ABT Bids Farewell to VW Golf GTI Mk6 with Last Edition Special at Essen Motor Show

With the presentation of the VW Golf GTI Mk7 Concept alongside the regular Golf hatchbacks at the Paris Motor Show in September, it’s only a matter of time before we see the production ready model – as little as three months, if the Germans decide to show the car in Geneva, as we've heard. 



To honor the departing model, German tuning brand of all things related to the VW Group, ABT Sportsline, introduced a "Last Edition" version of the current Golf GTI Mk6 at the Essen Motor Show, which runs until December 9.

The ABT VW Golf GTI Last Edition is offered in two flavors as far as power is concerned, a base model with a reprogrammed ECU that lifts the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine's output from 211PS (208hp) to 260PS (256hp), and a stage II version gaining a new turbocharger with 310PS (306hp).

The GTI also gets a sports suspension that lower's the ride height by 25mm (1 inch) with the 310PS model gaining a new braking system with 345mm discs as well.

ABT Sportsline rounds out the package with cosmetic touches in the form of an aero kit with a front apron that includes a lip spoiler and LED daytime running lights, side skirts, a rear diffuser with a diagonal 4-pipe exhaust system and a roof spoiler, all of which feature red accents, plus new alloy wheels and red splash decals on the body.

Last but not least, ABT said that it will offer the final edition Golf GTI package at "special" prices, without providing specific MSRPs.

 

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Techart Bringins New 911s to Essen

The Techart GTStreet RS will apparently be one of the fastest and most powerful cars at the show thanks to a power kit that raises output to a lethal 700 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque (up from 530 hp and 502 lb-ft). Performance details for the 911 Carrera S are being kept under wraps. Techart did disclose that it will wear a unique aero body kit tested in a wind tunnel, which includes a front spoiler that reduces lift on the Carrera's front axis by 5kg at 87 mph, and a rear spoiler that provides an additional 17.5kg of downforce at the same speed. We should get more details and pictures when the show kicks off on 1 December.

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Startech Goes Retro with Land Rover Series 3.1 Concept at the Essen Motor Show

Startech, a Brabus subsidiary that focuses its tuning attention on Jaguar-Land Rover Group models, released a new concept based on the latest Land Rover Defender at the Essen Motor Show that runs for the public from December 1 to 9.

Named the Defender Series 3.1 Concept, the study is inspired by the classic Land Rover Series III, which was produced from 1971 to 1984.

The German company's designers applied the Series III's iconic styling cues with a modern twist on the Defender through a raft of components starting with the new fascia featuring the classic grille complete with two round 7-inch LED headlights. The smaller upper lamps on either side work as daytime running lights, while the turn signals just below them also feature LED technology.

Startech also fitted the concept with larger power mirrors and stainless-steel running boards with integrated LED entrance lights that are activated with the remote or by pulling on a door handle, while the 4x4 rides on old-school style heavy-duty steel 18-inch wheels shod in 285/60 R 18 off-road tires.

Inside, the tuner abandoned the vintage look and opted for additional luxury amenities such as the soft black leather white decorative seams covering the sport Recaro seats whose back shells are painted white, dashboard, door panels, steering wheel and gear shift levers.

On the center stack, there's a new infotainment system with a Sony XAV-601BT 6.1-inch head unit and a pop up screen on the top of the dashboard.

For the rear passengers’ entertainment, Startech fitted the Defender concept with two Sony tablet computers mounted on the seat back shells.

The German tuner said that the study is almost production ready and could see a limited run if there's enough interest from customers.

 

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