It was only a matter of time until VAG specialist ABT put its hands on the all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI and R. What we have here is a conclusive upgrade package that gives the front- and all-wheel drive hot hatches an increase in power and a catalogue of new wheels.
With all derivatives using the brands’ EA888 turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder engine, ABT has increased power on the Volkswagen Golf GTI and R via its engine control unit. With a standard power output of 180 kW and 370 N.m of torque, the front-wheel driven GTI’s output has been increased to 213 kW and 410 N.m. The all-paw driven R’s figures are increased from 235 kW and 420 N.m to 282 kW and 470 N.m.
ABT has not provided any claimed performance figures for these enhancements but the firm confirms that if you want to enhance the hot hatches’ aural and dynamic character, a tailor-made exhaust system and sporty suspension are currently under development.
Not to be made available to the South African market are the GTD and GTI Clubsport which have also been tweaked by ABT. The former of these two uses the brand’s 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel mill to produce 147 kW and 400 N.m while the latter, using the EA888, pushes 221 kW and 400 N.m. Using the same engine control unit, ABT has increased the figures on these cars to 169 kW and 440 N.m and 265 kW and 450 N.m respectively.
For those who want to add more of a visual character to the eighth-generation Golf, ABT supplies its 19-inch ER-C and 20-inch FR and Sport GR alloy wheel designs that can be finished in matte, mystic or gloss black, depending on the design you select.
This catalogue celebrates the tuning firm’s 125th anniversary year included in which is its 1982 recreation of the first generation Volkswagen Golf GTI, almost 40 years ago. This build was a bit more of a hands-on project with the retro-hatch’s 1,8-litre four-pot gaining a KKK exhaust gas turbocharger from the Audi Quattro giving it a 120 kW power output (up from the standard 81 kW figure). Alongside this was a seven-inch wide body kit and 13-inch alloy wheels to improve road-holding capabilities and add aggression to its design.
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