Wednesday 19th November 2003

Abt Touareg

Loads o' torque in VW conversion

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Abt Sportsline has opened the UK order book for its all-new Abt Touareg VS10, the world’s most powerful diesel 4x4 road car. Based on Volkswagen’s diesel-powered Touareg V10, the new car offers a significant uplift in power (373bhp compared to the standard Touareg V10’s 303bhp), a bolt on bodykit and a revised suspension system.

Abt’s newly developed air suspension system, Abt Level-Control (ALC), ensures that the Abt Touareg’s mighty performance is matched by enhanced on-road dynamics. In its standard setting, the Abt Touareg sits approximately 30mm lower than the production Touareg.

When in ‘Sport’ mode, ride height drops a further 10mm and the shock absorbers are stiffened to further aid stability when cornering at speed. For that ultimate kerbside presence and to aid entry/egress, ALC allows the Abt Touareg to sit 60 millimetres lower than the standard Touareg before the engine is fired.

Complementing the boost in horsepower is a major increase in torque – up from the standard V10’s 553 lb/ft (750Nm) to an awesome 634 lb/ft (860Nm) at just 2,000rpm.

Abt are very proud of their figures, boasting that it delivers more power than many of the rivals: BMW X5 4.6is (347bhp, 354 lb/ft), Mercedes ML55 AMG (347bhp, 376 lb/ft) and Porsche Cayenne S (340bhp, 310 lb/ft).

To set it apart from the normal school run kit the Abt version gains gains a new front grille, deeper front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a discreet rear spoiler. To highlight the performance potential, the new Abt gains a four-pipe exhaust. A set of Abt 22-inch SP4 wheels completes the visual package, replacing the standard Touareg V10’s 18-inch rims.

The complete Abt Touareg VS10 costs £64,460 – this price includes all engine management changes, suspension modifications and styling upgrades listed above. Individual Abt Sportsline products for the Volkswagen Touareg start from just £340 (including fitting, paint and VAT) and can be purchased from local Volkswagen centres or from Abt Sportsline (tel: [phone]).

[Swilly]

I mistook it for a VW Golf for a minute.