ABT VW New Beetle Cabriolet (2003)

ABT VW New Beetle Cabriolet

Hardly any other vehicle evokes such powerful and exciting memories like the VW Beetle. And there is hardly another comeback in the automobile branch that is so popular and greeted with so much enthusiasm as that of the New Beetle. Abt Sportsline adds to its fascination - with numerous technical and optical features for the best-seller. With the Abt New Beetle "classic", the Kempten tuning company builds a bridge from yesteryear to today. And for sporting and ambitious Beetle fans, the new rally collection from the motorsport family from Bavaria leaves no wish unfulfilled.

Nostalgia has no place as far as technology is concerned. When it comes to power enhancement, only high-tech solutions are applied. The 2.0-litre engine receives a power plus to ca. 105 kW (143 hp) thanks to capacity enhancement by 200 cubic centimetres, a customized Abt crankshaft, special pistons, Abt camschafts, a cylinder head modification, a mid-silencer, optimised air ducting as well as changes to the electronic engine management. Abt expertise in the ECU field ensures an increase in the 1.8-litre turbo-engine from 110 kW (150 hp) to 142 kW (193 hp). For the 1.9-litre TDI, Abt provides an increase from 66 kW (90 hp) to 85 kW (112 hp).

Abt also provides additional accessories for the New Beetle including two types of back-silencers, an aluminium gear lever knob, aluminium pedals, stainless steel running boards, as well as a set of floormats displaying the Abt Sportsline logo. Aside from the brake kit, Abt also offers steel-braided brake lines for the New Beetle. Additionally, a New Beetle owner can choose between 14 wheels, one of them being the brand-new Z5 wheel (8 x 18") presented on the IAA motor show.

For those with a penchant for nostalgia, the Kempten team developed parts for the Abt New Beetle "classic" after taking a close look at old photo archives. The team then created a spectacular body kit reflecting the original Beetle in a inspiring way, for example with running board sets, mudguard as well as a front and rear bumper. A front grill, chrome fog headlamp frame, headlamp visor and the matching V-rims (7.5 x 17 inch) rounds off the New Beetle body kit from the House of Abt.

A very special example of the New Beetle caused a sensation in German rallying: Together with natural gas supplier Thyssengas, Abt enters a Beetle in the German Rally Challenge series and the German Rally Championship. The highlight: The 230 hp model uses natural gas instead of traditional fuel. The popular contender passed its dress rehearsal perfectly as a course-opening car at the Deutschland Rally. It also collected plenty of trophies already. With this, Abt Sportsline confirms that the company motto "from the racetrack to the road" is more than just a saying. The spectacular range for the Rally Beetle, including roll-cage and extra headlights, can be ordered separately or as a complete package.