The 2013 ABT AS8: A Bold Experiment in Combining Luxury and Performance
Underneath the broad umbrella of automobile engineering, there's a daring endeavor, a new class of vehicle attempting to marry the elegance of a luxurious touring car with the exhilarating strength and agility of a sports car. In 2013, ABT Sportsline introduced their interpretation of this ambitious idea with the ABT AS8, based on the Audi S8. A peculiar blend that the company playfully refers to as a "sports-car limo".
A Dual Personality Unveiled
The 2013 ABT AS8 was born out of the desire to offer the best of both worlds - the sumptuous comfort of a limousine and the pulse-racing performance of a supercar. Managing Director of ABT Sportsline, Hans-Jürgen Abt, underscores that the AS8 is meticulously designed to cater to the premium customer who refuses to compromise on either luxury or performance.
An Impressive Powerplant
At the heart of the AS8 is the Audi S8’s base 4.0 TFSI engine, a robust powerplant in its own right, boasting 520 horsepower. But ABT engineers, driven by an incessant appetite for performance, managed to coax an additional 20% power from the engine, thrusting the AS8 to an impressive 620 horsepower. Yet, the final performance test is still pending, hinting at a tantalizing prospect that the final power output might surpass this figure. The car's torque of 780 Nm, an upgrade from the base model's 650 Nm, lends it not just the ability to navigate a plethora of driving scenarios, but also the upper hand in taming them, a quintessential trait of a super sports car.
A Performance Wrapped in Luxury
For a machine that tips the scales at nearly 2 tons, the AS8 boasts an admirable acceleration. It blazes from standstill to 100 km/h in around four seconds and cruises from 60 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds when in fourth gear. Even in the fifth gear, it only requires a brief 3.5 seconds to leap from 80 to 120 km/h. In a feat that mirrors its athletic prowess, the AS8 can rocket from zero to 200 km/h in just over 13 seconds. The luxury limousine's top speed is electronically limited to 290 km/h, a number that would make most sports cars blush. ABT also offers the optional Level Control to further tweak the car's handling, lowering the center of gravity of the pneumatically suspended vehicle.
Aesthetics that Speak Performance
The 2013 ABT AS8 doesn't merely restrict its athleticism to under the hood. Its exterior aesthetics have been thoughtfully designed to reflect the dynamism of its performance. ABT recommends their sporty alloy wheels, particularly the DR and CR models, to enhance the car's overall sporty allure. Available in sizes from 19 to 21 inches and coupled with high-performance tires, these wheels are more than just eye-candy - they're built to handle the immense power this sports-car limo generates.
Conclusion: A Daring Dance Between Two Worlds
The 2013 ABT AS8 is undoubtedly a daring experiment in pushing the envelope of what a car can be, a commendable display of engineering prowess that strives to offer the luxury of a limousine without compromising on the performance of a sports car. It stands as a testament to ABT Sportsline's innovative spirit, their audacious attempts to defy conventional categories, and create a unique driving experience. Whether or not the market embraces this peculiar "sports-car limo" is yet to be seen, but one thing is certain - the AS8 isn't just a car; it's a bold statement.
-Ed
2013 ABT AS8 based on Audi S8
