VW Golf GTI Mk6 Last Edition

German tuning brand of all things related to the VW Group, ABT Sportsline, introduced a "Last Edition" version of the current Golf GTI Mk6 at the Essen Motor Show, which runs until December 9.

The ABT VW Golf GTI Last Edition is offered in two flavors as far as power is concerned, a base model with a reprogrammed ECU that lifts the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine's output from 211PS (208hp) to 260PS (256hp), and a stage II version gaining a new turbocharger with 310PS (306hp).

The GTI also gets a sports suspension that lower's the ride height by 25mm (1 inch) with the 310PS model gaining a new braking system with 345mm discs as well.

ABT Sportsline rounds out the package with cosmetic touches in the form of an aero kit with a front apron that includes a lip spoiler and LED daytime running lights, side skirts, a rear diffuser with a diagonal 4-pipe exhaust system and a roof spoiler, all of which feature red accents, plus new alloy wheels and red splash decals on the body.

Last but not least, ABT said that it will offer the final edition Golf GTI package at "special" prices, without providing specific MSRPs.

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2014 Volkswagen Golf Tuning

German car magazine Autobild was able to get an early look at what three renowned VW Group tuners are reading for the new Golf hatchback with preliminary renderings and in the case of ABT, some initial details on the performance packages.

We will begin with ABT Sportline that will offer a styling kit comprising a front apron, a new grille, headlamp accents, mirror caps, side skirts, rear apron and diffuser combo together with quad exhaust pipes, plus what looks like a tailgate décor strip and, of course, a selection of wheels and a lowering kit.

Under the hood, the tuning house will optimize the electronics for the new Golf's engines. The base 1.2-liter TSI petrol is boosted from 84hp (85PS) – yes, VW does offer such a low output unit on the Golf- to 104hp (105PS) and the 1.4-liter TSI petrol from 138hp (140PS) to 163hp (165PS).

On the diesel front, the 1.6-liter TDI diesel is lifted from 104hp (105PS) to 123hp (125PS), the 2.0-liter TDI from 148hp (150PS) to 178hp (180PS) and the stronger version of the same engine, from 181hp (184PS) to 207hp (210PS).

Next up on our list of tuners is Oettinger, which is working on a more aggressive looking body kit with new front and rear bumpers, chunky side skirts, a rear diffuser, a roof spoiler, a GTI-like front grille with red accents and larger alloy wheels.

We won't get to know the full details on Oettinger's engine program until early next year, but the company did reveal that the 1.4-liter TSI will be modified to deliver up to 250-horsepower.

There's nothing wild about Bavarian aftermarket firm MTM's subtle styling kit that includes a rear apron, wheels in sizes up to 20-inches and exhaust pipes. The tuner said it will also develop power kits for the new Golf with details to be released at a later date.

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Audi S8 Boosted by ABT

The Audi A8 series featuring the most powerful iteration of the brand's new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine with a maximum output of 512-horsepower (520PS) and peak torque of 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.2 seconds.

Not too shabby - unless you ask ABT Sportsline founder Hans-Jürgen Abt who is a firm believer of pushing the performance boundaries.

The German tuner of all things related to the VW Group has prepared the AS8 package for the Audi sport limousine.

"For us, the new AS8 is the best of both worlds, that is, the best in terms of both comfort and acceleration and agility", says Abt. "After all, the AS8 has to meet our premium customers’ standards when it comes to performance and luxuriousness."

ABT was able to squeeze at least another 100 ponies and 130Nm from the bi-turbocharged V8 with final numbers pending.

Even so, the AS8 is rated at 612hp (620PS) and 780Nm (572 lb-ft) with the tuner quoting a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of about 4.0 seconds, 0-200km/h (124mph) in 13 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 290km/h (180mph).

A lowering module for the air-suspension and a choice of alloy wheel designs in sizes 19- and 20-inches complete the upgrades.

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2012 VW Beetle by ABT

The noted VW Group tuner said it is still working on the performance upgrades for the latest Beetle, which won’t arrive in customer hands until September, but it can give us an idea of what to expect based on its current offerings.

ABT will offer performance kits for the entire engine lineup in Europe with the modified 1.2 TSI petrol estimated to deliver around 140HP, up from 105HP, the 1.4 TSI petrol about 210HP, up from 160HP, while the flagship 2.0 TSI petrol is said to produce close to 240HP, up from the factory model’s 200HP.

As for the diesel engines, ABT said the tweaked 1.6 TDI will churn out 125HP instead of 105HP, and the 2.0 TDI 170HP instead of 140HP.

A lowered sport suspension and a variety of alloy wheel options including a set of 19-inch rims shown on the car in the pictures will also be available.

On the outside, ABT is preparing several packages such as an aero kit comprising of a front spoiler, a rear apron incorporating a diffuser, a large rear wing and side skirts along with unique tail pipes, special paint jobs, headlamps and tail light covers, and carbon fiber accessories.

More detailed information on ABT’s offerings for the new 2012 VW Beetle will be released at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

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