“Power packhorse” with style and sporting spirit – the new ABT Multivan

2012 ABT T5 Multivan

The ABT Multivan reminds Hans-Jürgen Abt, CEO of the worlds largest tuning company for cars manufactured by the Volkswagen Group, of basketball player Dirk Nowitzki: “The car can manage a lot of (shopping) baskets and is fast and agile despite its XXL size.” The vehicle, plainly called “T5”, is an achiever; the ABT specialists give the great-grandson of the so-called Bulli (the original VW van) a new look, which gives the model athlete an extravagant appearance and an extremely agile feel. Of course, the additional performance provided to the Multivan by ABT also benefits its every-day properties. Power reserves are useful for anyone who wants to transport kit and caboodle, a mobile workshop or – if necessary – a complete household. Therefore: let van be a noble creature, helpful and fast. 

The modern engines of the T5 are economical and designed for diversity. The engineers of ABT Sportsline had “sportiness” and “dynamics” on their to-do list – of course, in combination with virtually matchless reliability, the hallmark of VW buses. The 2.0 TSI now achieves a powerful 240 HP (176 kW) instead of the standard 204 HP (150 kW). A torque of 400 Nm makes sure that the ABT Multivan doesn’t get “out of breath”, even when it is fully loaded. The more powerful version of the 2.0 TDI comes to a vigorous 170 HP/125 kW (standard: 140 HP/103 kW), again with a torque of 400 Nm. By the way, if you decide to buy one of the less powerful versions of the diesel engine, you can equip it with additional ABT POWER. 84 HP (62 kW) are transformed into 110 HP (81 kW), and 102 HP (75 kW) are transformed into a powerful 130 HP (96 kW).

The ABT Multivan is confident; it doesn’t make itself look small. This would not be possible anyway, because it is 5.5 metres in length with the long wheelbase of 3,400 mm. The designers from Bavaria underline the dominant appearance of the T5 even more. The aerodynamics packages are available for models with short or long wheelbases – and include a front spoiler in combination with the front grille, side and rear skirts, which make the car appear closer to the road and symbolise dynamism. The rear spoiler presses the Multivan down and makes the transport vehicle look assertive and sporty. All components are perfectly matched; rear skirt and rear spoiler form a harmonious unit in combination with the exhaust system with its two double tail pipes, typical for the ABT Sportsline premium brand. Suspension updates are designed for the bearing loads of the Multivan, but still ensure much better road holding for the “power packhorse”.

The DR 19 inch sport rim is the perfect choice to go with the dynamic look and sporty acceleration, which speeds up the large van with the 2.0 TSI petrol engine to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds. The gun metal look and the machine-relieved rim communicate motion and an urge to move forwards. Of course, the rim is also available in combination with tyres that are the perfect match for the sporty ambition and bearing load of this exceptional car.

[Source : ABT]