New car news

16 July 2009 - 11:00

Golf coarse

See more ABT Golf GTI pics

If there's one thing the new Golf GTi needs, it's a little more drama. So thank heavens for tuners ABT, who've just given the GTi a shot of much-needed adrenalin.
 
We'll skip past the changes to the body, which are standard on pimped-up tuning jobs, and go straight to the engine. ABT has given the Golf's 2.0-litre TSI a light workout, upping power from 156kW to 178kW. Part of that extra grunt come from a new exhaust, which is rounded off with quad pipes and - you'd hope - a meatier sound than the standard car can manage.
 
And of course, the job wouldn't be complete without a suspension drop. The brakes have been sorted too, though the standard stoppers weren't shy.
 
Tuning firm ABT has been tuning things for 50 years now, so it knows its stuff. Though that does make us wonder - what did a slamming bodykit look like in 1959?

Now watch Jeremy thrash the outrageous Golf GTI W12 concept: