What's this then?
ABT Sportsline has introduced a range of power and styling upgrades for the third generation Audi A8. The Bavarian Audi and Volkswagen tuning specialist has been producing accessories for the A8 since the first generation model was introduced exactly 20 years ago.
What do you get?
Styling modifications are restrained and designed to create an appearance that ABT describes as 'sporty and elegant'. There is a curved front spoiler, side skirts and a rear valance that frames the four exhaust tail pipes. For added visual interest the inner and outer pipes are slightly different sizes. A choice of aftermarket alloy wheels can be supplied with two styles: 20- or 21-inch ABD DR pattern, offered in gun metal or black; or ABT ER-C wheels that come in 19- and 20-inch sizes and gun metal or silver finish.
Any mechanical changes?
ABT can supply new electronic control units to lift the power of three of the A8's engines. The 3.0-litre TDI can be made to produce 300hp, up from 258hp. For the 4.2 TDI there is an extra 45hp to take the maximum power to 430hp. Audi's 4.0-litre petrol V8 gets 540hp, which is more than the standard power output of the range-topping W12 A8.
Also available is a lowering module for the air suspension to lower the car by 25mm front and rear. This is said to improve the A8's handling as well as complementing the appearance of the styling modifications.
John Lambert - 25 Nov 2014