As the self-proclaimed 'largest tuner of cars produced by the Volkswagen Group', ABT Sportline is a bit of an old hat when it comes to churning out higher performance versions of fast Audis. But when the basis for your next project is an executive barnstormer like the Audi S8 where do you go? If you are an ABT engineer you tune the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine to the point where it possesses as much power as a Ferrari 599 GTB.
ABT describes the resulting AS8 as a 'sports-car limo', a car that combines the standards of an elegant, luxurious touring car with a super-sports car's power and handling characteristics, apparently.
The Bavarian tuner has not divulged the work carried out under bonnet but the figures are impressive: 620hp and 780Nm of torque - up from the 520hp and 650Nm offered by Audi. As you would expect performance is said to be brisk with the 0-62mph sprint dispatched in four seconds, but it is the in-gear acceleration that is most impressive with 35- to 62mph taking only 2.8 seconds in second gear. Like the majority of German cars the AS8 does possess a speed limiter, but instead of the usual 155mph ABT has raised it to 180mph - perfect for that Autobahn blast.
The two-tonne limo is probably not going to be the most agile machine, but buyers can specify the ABT Level Control that lowers the pneumatically suspended car's centre of gravity and is said to optimise handling. Buyers can also opt for either 20- or 21-inch alloy wheels in a variety of designs, all wrapped in high-performance tyres.
Paul Healy - 23 Aug 2012