German tuner ABT Sportsline has created something rather special to celebrate its 125th anniversary and fittingly it’s named after the company’s founder Johann Abt. Based on the Audi RS6 Avant, just 64 Johann Abt Signature Edition cars will be built, one for each year that the Bavarian blacksmith was alive.
It is certainly a celebration of speed too, with the RS6’s 4-litre twin-turbo V8 cranked up to 589 kW and 980 N.m (the standard car produces 441 kW and 800 N.m). The ABT creation will surge from 0-100 km/h in just 2,91 seconds, according to claims, and that’s a good 0,7 second quicker than the regular RS 6. The top speed also increases to 330 km/h, from 305 km/h.
Engine mods include a set of ABT upgraded turbochargers, developed in-house, as well as larger intercoolers, an additional oil cooling system and ABT engine control unit. Drivers can choose from three modes: Eco, Power and Race.
ABT has tinkered with the chassis too, installing ABT height-adjustable suspension springs and anti-roll bars, and there’s a bespoke aero package that was tested extensively in a wind tunnel. An extra turbulence inducer provides 150 kg of additional downforce on the rear axle, ABT says.
“The Johann Abt Signature Edition represents the culmination of many months of development and concentrated engineering skill,” ABT says.
“In the high-tech wind tunnel in Stuttgart and on the High Speed Oval in Papenburg, our racing drivers have painstakingly tested these specifications in real-world conditions: Air resistance, top speed, downforce at 330 km/h, acceleration, lane changing, braking, handling and driving dynamics”.
Customers can also look forward to hand-sewn sports seats, leather-trimmed doors, Carbon Red trim, a matt black anodised aluminium ‘time capsule’ and an ABT halo projection.
