Autoblog

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 image for high-res gallery

Abt Sportsline, the winning DTM racer and largest tuner for VW group cars, has released renderings of its Abt R8, an ubercoupe meant to challenge Maranello's F430, Porsche's 911 Turbo, and it's own cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo.

Under the carbon fiber hood installed to lighten things up and maintain optimal weight distribution, Abt has bolted a supercharger onto the 4.2L V8 to scare up another 110 hp, for a final tally of 530. Four-wheel-drive through 20-inch wheels will blast it from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds and all the way to 197 mph -- the kind of catapulting that would be sure to peel the gold and burnt copper paint jobs right off those renderings. The monster will even come with an adjustable suspension (height, pressure, and rebound) so you can be just as comfy pulling into the valet as you are at F1 speeds.

To keep the ballistic Bavarian on the ground, the Abt R8 gets a restrained-yet-brutish front air dam, a new rear diffuser, sculpted side skirts, and an "extravagant" rear wing. Cosmetically, specially-designed sideblades accentuate the car, and as if that rear wing wouldn't be enough to let people know you're not cruising in any ordinary Audi, quad tailpipes are inclined at the corners of the revised rear end. The car will be available in autumn. The pics are available right now. Feast.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]

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Abt Sportsline has prepared a version of the Audi Q7 they call the AS7. Based on the Euro-market 3.0 TDI version of Audi's new ute, the AS7 gets a host of visual refinements that set it apart from its other bretheren on the "streets of tomorrow," as well as the requisite tweaks to coax more power from the engine.

A subtle body kit enhances the SUV's already muscular appearance, incorporating new skirts all around and more pronounced fender extensions. A contrasting coat of orange paint highlights the changes to good effect. An orange trim ring around the Audi's signature grille and orange badging complete the two-tone scheme. You know a tuner ride's going to have a fresh set of rims, and the one-piece 20" or 22" Abt Sportsline AR wheels filling the openings look great. The final visual touches are a new rear wing and a pair of double-barreled exhaust tips peeking through the revised rear skirt.

As for the engine mods, Abt massages the 3.0-liter diesel to produce 272 horsepower -- an increase of 39 over the stock engine's output -- and a very healthy 426 lb ft of torque. No performance numbers are provided on the Abt site, but with that much torque, the driver's highly sophisticated seat-of-the-pants instrumentation is sure to feel the added punch. Hot looks, usable power, and diesel efficiency? That'll work. Sign us up!

(Additional photos, press release after the jump)

[Source: Abt Sportsline]