KEMPTEN, Germany — Christian Abt and his merry band of tuners have set their wrenches to improving the sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI, offering two stages of performance upgrades.
ABT Sportsline's basic package takes the GTI's standard 207-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI engine to 256 hp, primarily through optimization of the engine management system. The next step is to swap in an ABT turbocharger, which boosts output to 296 hp and trims 0-60-mph acceleration to less than 6.0 seconds.
For good measure, ABT upgrades the GTI's brakes and chassis, with a new set of springs that drops ride height by 1.2 inches.
No ABT conversion would be complete without the usual aero accoutrements — in this case, a new front apron with integral running lamps, side sills, rear spoiler and rear apron with an integral diffuser shrouding quad tailpipes.
Inside Line says: Go faster, go sleeker with this conversion. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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