Image: ABT
Image: ABT
Image: ABT
Image: ABT
Image: ABT
NewsBy: Ryan De Villiers
ABT’s XGT is a road-legal reimagining of an Audi R8 LMS GT2 race car that doesn’t sacrifice any of the GT car’s qualities of the car it’s founded on.
Image: ABT
“It was the challenge itself that spurred us on to develop this unique complete vehicle. The XGT is the quintessence of our heritage” – Hans-Jürgen Abt
The ABT XGT is a bonified race car, and that is no exaggeration. Its physique is incomparable to that of a standard Audi R8. Most notably, the ABT XGT’s side profile perfectly showcases its diminished roofline, which is a by-product of the air-scoop that oversees the road-legal race car’s frame. Additionally, the R8’s already aggressive exterior is heightened by the introduction of gaping air intakes positioned on the sides of the front bumper and the bonnet and pronounced side blades to name a few. The interior is akin to that of a fully-fleshed out GT car and is characterised by its bespoke steering wheel, a control panel, an egregious display of carbon fibre and a full roll cage.
Image: ABT
The XGT was refined over thousands of kilometres around the likes of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Sachsenring and the Hockenheimring. As such, its driving and handling characteristics are equal to that of a through-bred race car. Power is sourced from a 5,2-litre V10 that affords the XGT’s rear wheels 470 kW at 8,000 r/min. Mated to the V10 powerplant is a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox. The XGT’s total weight is 1 400 kg. For some perspective, a regular Audi R8 V10 Plus coupe tips the scales at 1 695 kg.
Image: ABT
To improve practicality, ABT has outfitted the XGT with creature comforts such as a handbrake, central locking, reversing camera and an immobiliser. Only 99 examples of the XGT will be produced. Each is accompanied by a sticker price of €580 000 (roughly R12.3 million based on current exchange rates).
Would you buy one of these ABT XGTs if you had a few million burning a hole in your pocket?
Image: ABT
Keyword: ABT’s XGT Is a Road-Legal Audi R8 LMS GT2 Race car