ABT Sportsline celebrates Polo’s 40th birthday with 230bhp upgrade
Forty years ago, when the Volkswagen Polo was first launched, the synchronistic output of 40bhp was more than enough for the 685kg small car. Fast forward four decades, though, and that total power output of the 1970s model translates into a mere power upgrade.
Hardcore and powerful
German Volkswagen tuner ABT has long fiddled with Polos to make them more hardcore and powerful with added style, and it has announced the ‘ABT VW Polo 2015’ programme which boosts power to as much as 230bhp (169kW) from the 1.8-litre TSI engine fitted to the Polo GTI.
The company’s ‘New Generation’ performance upgrades are based on a specially-developed control unit, and in the case of the 230bhp Polo, helps torque rise to a maximum of 360Nm (265lb ft). ‘40 years ago it would have taken the then brand new Porsche Turbo to beat it,’ said ABT Sportsline CEO Hans-Jürgen Abt.
ABT upgrades are available for most Polo models, with even the 108bhp (81kW) 1.2-litre TSI boosted to 138bhp (103kW) with torque of 220Nm (162lb ft). ABT says handling is enhanced with lowered 25mm (front) and 30mm (rear) springs. A wide range of 18-inch wheels with 215/35 R18 tyres can be chosen, too.
Other add-on features include various carbonfibre-look body addenda as well as an upgraded exhaust system. The three-door model can also be ‘exclusively’ fitted with a bi-coloured carbon wrap set and for the ultimate ‘exclusive’ touch, how about ABT-branded LED entrance lighting and floor mats?
ABT VW POLO 2015: DATA AND FACTS
ABT engine technology
Engine: 1.8 TSI, 1,798cc capacity, R4
Performance tuning: ABT Power ‘New Generation’
Performance: 230bhp/169kW (standard: 190bhp/141kW)
Torque: 360Nm (standard: 250 or 320Nm)
Engine: 1.2 TSI, 1,197cc capacity, R4
Performance tuning: ABT Power ‘New Generation’
Performance: 138bhp/103kW (standard: 108bhp/81kW)
Torque: 220Nm (standard: 175Nm)
ABT aerodynamics
– ABT carbon-look rear attachment above third braking light
– ABT rear skirt set
– ABT sticker set (two-coloured carbon-look)
ABT wheels
– ER-C, DR or Z-Design in 8.0 x 18-inch, ET35
– Available also as complete set of wheels and 215/35 R18 tyres.
ABT exhaust technology
– ABT muffler system with two end pipes
ABT suspension
– ABT suspension springs (FA 25 mm, RA 30 mm lowering)
ABT interior
– ABT floor mats
– ABT LED-door entrance lights with ABT logo.
For more details on the whole range of ABT tuning upgrades for the Polo, visit ABT’s website.
