So you want an RS3 Cabrio but Audi doesn't make one. Enter ABT. The tuner’s ABT Power S package swaps in a custom-designed control unit for Audi’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder in the standard S3 Cabrio. No details are given on what parameters are changed, but it works in conjunction with a sport catalyst in the exhaust to deliver 400 horsepower. Which, of course, is exactly the same as the new RS3.
Too much power or too much money? The company offers the ABT Power package that deletes the S and the exhaust upgrade to make 370 horsepower.
Underneath the S3, ABT adds sport anti-roll bars front and rear. Wing inserts and ABT alloy wheels dress up the exterior, with customers able to choose wheel sizes from 18 to 20 inch. Special door entry lighting that projects the ABT logo on the floor rounds out the tuning treatment.
There’s no word on the cost for the ABT upgrades, but with the 400-horsepower RS3 sedan ready for its U.S. debut next week at the New York Auto Show, going with ABT could be a tough sell for folks not interested in a ragtop. But hey, when the weather's like this, who doesn't want an open-top car, particularly one with 400 horses?
Source: ABT Sportsline
Gallery: 2017 ABT Sportline Audi S3 Cabrio
Taking hearts by storm: ABT provides the Audi S3 Cabrio with 400 HP and 500 Nm
Even a hurricane can rarely reach higher wind speeds than the ABT Sportsline
performance-enhanced Audi S3 Cabrio. Electronically-controlled the well-trained rocket with
the seductive soft top reaches 265 kph. Even more so impressive is the acceleration of this
topless car with ABT Power S: Thanks to 400 HP / 294 kW and powerful 500 Nm the
standard sprint goes from zero to one hundred in just 4.6 seconds.
To achieve this impressive result, the ABT's not only run with their custom designed control unit, but also a
sport catalyst with metal cells. As the series capacity is 310 HP / 228 kW, an HP plus of
nearly 30 percent is achieved, with the maximum torque increasing by an impressive 100
Nm.
Alternatively, those who prefer something not so powerful, can select the slightly less
expensive performance package ABT Power, that is also based on the ABT Engine
Control, but is supplied without the sport catalyst. With 370 HP / 272 kW and 480 Nm the
effect is more than obvious, too. The two infernal machines are off to a stylish start with the
optional Start-Stop switch button with the illuminated ABT logo.
The suspension technology allows the Audi S3 Cabrio to enjoy an enormous power output.
Using the ABT sport anti-roll bars for the front and rear axles, the carbody can still achieve
the last touch of roll angle drive, without making the car too hard.
Its more than just light and breezy for the passengers in the stylishly refined S3 Cabrio: The
ABT fender inserts have integrated air intakes and give the Audi an even more racy
appearance. The alloy wheels offered by ABT not only look cool but also come without the
additional wind in the wheel housing no matter whether CR, DR or ER-C. Sizes from 18 to 20
inch are available and there are different finishes to choose from depending on the design.
For the perfect look, all that's missing now is the special door entry lighting, which projects
the ABT logo on the floor when getting into the car. And that's the one and only reason why
a proud owner of this attractive convertible would ever put his head down.