Tuners, abt, abt sportsline, golf, golf r32, hatchback, r32, vw, vw golf r32

Abt Sportsline Tunes VW R32, Hits 370 HP Note

The German tuners of Abt Sportsline have had their way with the VW Golf R32 taking the well-known and already sporty hot hatch down the road of higher horsepower. Although you'd never expect it with such few changes Abt's made to the exterior shell. Although Abt gives their R32 a new side skirt, blackened chrome dual pipes and of course, 19-inch wheels and Abt decals, very little else signals the changes Abt's got going on under that blue bonnet.

And yes, the changes are a-plenty under the hood, as Abt's tuning team took the base engine from VW and spun the dial to 11 by way of a modified motor management system and the introduction of an Abt compressor kit with supercharger and air cooling system. Those changes bump the base model up 120 horses to a tire-squealing 370 HP. Those changes to the motor also boost the top speed to over 168 MPH, with a 0-to-60 time of a mere 5.0 seconds. Five ain't scratch, but it ain't too shabby either. [via World Car Fans]

8:18 AM on Thu Mar 27 2008
By Ray Wert
1,717 views
23 comments

Comments

Ash78 at 08:27 AM on 03/27/08
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I'd be more impressed if they had visually modded it to look just like a base 2.5 Rabbit. That's just me, though.
All_Thumbs at 08:35 AM on 03/27/08
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Why is Volkswagen withholding the hotted up 5 doors from America? Makes no sense. I agree on the stealth look, btw, the more sleeper, the better.
Ash78 at 08:47 AM on 03/27/08
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@All_Thumbs: Because the GTI is the better value all around, and they're offering it in 5 doors (thankfully!)

Besides, a GTI plus a tuning chip will run with the R32 pretty well under most circumstances...for $7k or $8k less money.
stuntpuppy at 08:48 AM on 03/27/08
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"Spun the dial to 11." It's one faster.
NICKNICK at 09:20 AM on 03/27/08
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still looks like a MKV :(
drk1313 at 09:24 AM on 03/27/08
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I drive an R32 - I would bet the US required DSG trans would explode with 370 hp!
ceemonk at 09:34 AM on 03/27/08
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@ash78: Maybe by the numbers, but the R32 would run German circles around the GTI on the track.
Ash78 at 10:03 AM on 03/27/08
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@ceemonk: Definitely. Personally, I'd rather have the R32. I like torque from the basement for everyday driveability. My old man would probably sell me his '04 model (mint!) for small change, but it's still worth 80% of new price on the open market.

Besides, it's not exactly a good daily driver on my roads. My dental plan is marginal and I don't like chiropractors :D
ruggels at 10:16 AM on 03/27/08
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@ash78 - the new R32 is a fantastic daily on any road (this perspective coming from owning a MKV GTI, MKV Jetta 2.0T and MKV R32). In fact, it feels more accomplished and sorted then the GTI or Jetta.
crazygutgut at 10:34 AM on 03/27/08
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Hey Listen up honda and toyota!!! People want little cars with ass loads of HP!!!
SLR_BlowerMania at 10:38 AM on 03/27/08
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Are they still AWD?
BlownOring at 10:47 AM on 03/27/08
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Cool hot hatch but you'd still have to blow dudes rocking the automatic. The DSG is good and all but I'd still prefer to row my own gears.
Pope Dearthair the... at 10:57 AM on 03/27/08
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@crazygutgut: And while we're at it, Ford should take note of that as well.

Do want. This is the target point for my Corrado project. AWD and high horsepower in a tiny little package. Mmmm. Although I'm aiming more for the MkIV R32. Slightly less refinement, slightly more Bruce.
Ash78 at 10:58 AM on 03/27/08
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@SLRSpeedshop: Yep, all the R32 models are.

@BlownOring: That's part of the reason the MkIV is still holding its value. Purists like the old 6-speed (and it is very nice), and the tuners have a proven setup that can handle loads of tq compared to DSG.

I'm guessing this particular example is probably at the upper limit on what the DSG can handle, right?
ruggels at 10:59 AM on 03/27/08
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@SLRSpeedshop
It's an R32... so yes, of course, it's haldex awd.

@BlownOring
If you prefer rowing your own gears slower then DSG can shift for less fuel economy, it's pretty obvious/simple, but an MKIV R32 or MKV GTI. If, on the other hand, you want the fastest commercially available transmission without a clutch pedal, grab the MKV. I dunno, it's just a 'duh, no sh*t' moment every time i red the prefer to row my gears comment. Who doesn't?
BlownOring at 11:15 AM on 03/27/08
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@Ruggels
I hear you, I just think it'd be cool it they offered the option. It gives me the red ass that manuals are going the way of the dinosaur and eight track is all.
Novaload at 12:02 PM on 03/27/08
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Sleeper, yes. But it would be the awesome with a hood scOOOp.
ruggels at 12:05 PM on 03/27/08
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yeah, me too, it's just faced with the choice of a) no MKV R32 or b) DSG MKV R32 at least we got one. I would have loved a black, four door, 6MT to be honest.
vr6juan at 12:28 PM on 03/27/08
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MKV, 4 doors, DSG - fail

MKIV, 2 door, 6 speed - FTW
Picarso at 12:36 PM on 03/27/08
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I like the R32 it's got class but I can't for the life of me figure out why they put that silver beak on the front of it. The GTI looks like the sportier car head on. I would paint that immediately.
ruggels at 12:43 PM on 03/27/08
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@vr6john

4 door MKV? If you're talking a model not for sale in the us, then why not just talk MKV 2 door 6 speed, since it's an option in the same market as the 4 door?
wonkydonky at 03:46 PM on 03/27/08
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@ash78:I agree.
I guess AWD is nice, but the R32 is 3500+lbs in a small car.
Too bad they don't do an alloy block; -or if it's even possible for a VR6.
All that extra $ and the p/w is only a little better on the (stock) R32.
vr6juan at 08:37 PM on 03/27/08
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@ruggels: You may have misunderstood me...GTIs and R32s should only be manual and 2 door IMO...

I haven't completely warmed to the MKVs body style just yet...I roll with a MKIV VR6...although sometimes I secretly I wish it was a MKIII

I don't really keep up with US vs other market specs as far as cars go (I just like to look at the purty pictures), but the article above (with pic) above to me sounds like there is a 4 door R32...which to me is stupid...