Abt R8: Supercharged German Exotica

Motoring Channel Staff - 13/Apr/2007

Kempten, Germany — It was only a matter of time before one of Europe's larger tuning houses got their hands on the highly desirable exotic from Audi, the R8. German tuning house AbtSportsline has just released information on its newly modified Audi R8, which features a supercharger to boost the V8s power to beyond 500hp among other changes.

Abt Sportsline is one of the most prolific tuners of cars from the Volkswagen group, and like many of its 'tune-ups' the R8 gets a brand-new front apron that gives the car a far more imposing look than the standard Audi R8.

The Kempten-based German tuning group says it's new creation's direct rivals will include a who's who of exotic sports cars: 

Lamborghini Gallardo
Ferrari F430
Porsche 911 Turbo

The German company says these are cars that make your heart beat faster, and so the Abt Sportsline R8 will also be among these outstanding super sports cars. The company adds that it is even getting ready to overtake them in the prestige duel. 

That's tough talk, and tough competition from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, but with the right ingredients, Abt might just be able to come good on these claims.

The tuning company explains that technology and design milestones do not only come from Maranello or Sant'Agata-Bolognese but also from Kempten, and that the Abt R8 will be a gorgeous dream car with the genes of a top-class race car. 

Such a special automobile will belong to one of the fastest groups of cars in the world, able to challenge the Lamborghinis and Porsches thanks to its more powerful engine that hides under a new carbon fibre hood. 

Taking the stock 4.2-litre V8 engine (tested in by the Editor in this Audi RS 4 review), Abt has added a supercharger, which takes power from 309kW to 390kW - or 420hp to 530hp. The inclusion of forced induction to the mid-mounted R8 adds 81 kilowatts of power (110hp) and will also improve torque levels, and possibly move peak torque further down the rev range which would give it better drivability. Abt Sportsline has not yet divulged the torque figures.

Audi's standard R8 model generates 430Nm @ 4500rpm, and it's anyone's guess how much the Abt model will develop, 500Nm even.

Abt explains new 20-inch BR wheels will be added to the car, in order to stylishly transfer this power onto the asphalt, which is taken care of by an all-wheel drive transmission that propels the car from zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, which is faster than the Ferrari F430. Top speed has also been elevated to 317 km/h, up from 301km/h.

These values are synonymous with super sports cars, says Abt, and with the addition of it's own suspension systems - which add adjustable height, compression, and rebound settings - the car be adapted to drive from work during the week, and then setup for race track work on the weekend. 

Looking at the early images of the tuned and modified Audi R8, it's clear the design was initiated to improve the car's high speed aerodynamics. This is seen in the addition of a new rear wing, which is paired with a new diffuser to reduce the air turbulence exiting underneath the car, and there's also a new exhaust system to deal with the extra power the supercharger builds, which culminate in artfully arranged exhaust outlets.

The front of the Bavarian R8 shows the marked Abt face, explains the German company, and together with the new body work and wing at the rear it is especially stable at speeds over 250km/h. The side blades, which were developed especially for the Abt R8, and the Abt side skirts give the vehicle a new and individual design in addition to their aerodynamic advantages, explains the company. 

The aerodynamically efficient body kit, which also includes carbon-fibre parts to reduce weight, is a real eye catcher but also shows the state-of-the-art Bavarian precision work. With the ingenious construction, which also includes a carbon-fibre bonnet, not only a maximum reduction in weight is achieved but it also ensures optimised weight distribution of the Abt R8 – the pure presence of the model athlete already shows this.

As the company so boldly states, a new dream car is becoming reality. In autumn (southern spring) the top-class sports cars will have a new challenger. The Abt R8.

Related articles:
- Audi RS 4 (Road Test)
- Audi R8 (2007)
- Brabus Mercedes S-Class (2006)
- Hamann BMW M6: Edition Race (2006)
- Hamann Lamborghini Gallardo SE (2006)
- Callaway C16 (2006)
- Hamann GT3, M3 (Various Tuned Cars, 2003)