You Can Already Get An Aftermarket Kit For The Audi Q8

ABT Sportsline is one of the first companies to extract more power from Audi’s new flagship SUV.

The Audi Q8 hasn’t been on sale for very long, but aftermarket tuners are already busy tinkering with the automaker’s new flagship SUV. German tuner ABT Sportsline has become one of the first companies to upgrade the newest member of the Audi Q family with a power boost, larger alloy wheels, and some interior modifications. Specifically, the tuner has upgraded the Q8 50 TDI quattro, which is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine that pumps out 282 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.

This is more than enough power for most owners, but ABT’s power kit increases the output to 325 hp and 479 lb-ft of peak torque. Surprisingly, ABT doesn’t say how this affects the SUV’s performance, but it’s safe to say it should shave a few tenths of a second off standard model’s 6.3-second 0-62 mph sprint time. Top speed will have also likely increased compared to the standard Q8, which maxes out at 144 mph.

In addition, ABT has fitted a set of massive 22-inch wheels. Two designs are available, including the ABT FR in black with polished spoke edges and the ABT Sport GR with a concave rim base finished in either matte black or gloss black.

Inside, the tweaks are subtle. ABT has added a start-stop switch finished in premium-quality metal and door welcome lights that project the ABT logo on the floor. All-in-all, it’s not the most comprehensive upgrade, but ABT says it’s working on a new aero kit that should further distinguish it from the standard model. No doubt we’ll see more aftermarket tuning companies offer unique takes on Audi’s new flagship SUV in the future.

You Can Already Buy A Tuned Audi RS5 Coupe With Over 500 Horsepower

450 horsepower not enough for your Audi RS5? ABT Sportsline has the solution.

The 2018 Audi RS5 was only revealed a few months ago at the Geneva Motor Show as a rival to the BMW M4, but it hasn’t taken long for tuners to work their magic on the potent German sports coupe. Considering the RS5 already packs 450 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque courtesy of its new twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, you would think that most owners would be satisfied with its performance. German tuner ABT Sportsline strongly disagrees, however, and has released its first performance package which cranks up the power considerably.

With the package installed, ABT has managed to extract an additional 60 horses and 59 lb-ft of torque, resulting in an RS5 that now cranks out 510 horsepower and 502 lb-ft. ABT is charging 4,760 Euros including assembly for current owners of the RS5 to have the package installed, which works out at around $5,600. No performance figures have been supplied, but the increase in power should make the upgraded coupe quicker than the standard model. For reference, the standard RS5 needs just 3.9 seconds to sprint from 0-62 mph and maxes out at an electronically limited 155 mph, or 174 mph with the optional R5 Dynamic Package fitted. ABT isn’t only offering a performance bump, either.

Those who want their RS5 to stand out from the crowd can choose from a range of distinctive 20-inch alloys and integrated LED entrance lights mounted in the front doors that project the tuner’s logo onto the floor. If that still isn’t enough for you, ABT hinted that it’s working on "an even more powerful and limited model." Watch this space.

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The Audi TT RS May Already Be Sold Out Depending On Where You Live

This awesome RS model may already be a future collectible.

We are extremely excited for the upcoming Audi TT RS and have even referred to it as a baby-Lamborghini. The TT RS is pretty special with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine making 400 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. If the TT RS's specs haven't impressed you enough to run to the dealership and buy one, you may be too late. According to Audi's UK website, "Audi UK has been allocated an extremely limited number of cars. No factory orders available, Centre stock only." Pistonheads reports that you won't be able to choose your options anymore.

Audi UK dealerships have ordered a variety of colors and option packages, but you will have to find the one you want. If a dealership hasn't ordered one exactly how you want, you might be disappointed. The UK's first run of TT RS models was only 200 examples. Audi needs to meet demand for the US RS3 sedan, which uses the same engine. The TT RS has not reached US dealerships yet, but this news does not bode well for American customers. Audi is already very stingy with which RS models are sold in the US, and we doubt that TT RS models will be easy to find at US dealerships. If the TT RS continues to be pushed to the side for the RS3, it could end up being even more rare than the Porsche Cayman GT4.

We think that this early news about the TT RS bodes well for its collectibility in the future. The TT RS doesn't have a US price as of now, but we wouldn't be surprised if they sell if a significant dealer markup when they hit showrooms.

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Audi's Already Taken Over 10,000 Orders For The New e-tron

It may take a while to fulfill all those orders, however.

The first of anything from a major manufacturer is bound to elicit enthusiastic response from the public when the order books open. Especially when it's the first electric vehicle from an automaker with as wide a following as, say Audi.

In fact the latest reports indicate that the German automaker has already logged over 10,000 orders from around the world for the new e-tron – Audi's highly anticipated debut electric crossover. That's pretty impressive, considering that it just unveiled the vehicle in full for the first time just a week and a half ago.

The e-tron is Ingolstadt's challenger to the likes of the Tesla Model X, Mercedes EQC, and Jaguar I-Pace – an exclusively battery-powered crossover to launch Audi into the age of electric propulsion. It boasts as much as 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, making it more potent than even the new SQ5.

With a 95-kWh battery pack, it'll run from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and travel over 250 miles on a single charge. With a price tag starting just under $75,000 (in the US), it's one of its priciest models Audi offers, short of the R8 supercar and A8 limousine.

Production has already started at Audi's plant in Belgium, and the first customer examples are slated to begin delivery in Europe before the end of the year, with US deliveries expected to follow sometime thereafter. But don't expect to find any sitting in dealer lots, because the e-tron (at least initially) will only be made to order.

Audi hasn't said how long it will take to fulfill those orders as production ramps up, but suffice it to say that new customers placing their orders now after the books have already run into five digits may have to wait a while for delivery.