Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Audi
ABT wraps Audi R8 and Q7 in carbon fiber-look vinyl, Alero is next
Click above for a high-res gallery of ABT's line of wraps
Last month, Autoblog's long-term fleet (AKA our daily drivers) grew by one when we picked up a thoroughly reworked, late-model German sedan. It's a masterpiece of modern engineering, complete with the amenities
But there was a problem. It's coated in our least favorite color: Brilliant Red. Thankfully, ABT Sportsline has an option that doesn't involve a full re-spray.
The German tuning firm has partnered with the Kempten Company to create a "foil" for the A4, A7 and R8, which coats the Audis in a high-tech synthetic material that matches the weave of carbon fiber. Judging by the images ABT offered, the application of the "foil" is seamless, matching every crease and curve to the T.
While the idea of a faux-carbon fiber wrap for our rides reeks of poseur, we're seriously considering a matte black treatment for our new purchase. If anyone knows of a firm based in the Bay Area to do the work, drop us a line in the comments. And if you know of anyone in Ohio, maybe we can persuade John to get his Alero coated in olive and black camouflage.
PRESS RELEASE
Noble and extravagant – Foil for A4, Q7 and R8
When ABT Sportsline starts something, you know it's going to be worth seeing. That especially applies for the new vehicle full-foil, which the famous customiser from the Allgäu region now offers. After all, the high-tech synthetic material provides an additional individual touch and extremely exciting look. The complete vehicle bodywork is wrapped with extreme precision right through to the last corner or edge. The result is perfect right down to the finish of every single detail, and qualitatively there is no difference to a high-grade finish.
Wrapping with matt Carbon Film, which the Kempten Company offers for the models AS4, AS7 and the super sports car ABT R8, is especially exciting. Of course, the foil is also available for the standard Audi models A4, Q7 and R8. The matt Carbon Film is virtually indistinguishable from real carbon, i.e. the texture of the carbon-fibre synthetic material is exactly 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. After all, carbon is the extremely stable material that causes weight reduction in professional motor sport. Of course, ABT's Carbon Film does not have this feature, but the extravagant wrapping is considerably less expensive.
ABT Sportsline has also developed a foil especially for the noble SUV AS7/Q7 that goes very well with the powerful vehicle: the customer can combine the foil in matt black with a colour like orange and green, thus emphasizing the side area and ensuring both an individual and elegant appearance for the AS7/Q7.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Beastage 6:44PM (10/24/2008)
Dont care much about the vinyl... but that R8 body kit looks... furious.
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Flashpoint 11:20PM (10/24/2008)
this is what you buy when you can't afford a Veyron or a Gallardo.
CarbonBlack 2:15AM (10/25/2008)
All things considered, the R8 is a better car than the Gallardo/Veyron!
Kiiks 6:45PM (10/24/2008)
"Alero is next"
You just couldn't resist, could you? ;)
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Kumail 6:53PM (10/24/2008)
as good as it looks, i think i would prefer hyper grey or black rim's....
don't like the chrome look on this...
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a 7:09PM (10/24/2008)
that looks so much better than the regular R8.
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Serge K. 7:12PM (10/24/2008)
Just don't wash the car for a while, it'll get "matte".
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tankd0g 7:37PM (10/24/2008)
Wow, matches my $5 cell phone holder.
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Andrew T 7:41PM (10/24/2008)
I personally think ABT ruins about every car it touches. I remember the A5 and A4 they kitted, which also looked horrendous. I think Audis are perfectly beautiful how they are.
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Ian 8:08PM (10/24/2008)
Abt usually makes really quality stuff... wonder why they'd go with a vinyl covering instead?
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ropeburn 8:48PM (10/26/2008)
What happened to Abt, they used to really lead the way, but laying on vinyl sheets.... that's weak. Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds..... blarg it is that bad.
npChaos 9:17PM (10/24/2008)
For the money you'd have if you could afford an R8, I'd think you could afford to convince someone to wrap your entire car in /real carbon fiber/.
Although with the added adhesive and resin sealing and weatherproofing fiberglass, it might not be the best thing on weight.
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Brad 10:00PM (10/24/2008)
Oops typo in there, unless they really are skinning the still-not-even-see-by-anyone A7.
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Richard 10:02PM (10/24/2008)
In the special events and sponsorship world, we call that a wrap. 3M makes it and our sponsors love it. But, I might think an R8 would deserve something a little better than that.
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tekd 2:09AM (10/25/2008)
something's not right about using vinyl wrap to do fake CF on an R8 when even ricers use real CF panels. The R8 deserves better.
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Men's Option 6:55AM (10/26/2008)
It look crazy! Fearless. I don't like the R8 very much, but with this one...
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Tony 11:19AM (10/26/2008)
Pssh! That's nothing. What's so hard about making a giant decal for a car. Now if they really want a challenge, make my 1989 Toyota Tercel look like an Audi R8 and I really don't care what colour they choose. Except for turd brown is definitely out.
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Kiiks 9:03AM (10/28/2008)
If you live in SF, I think I saw someone stealing your car on Saturday.