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.

[Marki]

jezz Swilly your not kidding are you ,, thats funny

[greg_d]

it's kinda cool.
that torque + 4wd = a few surprised porsche drivers off the line

[B19GRR]

Just hope I can get out of the way in time before it drives over me

[t1grm]

BLING BLING!!!!

[Bodo]

what an utter utter ridiculous car

[pbrettle]

Mmm drug dealer car of choice?

[mervynp]

Swilly said:

I mistook it for a VW Golf for a minute.

but Swilly, Golfs are small (ish), that thing is far away....

[wedgepilot]

How much torque do you need for the school run?!?!?! Jeez...

BTW, I can see the Golf resemblance, especially in the side profile shot. Taken out of context, the visual cues are all there and its relative dimensions are the same as those of a medium-sized hatchback. Look again, but imagine those wheels are 17" instead of 22".

[Marki]

I like it , just because its a 4x4 dont scoff its a usefull wagon , and belive it or not 4x4`s are fun at times

[danielshepherd]

New contact number for ABT Sportline UK is 01753 607 540.

[targarama]

Am I the only person on the planet who prefers the Cayenne to the Toerag? A guy down our road has a Cayenne V8 - the Porsche V8 just sounds so good. Far nicer looking and sounding than his neighbours X5 4.4i.