Audi R8 Abt

Abt Sportsline finally displayed their re-worked Audi R8 sports car at the Essen Motorshow. Called the Abt R8, the car features a number of modifications both over the production vehicle and the preview illustrations shown earlier this year. Boasting a drivetrain aimed at inducing faster heartbeats and design elements evoking a sense of dynamism even when standing still, this R8 is a sports car that brings the magic of speed onto the road even when standing still.

No doubt, even the basis model of the R8 is something special and therefore a real challenge, emphasizes Hans-Jurgen Abt. "The fluently dynamic form of the car is unique, it looks like it has lots of power, even when standing still," admits the managing director and therewith he raises the bar for his engineers and designers. As it is usual for Abt, the result is quite respectable and can be driven with fascination.



Producing no less than what Abt describe as an automotive marvel of engineering and design, the Abt R8 features a carbon-fiber dominated body kit consisting of front, side and rear skirts, rear wing and two-piece side blades. Since the release of their orange R8 illustrations, a major styling revision is the change from horizontal to vertical slats positioned on the front side air intakes.

With regard to technical aspect, the Abt R8 has undergone fine-tuning to suspension upgrades for improved road holding, featuring Abt springs and a lower stance while an Abt sports brake system with discs of 380 mm diameter sets new standards in braking response. Previous talk of a 530 hp Abt supercharged 4.2-litre V8 has disappeared from the specifications with nothing as yet mentioned in the press release. Based on reports, a top speed of 317 kph and 0-100 kph acceleration in 3.9 seconds is achievable. Two new equipment versions will be available for the Abt R8 called 'Extravagant' and 'Exclusive' adding new options such as lighter body panels to further customise the R8.

Source: Abt Sportsline Press

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