Think of the most extreme vehicles on the road, and if you're brushed up on your adventurous automobiles, the KTM X-Bow should come to mind. Made by the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer and looking something like a Transformer caught between car and robot modes, the X-Bow is about as extreme as they come. So ABT has decided to tinker with it a bit.

The result of the German tuning firm's poking and prying is a boost to the 2.0-liter TFSI mill from the standard 240 horsepower, which was good enough to propel the lightweight track-day special to 60 in 3.9 seconds, up to 300 horsepower, which should be enough to tear your face right off. Now if you're thinking that the X-Bow is already in such high demand that ABT isn't likely to get its hands on one, think again: the tuning house will act as the X-Bow's official sales and service agent. Hilarity, in the form of wicked tail-slides and curb assaults, should ensue.


[Source: ABT Sportsline]

So, the Essen Motor Show is coming up. For those of you unaware, it's basically a Euro SEMA. All the tuners will be there, showing off stuff that's both decent and dreadful, proving that yes, Europeans can do bad taste as well as anyone this side of the Atlantic. ABT is entirely capable of serving up either dish, but in the case of their Scirocco, they manage to stay on the better side of decent. You know the drill: body kit, wheels, suspension, brakes. They have power upgrades, too -- bumping the wee 1.4 TSI to 200 horses, and the 2.0 TSI to 240. Unfortunately, a look 'round back indicates that this whole stacked-tailpipes thing recently adopted by Lexus and Ferrari is on its way to becoming a fad. We love this shade of green, which looks to be the same as that used on the original VW IROC concept, but ABT's car wins because it doesn't have a face that looks like it was inspired by something on a Pokemon card. Still interested in reading more? The PR's pasted after the jump.


[Source: ABT Sportsline]

Click above for high-res gallery of the Abt AS5 available from GGI Tuning

We've talked about Abt Sportsline's sweet range of upgraded VW and Audi offerings before, but now we have some additional good news. As you probably know if you're reading this blog, Abt offers lots of mods for the A4 and A5, including relatively subtle body kits, new wheels, a sport suspension, a freer-flowing exhaust system, and a variety of power upgrades. You really can't go wrong when you start with such good rolling stock, but some tuners manage to botch it anyhow. In the case of the Audi A5, the manufacturer already does a pretty good job with the upragdes when it turns it into an S5, but Abt goes a step or two further with pretty good results.

The Abt AS5 is one hot sports coupe, even in a refrigerator white that might seem uninspring at first glance. The one we saw here at SEMA was actually over at the Hlton. It popped up during one of the afterparties that always makes this such a fun show to attend. In this case it was at the GGI European Tuning bash where the shop was announcing their new distribution deal with the German tuner. GGI European Tuning is already the exclusive North American importer for Carlsson, Hartge and Sportec, but now they can add Abt Sportsline to the marquee. It's already one of our favorite coupes, so knowing it might be easier to get a nicely modded version in the States makes us even happier.


Photos copyright ©2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

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 our spouses have we've grown accustomed to (heated seats) and over $20,000 in modifications to the engine (new turbo, Inconel manifold), suspension (Ohlins) and brakes (Alcons, anyone?).

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.

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the ABT Q5

Every time a new Volkswagen or Audi is released, German tuner ABT Sportsline can be relied upon to come up with performance and appearance packages to enhance them. The latest ride to get attention is the Audi Q5, and as you can see in the renderings ABT sent out, the body kit helps matters, because the showroom-trim Q5 is actually pretty vanilla-looking. The new visuals are backed up by a modified suspension, 20" wheels, more braking power, and performance upgrades for each available engine. Depending on which mill is nestled underhood, horsepower in the ABT-tuned Q5 ranges from 240 horsepower for the 2.0 TFSI all the way up to 310 horses for the 3.0 TDI with the Power S package.


[Source: ABT Sportsline]

Click images for hi-res gallery

Last night, we showed you updated photos of Audi's A4 and A5 as reworked by Germany's Abt Sportsline. Tonight, we have a similar set of new shots from the same tuner, only this time the subject is the Audi R8, a car that doesn't need a whole lot of work to begin with. Abt leaves the engine alone, instead supplying a sport suspension, a brake upgrade, and new 20" wheels.

On the visual side, the car gets carbon fiber skirts and rear spoiler, along with replacement front and rear clips that tone down the oversized factory grillework on both ends. The front openings are now angled and feature colored CF inserts. Matching colored pieces are added to the sideblades and the rear end, too. The new rear bumper cover incorporates a diffuser-style bottom, smaller vents, and diagonal outlets for the exhaust tips. Pretty good stuff, if you ask us, and if the colored elements don't float your boat, you can probably go for a more standard look. Assuming you have an R8 for them to work on, that is.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]

click either image for high-res galleries

We touched on Abt Sportsline's range of upgrades for the current VW and Audi offerings during last year's Essen Motor Show. Unfortunately, we only had drab-looking photos back then, and frankly, the dark backgrounds didn't do much to liven up the looks of the cars.

Since then, Abt has seen fit to produce complete photo sets that show off the company's modifications far better than the earlier images. The available mods are spelled out here, but in both cases, Abt can transform the A4 or A5 with a subtle body kit (especially when compared to some other tuners), new wheels, a sport suspension, a freer-flowing exhaust system, and a variety of power upgrades. In a perfect world where we could have the Euro-spec diesels, we'd happily opt for the Abt-tuned 3.0 TDI. In both cars, it packs 300 horsepower and a stout 442 lb-ft of torque. Yeah, we could get around just fine with that. Check out the new photos in the galleries below.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]

Click image for a gallery of Abt's Essen roster

German tuning house Abt Sportsline brought everything and the kitchen sink to the Essen Motor Show, and rather than present it piecemeal, we figured we'd put the whole megillah out for you in one shot. From A4 to Touareg, the latest hardware from VW and Audi has been worked over with appearance and suspension mods. Most boast notable power upgrades as well. Yes, we'll even revisit the (unfortunately) red-and-green-trimmed Abt R8, which we first talked about last week. If you're looking for a Christmas-themed supercar, or if you're a really nostalgic New Jersey Devils fan, it might just fit the bill.

Follow the jump for the rundown on all things Abt at Essen.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]

Click image to enlarge

To celebrate the 60th birthday of the VW Bus, Abt Sportsline has worked some of its black magic on the T5 Multivan's TDI powerplants. The Abt-enhanced 1.9 TDI produces either 110 or 130 horses, while the tuned 2.5 TDI offers up either 160 or 195 HP. Torque increases by an unspecified amount in all applications as well. To complete the package, Abt recommends you add its upgraded springs, new wheel/tire combo, full body kit, and sport muffler. Euro buyers who want to blow out the candles and salute the 60 years of the Bus in style can begin doing so on December 31.

[Source: Abt Sportsline via Carscoop]

Click image for gallery

The latest Deutsch treat from Abt Sportsline is a tuned Audi S3. As you're all well aware, there is no S3 here in the US, nor is there a plan to sell one. The US doesn't even get the 3-door A3 that the S is based on, anyway. European drivers will be able to hand their cars over to Abt Sportsline, which will juice up the potent 2.0 TFSI to an impressive 310 horses and 309 lb-ft of torque. Abt also upgrades the suspension and fits a sport exhaust and handsome 19-inch wheels. Understated looks, legit power, and deft handling are what Abt stirs into the pot with this S3, and that combo's usually a recipe for fun. Unfortunately, it's one Americans can't taste-test. Too bad, as the car's 5.4 second 0-62 time and 160 mph top end sound delicious.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]