Geneva 2011: ABT Carves a 620HP Beast out the Audi R8 V10 Spyder

At last year's Geneva motor show, VW Group specialist ABT unveiled a 600HP version of the Audi R8 V10 Spyder. The German tuning house returned to this year's edition of the Swiss show with an updated tune on Ingolstadt's flagship roadster model featuring 620 ponies and a red and black styling theme.

On the outside, ABT's R8 GT S gets a red paint finish contrasted by the use of carbon fiber parts in the middle section of the car. The front skirt, rear skirt, windscreen frame cover, red air scoops and the engine compartment are all made of carbon fiber, which is said to help reduce the car's weight by an unspecified amount. The sports car also rides on a new set of wheels, available in 19-inch or 20-inch sizes.

The same red and black color theme is continued in the interior which also boasts numerous carbon fiber parts including the dashboard and door trims.

Under the body, a performance kit that includes a sports exhaust system lifts the 5.2-liter V10's output from 525Hp to 620HP allowing the R8 GT S to complete the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 320 km/h (199mph). A more taut suspension system completes the package.

The new ABT R8 GT S – data and facts

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
Engine: 5.2 FSI, V10, 5.204 ccm capacity
Performance tuning: ABT Power
Performance: 620 HP/456 kW (standard: 525 HP/386 kW)
ABT TECHNOLOGY
ABT suspension
ABT sports exhaust system (stainless steel)
ABT AERODYNAMICS
ABT front skirt (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT rear skirt (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT side skirt (weight-optimized)
ABT rear wing (weight-optimized, adjustable, CRP)
ABT air scoops (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT engine bonnet (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT exterior mirrors (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT front spoiler plate (adjustable)
ABT windscreen frame cover (CRP)
ABT carbon inlays for covers of engine and convertible-top
ABT carbon inlays for the outside of the doors
ABT chrome foil red
ABT SPORTS WHEELS AND TYRE EQUIPMENT
Front axis: ABT BR, 9 x 20 inches
Rear axis: ABT BR, 11 x 20 inches
Front axis: ABT CR Superlight, 9 x 19 inches
Rear axis: ABT CR Superlight, 11 x 19 inches
ABT INTERIOR
ABT sports steering wheel (CRP)
ABT leather seats
ABT centre console with red carbon and leather
ABT shift gate in red carbon with engraving
ABT dashboard with leather
ABT door panels with red carbon and leather
ABT door sill panel illuminated
ABT Floormats
ABT safety belts in red

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Volkswagen Transporter Tuned up by MR Car Design

Just because Volkswagen’s Transporter can be used in a professional manner moving goods, people or even both, doesn’t mean that tuners aren’t paying attention to it. On the contrary, the Transporter has received a lot of tuning love over the many years it has been in production. The tuning proposal for the pre-facelift Transporter you see pictured here comes from German aftermarket specialist, MR Car Design.

A new body kit, courtesy of the tuning crew over at ABT, includes a spoiler package consisting of a front-and-rear spoiler, a new front grille, fog light inserts, side skirts, new LED headlamps and smoked tail lamps. The looks is enhanced with new 22-inch alloy wheels finished in black and wrapped around in beefy 265/33 22 tires. For those that want a low rider look, MR Car Design offers a new air suspension that can drop the ride height by an impressive -but understandably, impractical- 100 millimeters.

A performance kit for the turbo diesel engine with a remapped ECU and a sports exhaust system that includes four tail pipes, help boost output to 208-horsepower and 487 Nm (359.2 lb-ft) of peak torque, complete the tune.

PHOTO GALLERY