Audi S3

Audi’s latest-generation S3 has finally been revealed, with the initial three-door hatchback bodystyle so far the only version Audi has announced. The German automaker has decided not to bring its new A3 Hatchback to the U.S., so it’s likely this S3 Hatchback won’t be coming either. Instead, we’ll get a new A3 Sedan sometime soon, and with any luck a new S3 Sedan will also be offered.

So what does the S3 offer over its more mundane cousin. For starters, S3 buyers get a 2.0-liter TFSI turbo four delivering 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. This engine is a brand new design for Audi, and it's brilliant.

It offers its peak torque from as low as 1,800 revs and maintains this all the way up to 5,500 rpm. This is about the same revs where peak power is delivered, and then the engine will happily rev all the way up to 6,800 rpm.

It also features many features not normally found in four-cylinder engines. For instance, it comes with two balance shafts rotating at twice the speed of the crankshaft for improved smoothness, port as well as direct-injection depending on load, aluminum-silicon construction, and an exhaust valve that opens up to really let the sound out when gunning it.

2002 ABT Audi TT-Limited

2002 ABT Audi TT-Limited

2002 ABT Audi TT-Limited

2002 ABT Audi TT-Limited

2002 ABT Audi TT-Limited

quattro-drive, 350 Newtonmeters and powerful 184 kW (250 hp) – these are the fascinating specifications of the Coupe. All the rest is pure emotion. For instance the “Imola-Yellow” paintwork. Even though this shade does not exactly match the colour of the DTM-racer, the similarity to its big brother in motorsport is unmistakable. Apart from the colour, the designers and engineers from Abt Sportsline in Kempten embellished the street sportscar with many extra details, showing a clear bias toward the motorsport version. “Our aim with this model is to offer a car for the street with the fascinating flair of the DTM”, says Hans-Jurgen Abt, General Manager of Abt Sportsline.

2002 ABT Audi allroad quattro

2002 ABT Audi allroad quattro

2002 ABT Audi allroad quattro

2002 ABT Audi allroad quattro

2002 ABT Audi allroad quattro

It glides on water, it cuts through deep snow like a scooter and it hangs under a paraglider in the air: In its maiden role in Bogner's movie "Mountain Magic" the Audi allroad quattro demonstrated spectacular and undreamt-of talent. But, for the team at Abt Sportsline it was still not enough: The world's leading Audi and VW tuning company, based in Bavaria, took the allroad quattro and added even more sportive touches.

Freedom without compromise - this philosophy wholeheartedly embodies the allroad quattro, combining the comfort and dynamics of a top class vehicle with the all-terrain qualities of a thoroughbred off-roader. Unique to the Audi is its four level air suspension. Both axles feature separate air suspension struts monitored via height sensors, providing the ideal ground clearance for off-road use, as well as optimal aerodynamics for faster highway sections.

Choices for power units of the allroad quattro are between a 2.7-litre bi-turbo V6 with 184 kW (250 hp) or a 2.5-litre V6 TDI with 132 kW (180 hp). However, for the Abt Sportsline team - who are used to handling the 450 hp racing cars contesting the DTM (German Touring Car Masters) - this is simply not enough. With an optimized electronic engine management the engineers now push the TDI-engine up to 154 kW (210 hp), the bi-turbo-version is increased up to 213 kW (290 hp) or even 265 kW (360 hp) and 510 Newtonmetres. The permanent all-wheel-drive optimally transfers the power in every situation and on all terrain.

The clearance between the body and ground can be adjusted to four levels - from 208 to 142 millimetres - simply by pushing a button in the cockpit. With stunning sports wheels from the House of Abt Sportsline, the car's appearance is striking. For the allroad quattro, the 7,5 x 17 inch A23, the 8,5 x 18 inch A25 single-piece cast sports rims and the two-piece A26 are available - also delivered, of course, as a complete wheel fitted with appropriate tyres. Not only do the rims display top craftsmanship, they are also designed for optimal weight and the best possible handling.

Beside the Abt front grill with its two struts, the team from Abt Sportsline also paid great attention to the interior. Abt aluminium parts and elegant fittings crafted from fine napa leather continue the classical look on the inside. With its spectacular appearance, the super sports star also proved its total reliability. At the end of filming, movie director and fashion designer Willy Bogner gave the allroad quattro his wholehearted seal of approval. "During the entire making of the movie we didn't experience a single problem with the allroad quattro - even though the strains on the car were enormous. And luckily, the Audi didn't put on the airs and graces of a star."

2004 ABT Audi AS400

2004 ABT Audi AS400

2004 ABT Audi AS400

2004 ABT Audi AS400

From the start, the Audi A4 of the Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline was the car to be beaten in the DTM. Now, competition on the road will have hard times: With the new AS400, Abt Sportsline is presenting one of the most powerful and exclusive vehicles in its history. 400 HP (294 kW), 290 km/h top speed and 4.7 seconds from 0 to 100 - these are the facts that distingiush the Abt AS400 which is equipped with a 2.7 litre V6-Bi-Turbo-engine.

2005 ABT Audi AS3

2005 ABT Audi AS3

2005 ABT Audi AS3

2005 ABT Audi AS3

2005 ABT Audi AS3

With the A3, Audi has set new standards in the compact class. And the next generation has all what it takes to continue the success story of its predecessor. Of course, Abt Sportsline is involved as well: one of the five premieres by the company from Kempten, at the last IAA is the complete tuning and optic package for the compact car from Ingolstadt. This puts the world’s leading tuning company for cars from the Volkswagen Group on pole-position once again.

Emotion and precision – these two characteristics are representing the design of the new A3 and make the entire bodywork of the car look even more powerful and sporty. With an extended wheelbase, more width and its reduced height, the new car almost looks like a coupe. Abt Sportsline is emphasizing this impression even further by means of high-quality bodywork parts. At the front, for instance, the Abt AS3 gets a distinguishing cover and a front spoiler extension. Next to the side skirts, the rear of the car particularly meets the eye: covers and wings developed in Kempten make the compact car look even more powerful and dynamic.

Abt Sportsline has also paid attention to the performance of the new A3. With chip-tuning, the power output of the fuel-efficient and powerful 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine is being increased from 77 to 96 kW (105 to 130 hp). The job, which is a very comfortable effort for customers, because it is quick and easy, requires enormous technical know-how. With experience of many decades, Abt Sportsline has acquired this know-how and has mastered chip-tuning to perfection. The modification in the engine management software includes data like the time of ignition or the amount of fuel that is being injected for the entire rev range and for various throttle pedal positions. Finding the optimal balance, it requires enormous development effort. The values 0-100 in 10,5 sec. And a V-Max of 196 km/h speak for themselves.

2005 ABT Audi AS4 Avant

2005 ABT Audi AS4 Avant

2005 ABT Audi AS4 Avant

2005 ABT Audi AS4 Avant

2005 ABT Audi AS4 Avant

According to Audi, the new A4 Avant is far more than just a nice station wagon. Though by saying this, the car manufacturer from Ingolstadt for sure did not mean Abt Sportsline’s version, the new Abt AS4 Avant confirms this statement to 100 per cent all the same. But as a matter of fact there is a lot more to the model from Kempten than it just being a nice representative of its class. It is an elegant and sporty station wagon which above all convinces with personal qualities.

2005 ABT VW Golf GTI

2005 ABT VW Golf GTI

2005 ABT VW Golf GTI

2005 ABT VW Golf GTI

According to the advertisements, the new Golf GTI is made for guys who have been tough men all along. Abt Sportsline has taken the VW slogan to heart and has converted the cult object from Wolfsburg into a car for real guys: The talk is about the Abt Sportsline Golf GTI with 230 hp.

The GTI from Kempten is a true sports car, following the original’s tradition. The outward appearance of the Abt GTI gives away the secret that the model from Kempten is not an every day GTI. The optics was adapted to the power with extensive aerodynamic components. The body kit of the German tuner comprises a front spoiler lip and carbon lip, a bonnet made of carbon fibre, side skirts as well as a rear skirt and rear muffler with four chrome end pipes. No need to say that the GTI from Kempten is a toy for tough guys only.

It becomes even more obvious when taking a look at the power dates. Under the muscular body of the Abt GTI, the impressive power of 230 HP (147 to 169 kW) and 310 Newton metres is waiting to hit the road. The engineers of Abt Sportsline were able to achieve this power upgrade of the 2.0 TFSI power unit by modifying the motor management. The result is a plus of 30 HP and 30 Newton metres regarding the standard model. So it’s not surprising that the top speed climbs to 241 km/h and the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is managed in only 6.7 seconds.

Beside the optics and powerful performance, the specifically tuned sport suspension kit by Abt Sportsline guarantees sporty driving pleasure – on any kind of road. For, the height adjustable suspension kit can also be adjusted in pressure and rebound according to individual requirements and operational area. Beside the body modifications, lowering the vehicle of up to 55 millimetres also contributes to the sporty appearance of the Abt GTI, but however in particular the driving dynamics is increased noticeably. The sports car reacts more sensitive to steering activities and runs like on rails in tight corners.

The light alloy wheel SP1 by Abt Sportsline, which has been awarded numerous times by car magazines, also guarantees optimal grip on the roads. The one-piece wheel in classical five-spoke design in the dimension 8.5×19 inch underlines the sporty optic of Abt GTI and is equipped with 225/35 R19 tyres of technology partner Dunlop.

In the interior of the Abt Sportsline Golf GTI the special feeling for details becomes apparent: the steering wheel as well as the red Recaro sport seats and GTI floor mats are marked with the characteristic Abt logo.