ABT Sportsline has just unveiled its latest creation. It is the ABT XGT, based on the Audi R8, which incorporates the experience of the team after over 300 races in DTM alone.
With over 300 races in DTM, over 250 podiums, dozens of individual victories, and several driver and constructor titles, ABT might know a thing or two about racing.
But now, it is not about a victory on the racetrack. It is about putting a racing car on the road. It is the ABT XGT, built in partnership with Scherer Sport, combines two worlds: motor racing meets street driving in the ultimate machinery.
ABT claims that none of their cars represents their philosophy "From the racetrack to the road" more than this one right here.
It took them two years and a load of challenges to build 99 examples in their Kempten factory in Germany, all based on the Audi R8 LMS GT2 and all hand-built according to the customers’ specifications. It is, the team claims, the most exclusive vehicle that has ever left the ABT factory.
Powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine with four valves per cylinder and four overhead camshafts, it comes with 630 horsepower (640 PS) in a rear-wheel drive setup. The engine is mated to a seven-speed S-tronic gearbox with paddle shifters. The car weighs 3,086 pounds (1,400 kilograms).
Photo: ABT Sportsline
ABT struggled to maintain its character and design and yet make it the closest thing to a race car. Top speed is electronically limited at 193 mph (310 kph).
Developed on the Nurburgring, Sachsenring, and Hockenheim, where it covered thousands of miles, with the help of DTM drivers Kevin van der Linde and Ricardo Feller, the XGT is, above all, a racing machine in every respect. ABT Motorsport Director and racing driver Martin Tomczyk gave a helping hand.
The looks of it, the way it glues to the tarmac, the steering, and the acceleration are far over what normal street cars can offer.
The car received a race-tuned suspension with two adjustment levels. The team had to modify the exhaust system to fulfill the KBA’s emission specifications.
The cabin also screams ‘racing.’ The race display on board shows tire pressure, speed, and fuel consumption, but also gear selection, engine oil and cooling water temperature.
Meanwhile, the control center in the inter console hosts the main switch and handbrake installed for road approval. Furthermore, the steering wheel is specifically made for the racing version. A reversing camera and immobilizer were added for road use.
What came out of the ABT engineers’ hands is not a super sports car with the looks of a race car, but a road-legal racing car. Whoever wants to drive it home will have to start negotiations at 598,000 euros (the equivalent of 652,935 at the current exchange rates), including VAT.
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