The 2.7-liter bi-turbo V6 is very familiar ground to Abt's engineers. Breathing and combustion are the main issues, so the conversion takes a pair of KKK turbochargers from the RS4 and modifies them to deliver enhanced low-end torque. The bigger diameter intake system from the RS4 brings in more ram air, and larger injectors with a higher flow rate are fitted. An all-new stainless-steel sports exhaust features four free-flow metal catalysts, and the ECU is recalibrated for the new parameters, which include running with 98 Octane Super Unleaded only.
From an adequate 250 bhp at 5800 rpm, the output ramps up to a Ferrari Modena-beating 410 bhp at a screaming 7000 rpm. The allroad is a heavy and blunt car, so even more crucial was the torque increase produced by the modifications. Nobody can say that the 258 lb-ft (350Nm) of torque produced by the stock motor between 1800 and 4500 rpm is inadequate, but the 391 lb-ft (530Nm) at 3300 rpm from the modified motor surely qualifies as stump-pulling.
Despite its raised family-station-wagon appearance, the 7.3 sec., 0-to-60-mph time and 147-mph top speed of the stock allroad is fast enough to burn off most hot hatches. The Abt modifications turn it into a supercar killer with a 5.8-sec. 0 to 60 mph and 168 mph capability.
The self-leveling stock suspension is up to the job, but stopping this heavy car from such high speeds is no mean feat. This is the task of the Abt Sportsline brake kit, which uses huge 360mm and 312mm discs. They look impressive through the lightweight 9Jx19 three-piece forged alloys fitted with ultra-high-performance 255/40R19 ContiSportContact2 tires.
The Abt allroad is quick on country roads, where the good visibility from its tall driving position comes in handy. But although it will squirt very hard between corners, what it will not do is perform like a sports car in the bends. It has plenty of grip and feels stable, but you have to remember it is a large and heavy car prone to understeer in tight bends.
On the autobahn, however, the Abt allroad is viciously fast. It has plenty of presence when you appear in someone's mirror-they move over when they see you coming. The mid-range urge is simply stupendous, and what most people cannot come to terms with is how fast you can overtake and disappear over the horizon.
Abt Sportsline has turned a multi-purpose family leisure vehicle into a blindingly fast supercar killer. This is a car for the acceleration junkie who has to give up his Porsche or Ferrari when the kids arrive.-IK
ABT In The DTMAbt has a glorious history in motorsport, which began when Johann Abt made his competition debut in the 1950s. In a motorsport career that spanned two decades, Johann Abt won more than 300 events in touring cars, hill climbing and rallying.
His racing mantle continues with his son, Christian, who raced successfully in F3, the ADAC GT Cup, the STW and now the DTM. The Abt motorsport department prepares two F3 cars and one Formula Junior for clients as well as the cars for the VW Lupo Cup.
In the 1990s, Abt Sportsline prepared the STW Audi A4s for Christian and teammate Kris Nissen, who were hugely successful as privateers. For their efforts, they were consistently voted best team in various championships in the early 1990s.
Having given the factory works Audis such a hard time, it was no surprise when Christian was eventually asked to drive for the works team. One thing led to another, and for the last couple of seasons Christian has been one of the drivers in the new DTM series, with brother Hans Jurgen as team manager.