Enhancing An Icon

Abt Sportsline, the world’s largest provider of aftermarket products for cars produced by the Volkswagen Group, has unveiled a range of styling, performance and handling enhancements for the fifth generation VW Golf. By working very closely with VW on the development of the new products, Abt has been able to launch them at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the event that marks the first public showing of the all-new Golf.

The most obvious of the new products is the discreet yet muscular bodykit that comprises a front spoiler extension, side skirts, deeper rear bumper and rear wing. The purposeful appearance is rounded off with the addition of Abt’s SP1 19-inch alloy wheels.

To back up the good looks, Abt is offering software upgrades that help to extract additional pace from the Golf’s engine line-up. The first in a series of engine management system upgrades is for Volkswagen’s two-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel powerplant, with the Abt enhancement increasing power to 170 PS (168bhp) from the standard car’s 140 PS (138bhp). Other engine tuning packs will be announced over the coming months.

Handling is taken care of by a new Abt sports suspension kit featuring height-adjustable springs, tailored to optimise the dynamics of VW’s all-new family hatchback. The Abt Golf also promises to sound as well as it goes, thanks to a four-pipe exhaust silencer.

Abt has been able to accelerate much of the development work for the new products by drawing on its successful involvement in motorsport. The company is a participant in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM – Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), and last year Audi works driver Laurent Aiello claimed the DTM Driver's Championship in an Abt-Audi TT-R.

To further enhance the new Golf’s impressive standard safety characteristics, Abt will soon reveal a sports brake system featuring steel flex brake lines. Abt’s performance, handling and styling products for the VW Golf can be purchased from local Volkswagen centres as individual aftermarket products, or ordered as part of the purchase of a new vehicle.

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