The folks over at ABT Sportsline have become pretty well known for giving high-performance German machines such as the Audi RS3 Sportback added oomph, both visually and under the bonnet. The tuner’s latest project? Well, it’s certainly no hot hatch. Nope, it’s none other than the new Audi A8 luxury sedan.
The example that ABT has tuned here is the A8 50 TDI Quattro, which incidentally employs the Volkswagen Group’s latest 48-volt electrical system. In its stock form, the 3,0-litre turbodiesel unit makes a considerable 210 kW and 600 N.m, but the addition of ABT’s engine control module sees those figures rise somewhat to 243 kW and 650 N.m.
Not massive gains, sure, but more than enough to make the A8 a bit of a diesel-powered sleeper, if you ask us. Interestingly, ABT says it has implemented “extensive safety measures” to ensure that the engine always runs smoothly, with the aftermarket control unit “permanently” communicating with the original engine control module and adjusting 25 set parameters.
If you want to hint to other road-users that your A8 isn’t quite standard, ABT will gladly sell you a set of 10-spoke 22-inch alloys with a diamond-machined surface and finished in matte black. Yes, please…
