions, rear skirt with diffuser, and rear wing.

There are power boosts galore for the Tiguan's various engines. The basic 1.4-liter TSI four-cylinder is bumped from 150 to 200 horsepower. The 140-hp 2.0-liter TDI offers two different stages of tune, climbing to 170 hp in the first stage and 200 hp in the second.

Mechanical mods include new springs and adjustable dampers, plus upgraded brakes and a choice of performance wheel/tire combinations in sizes up to 20 inches.

Source: Edmunds

AC Schnitzer gets their hands on the new BMW M3

Germany's AC Schnitzer is no stranger to the world of high performance tuners for BMW. And the new M3 is just as hot. So it was just a matter of time before they got their hands on one to customize. New body panels around the lower edge of the car, alloy wheels and special badging identify the car as an AC Schnitzer.

The performance figures and details of exactly what was done to the car have not been released yet. The AC Schnitzer M3 will its public debut for the first time at the Essen Motor Show in Germany. So we should see more info on this exciting Bimmer soon.

Source: motorauthority.com

SEMA 07: Heico Sportiv Volvo S80 concept

One of the most attractive tuner concept cars on display at SEMA is this Volvo S80 T6 HPC from German Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv. The most notcible modification to the car is its 7-layer "aluminum effect" paint job that looks absolutely stunning. The 7 layer paint job took 2 weeks to complete. The paint process is so precise, that it does not allow for any re-shoots or touch up. Heico redesigned and improved the body of the S80 as well. The entire front clip was replaced to give the car a more aggressive look along with enlarged wheel arches. The rear bumper was also treated to the styling treatment to allow for rectangular exhaust cutouts and carbon fiber accents.

Powered by a specialy tuned inline 6 cylinder, with 350 horsepower, is a fuel effiecient hot rod. Heico Sportiv designed the motor to run on E85 ethanol. The engine produces 405 ft. lbs. of torque. Heico also converted the front wheel drive S80 to all wheel drive. Other engine upgrades include, a larger intercooler, ECU upgrades, and a stainless steel racing exhaust. 0-60 times have been calculaetd a 5.8 seconds.

A lowered suspension, a 14 inch big brake upgrade with 6 piston calipers, 20 inch lightweight forged wheels by Volution X, and 255/30R20 Continental performance tires wrap up the exterior.

The interior has been treated to rear bucket seats, a full leather upgrade(including the headliner and door pannels), and sport front seats. The dash and center console have also been lined with aluminum carbon fiber. The car's aluminum exterior is accentuated by the mystic blue leather on the interior.

About Heico:

Heico Sportiv was founded outside of Frankfurt, Germany in 1995. It has grown to become Europe's leading Volvo tuning firm. Heico has the longest running history of endurance racing featuring Volvo cars spanning 13 years. This serves as the engineering basis for offering high-quality components for Volvo road cars. Please refer to http://www.heicosportivna.com/ for more information.

Source: Autoblog.com

In the dream garage: APR Audi R8

I fell in love with the R8 when I worked at Audi. A super car with crisp lines, awesome performance, and lastly was German. This R8 tuned by performance gurus APR was spotted at the SEMA show in the Michelin display. No info was given as to the cars specs and the Internet turns up very little, but this looks like one sweet ride that takes the R8's performance to the next level. Obvious upgrades would have to include computer reprogramming, and exhaust work. Then you find the upgraded 2 piece wheels, Brembo cross drilled rotors and calipers.

Even in stock form the R8 is worthy of being in my dream garage. After watching the latest Top Gear episode with the Stig and Jeremy Clarkson's hoonage of the R8 with Richard Hammond's 911 Carrera S, it makes me want one even more. But the APR edition would take it to a new level.