ABT's Widebody A1 is a 400HP Audi Hot Hatch

About as radical as you can go, with an A1

ABT is one of Germany's most respected aftermarket tuning specialists and they do a tidy trade in go-faster Audis. No surprise that ABT would take interest in the latest generation A1 and this one-off custom car they have built is extraordinary. Beneath all those surface graphics and crazy winglets is an A1 platform. 

Red and back time attack

Viewed from the rear, there is a lot to take in. The stance is notably wider than a standard A1, thanks to much wider fenders, and in that oversized rear bumper is huge custom-crafted exhaust ends. From the rear, this ABT A1's 50/50 graphic distribution is also clearly visible. One side of the car is red and the other side, black. Atop the tailgate, there is a large fixed spoiler, too.  

>>Join the conversation about the ABT A1 right here in the AudiWorld Forum.

Made to be edgy

The disrupted geometry graphics are not merely for show. Their patterns work with the spoilers and fenders, to create a much edgier surface treatment for this ABT A1. Overall, the hatch is 2.1-inches wider than a factory A1. 

>>Join the conversation about the ABT A1 right here in the AudiWorld Forum.

Fascinating at each wheel corner

Viewed up close, the detailing of those massive fenders can be seen. They house 19-inch alloy wheels. These new hoops are forged, instead of cast, for additional structural reinforcement. Even more interesting, are their aero insets, which reduce drag at speed.  

>>Join the conversation about the ABT A1 right here in the AudiWorld Forum.

Don't eat or mess a drink in here

ABT has reupholstered most of its A1 concept's cabin with Alcantara or suede. The treatment is quite radical and goes way beyond what most OEMs do, with Alcantara being limited to some steering wheel rim-trim or seat edges. In the ABT A1, it is virtually everywhere - and that means you really don't want to forget some candy inside here, on a hot day.   

>>Join the conversation about the ABT A1 right here in the AudiWorld Forum.

Has go to match the show

Beyond the amazing appearance, this ABT A1 is credibly powerful, too. It runs a 2.0 TFSI engine, which boosts up to 400hp. ABT has redone the ECU's parameters to liberate more power from the Audi four-cylinder engine. Best of all, they have run straight exhausts from the engine to the rear bumper, which means this is a four-pot with significant sound at full throttle.  

>>Join the conversation about the ABT A1 right here in the AudiWorld Forum.

This ABT A1 has your back

With 400hp powering it along, ABT has decided to ensure that this A1 is both stiffer and safer. Where the rear seats were, it has inserted a half-cage. This provides roll-over protection but also increases the car's rear-third stiffness, which should make for better handling dynamics, especially at high corner loads. Or on bumpier road surfaces. 

>>Join the conversation about the ABT A1 right here in the AudiWorld Forum.

Very different from a stock A1

This side-by-side image of the ABT A1, with a more conventional A1, shows how radical the project car is. The wider stance, deep front spoiler/splitter, front quarter panel winglets and reshaped bonnet all distinguish it. Although ABT is not going to do a production run of this radical A1s, some of the lessons learned during its fabrication and assembly will surely find their way into the company's A1 catalog of future parts. 

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.