Abt XGT: Action Equals Reaction

Abt takes an Audi R8 GT2 race car and transforms it into a road-legal supercar. The Abt XGT redefines the pecking order on public roads, giving even a Porsche 911 GT3 RS a run for its money.

Unleashing Power on the Autobahn

A gentle left turn on the highway – normally nothing special. But the Skoda Octavia driver ahead will remember this one for a long time. After cruising in the right lane, we decide it’s time to unleash Pandora’s box of acceleration. Second, third, fourth gear – the V10 engine screams as we shift with the paddle shifters. Bam, bam, bam! The green LEDs on the dashboard flash violently, accompanied by the raw sound of the V10’s angry howl. There’s no sound insulation, so every roar of combustion rushes straight to our ears. We revel in the unbridled, savage sound. But it’s a different story for the Skoda driver ahead. As the acoustic tsunami hits his cabin, he visibly flinches and starts to weave slightly.

The rolling beast we’re driving is the Abt XGT. At first glance, it might look like a souped-up Audi R8 with a massive rear wing. But this is no ordinary street car – it’s a purebred GT2 race car with road approval. That transformation didn’t come without significant changes. “Behind the license plate are over 40 individual approvals,” says ex-racer Martin Tomczyk, now Director of Motorsport at Abt.

No joke: From the Track to the Road

Getting the XGT road-ready required some serious adjustments – diagnostics, emissions regulations, and crash safety, just to name a few. It was no small task, and the car doesn’t even carry an Audi VIN but an Abt one, highlighting the scale of the transformation. As you might guess, this isn’t a cheap project. Only 99 will be built, with a price tag starting at €599,200. To make the car more suitable for everyday use, a few comforts have been added, like air conditioning and a ride height that’s 10-15 mm higher than the race version to avoid scraping on every bump. There’s even a lift system for the front axle, and instead of the 18-inch racing wheels, the XGT rolls on 19-inch tires up front and 20-inch ones in the rear.

The transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch, but you’ll need to shift manually, keeping the experience raw and unfiltered. It only disengages automatically in first gear, which is handy when stopping at a red light. For reversing, the XGT comes with a rear-view camera – a must, given the poor visibility from the rear window, which is further obstructed by the massive rear wing.

Racing DNA in Every Detail

The Abt team spent over two years crafting this purist road sports car, and its racing genes are clear from the start. The driver has to slide through a roll cage into the racing seat, secured by a four-point harness. The seat is fixed, and adjustments are made via the steering column and movable pedals. Inside, the cabin is all about racing minimalism. The steering wheel has two “horns” and is dotted with buttons, much like the center console, where every switch has a purpose. Even starting the car feels like arming a jet. First, you flip a plastic cover to access the power button, then press it to get the systems up and running.

With a faint whir, the car powers up. One more press, and the silence is shattered. The 5.2-liter V10 engine behind the driver roars to life, signaling it’s ready to go. The intake on the roof growls as it sucks in air. We engage first gear with the right paddle shifter, and the XGT lurches forward like a racehorse in the starting gate, eager to bolt. Its 470 kW (640 hp) and over 550 Nm of torque are ready to redefine dominance on public roads.

Speed Meets Agility

Top speed wasn’t the primary goal for the engineers – it was agility. But let’s be clear: with a maximum speed of 310 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.2 seconds, the XGT has few rivals in any performance category. “At 200 km/h, the car generates around 900 kg of downforce,” explains Tomczyk. That’s essential, as the XGT’s carbon fiber body helps it weigh just 1,450 kg with a 90% full tank. Without that downforce, the car could easily turn into a missile. Instead, it sticks to the road like glue.

Every corner feels effortless, as if it’s a slight modification to a straight line. The XGT is the real deal when it comes to cornering, fulfilling the promise of action equaling reaction. Every movement of the ultra-direct steering leads to an immediate change in direction, and every touch of the gas pedal results in instantaneous acceleration – pure racing thrills. The same goes for the steel brakes, which require a solid stomp to unleash their full stopping power.

After a few kilometers, you get used to the XGT’s directness and begin to feel one with the machine. The Abt XGT is addictive – certainly not for everyone, but pure bliss for true racers.