Volkswagen and Audi aftermarket specialists, ABT Sportsline, have set to work on the Volkswagen Golf 7 GTD. The diesel powered car that is almost a GTI is neither powerful nor sporty-looking enough according to ABT. So they’ve done a power upgrade and offered up a body kit to alleviate the problem. We think it looks the business.
By applying aerodynamic elements such as the front spoiler, revised grille, deeper side skirts and new boot lid, the attachments leave the ABT Golf GTD looking almost identical to their Golf GTI tuning effort. The body kit and wheels are all familiar from other ABT Golf 7 projects it must be said.
The headlights have received thinner details, while the mirrors are fitted unique covers. Around the rear, a four-pipe exhaust system and rear diffuser is made to look merry, giving the backend appropriate aftermarket menace. 18 and 19-inch alloy wheels are available to complete the ABT makeover.
Mechanically, ABT has upgraded the 2.0-litre diesel engine from 135 kW to 155 kW, giving it the power output of a Golf 6 GTI, with torque also going up from 380 Nm to very healthy 430 Nm. 0 to 100 km/h and top speed of the ABT GTD will no doubt both be improved as a result. That torque figure is what you’d expect to get from a 3.0-liter V6 TDI; impressive.
The standard Volkswagen Golf GTD accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 229 km/h. ABT Sportsline don’t know for sure but we reckon a 7.0 second sprint to 100 km/h and a 240 km/h top end sounds likely.
