Month: April 2022

With the first official test of 2022, the final preparations for the new DTM season are really taking off. On Tuesday and Wednesday, all DTM teams will test for two days at the Hockenheimring, before two more official test days and the first race are scheduled for the end of April at Portimão, Portugal.

ABT Sportsline enters the 2022 season as the most successful active DTM team with 22 DTM years behind them. The record of the Bavarian team so far: four drivers’ championships, five team titles, 71 victories and 229 podiums in 253 DTM races.

“2022 is a very special year for ABT Sportsline,” says Head of Sports Marketing Harry Unflath. “In 1952, exactly 70 years ago, Johann Abt won the first race of his career and thus laid the foundation for today’s Team ABT Sportsline. Successes in the DTM have always been extremely valuable for us and fit perfectly with our motto ‘From the racetrack to the road’.”

With the reigning German GT Champion Ricardo Feller (Switzerland), three-time DTM Champion René Rast (Germany) and last year’s overall third-placed Kelvin van der Linde (South Africa), Team ABT Sportsline has the best prerequisites to continue its unique success story in the DTM.

This year, professional photographers and fans have an additional incentive to set their sights on the three ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II cars. The ABT Photo Challenge 2022 is looking for the best photos from the 2022 DTM with reference to Team ABT Sportsline in the three categories action, emotions and partners.

All photos published on social media with the two hashtags #DTM and #TeamABTSportsline during the race weekends and the following three days are automatically eligible for the competition. After each DTM event, fans can vote via Team ABT Sportsline’s social media channels and choose the best photo in each of the three categories. The winners of each category will receive valuable prizes.

At the end of the season, all the winning photos will be entered into the grand final of the ABT Photo Challenge 2022. The partners of Team ABT Sportsline will form the jury together with the team management consisting of Hans-Jürgen Abt, Team Principal Thomas Biermaier, Head of Sports Marketing Harry Unflath and Team Manager Roger Köhler as well as the three ABT DTM drivers.

The partners of Team ABT Sportsline in the 2022 DTM are providing top-class prizes for the competition: The illustrious palette ranges from Fujitsu notebooks to air fresheners and hand-held hoovers of the Hyla brand to a car preparation by long-standing partner Sonax. ABT Sportsline is contributing valuable chronographs. The list of all prizes will be available at www.abt-sportsline.com/motorsport/dtm-photo-challenge from the end of April.

15 renowned companies will be supporting ABT Sportsline in the 2022 DTM. New to the DTM are Hyla – most recently the team’s partner in Formula E – Hylo and Porta. Audi Sport customer racing, Casamoda, H&R, Fujitsu, MAN, Ravenol, Remus, Riedel, Schaeffler, the Scherer Group, Sonax and Südpack already supported Team ABT Sportsline in the DTM last year.

The SUV coupé Formentor is the first completely independent vehicle of the still young CUPRA brand. The dynamic and elegant design is already impressive when standing still. But the VZ5, which is limited to 7,000 vehicles, shows that even sports cars have a real opponent here. After all, the charismatic 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine of the most powerful Formentor produces an impressive 390 HP (287 kW) and 480 Nm. And that is even slightly more than a current Porsche Carrera, although there is a stalemate when it comes to acceleration. Both need 4.2 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. But anyone who wants to pass the legendary sports car with confidence can now have this wish fulfilled by ABT Sportsline. The world’s largest automotive aftermarket and performance parts specialist for Audi and VW is now offering a performance upgrade specially developed for the VZ5, which is something to be proud of. Thanks to ABT Power S*, the CUPRA’s performance increases to a remarkable 450 HP (331  kW), with maximum torque rising to 530 Nm. The renowned company underpins its trust in performance enhancements with extensive guarantees and engine protection measures on several levels.

A look at the test protocols documents what the increase in performance means in practice: from a standstill, 100 km/h was reached in an impressive 3.9 seconds. This corresponds to an improvement of three tenths. Those who do not want the propulsion to end at the usual 250 km/h can also turn to the Bavarian tuning experts with confidence on this point. In addition to the ABT Power S, the top speed can be increased to 270 km/h.

Want an even stronger look in addition to the more powerful heart? ABT Sportsline offers several attractive wheel variants for the CUPRA Formentor VZ5. The 20-inch SPORT GR design is available in both matt black or glossy black. The special eye-catcher here is the diamond polished surface or lip. But an impressive 21 inches are also possible – in the form of the SPORT HR. The multi-spoke design is completely painted glossy black and radiates bold sportiness. As always, all vehicle models and combination options can be found in the ABT configurator.

Until 2011, the S3 was Audi’s most powerful representative in the compact class. Ten years later, it received an even more powerful superior in the form of the RS 3. It became particularly desirable thanks to its 5-cylinder engine, a clear commitment to the brand’s sporty history. Since 2021, the third generation of the “Hot Hatch” has been on the road, but it is also available again as an elegant saloon. Compared to its predecessor, the performance on track has improved considerably, as car magazines noted. In terms of horsepower, however, there is a stalemate, with the only difference being a small increase in torque compared to the second generation. Those who want more than the 400 HP (294 kW) offered as standard can now satisfy this desire with an ABT Power performance upgrade*.

The world’s largest automotive aftermarket and performance parts specialist for Audi and VW installs its legendary high-tech ABT Engine Control (AEC) in the RS 3 on request. “The software has been specially adapted to the vehicle by our experienced team and tested on the road and on the test bench in countless hours of work. A comprehensive package of engine protection measures and warranty services ensures driving pleasure without remorse,” explains managing partner Hans-Jürgen Abt. A whopping 460 HP (338 kW) are on the data sheet after the “ABTgrade” and not only there. The performance-enhanced vehicle takes an impressive 0.2 seconds off the standard 0 to 100 km/h sprint, which is now completed in 3.6 seconds. If desired, the RS 3 can even become a member of the “Club 300”: ABT Sportsline also offers the option of significantly increasing the electronically controlled top speed.

Further products are already being planned and can be researched and accessed on a daily basis via the ABT configurator. Already available there are the ABT integrated entrance lights, which project the company logo onto the asphalt when the door is open.

For years, Webcon has produced an excellent Weber 32/36 carburettor kit to replace the troublesome Solex DIDTA that was fitted to the Opel 1900cc Manta and Rekord models between 1970 and 1975.
That kit used the Weber 32/36DGV manual choke carburettor and it is still available as a complete, turn key replacement that is specially jetted to suit the engine and with all parts needed to complete the swap.

However, more recently, demand has increased for auto-choke versions and Webcon is pleased to announce that auto choke kits are now available.

The new auto-choke kits are manufactured to exactly the same high standard as the manual 32/36 kits and use only genuine Spanish Weber carburettors.

The range of Weber 32/36 DGAV/DGEV kits for the 1900 Manta & Rekord is now as shown below:

Reference Choke Carburettor Retail price
2268092500 Manual Weber 32/36 DGV £303.19 plus VAT
2268092505 Water Auto Weber 32/36 DGAV £330.20 plus VAT
2268092508 Electric Auto Weber 32/36 DGEV £331.20 plus VAT

Available directly from Webcon and from appointed Webcon dealers around the world.
For further details contact Webcon UK on +44 (0)1932 787100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk

Webcon is pleased to announce that its long awaited inlet manifold sets to suit the Weber IDA3C carburettors fitted to Porsche flat 6 engines are now in stock and ready to ship.

Beautifully crafted by Webcon in the UK, the new manifolds are 90mm tall and feature extra strengthening to ensure superb performance and longevity. They also feature the correct shaped plug lead holes to allow the OE plug lead grommets to be used.

The new manifolds are available for both 40IDA3C and 46IDA3C and perfectly complement the new, genuine Weber IDA carburettors (shown fitted in the image) which were recently re-introduced by Webcon.

Part Number Suits Retail Price per set
MW4340 40IDA3C £659 plus VAT
MW4346 46IDA3C £659 plus VAT

Available directly from Webcon and from appointed Webcon dealers around the world.
For further details contact Webcon UK on +44 (0)1932 787100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk

Worn or damaged window rails can cause the glass to rattle, make winding difficult, allow rain to leak into the door causing rust and generally looks pretty scruffy.

Now, Mini Spares has produced its own direct replacement kit for Mk3 Minis with roll-up windows using stainless steel for the rail supports.

The kit contains parts ALA5746SS and ALA5747SS – a pair of drop rails – plus two 24A948 rubber seals for the drop rails to hold the glass firmly in place.

The kit can be ordered as part number MSSK2105SS. It is suitable for one door and retails at £38.40 inc VAT.

These parts are also available separately.

For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com

Looking for an easy-to-fit exhaust system for your classic MIni at a sensible price? Then look no further than Mini Spares.

Mini Spares is now offering three different exhausts systems with the most expensive retailing at only £61.94 inc VAT. All systems are spilt into two sections for ease of fitment.

GEX155 – Exhaust System with Twin Box for Mini Van, Estate & Pickup
This complete exhaust system for the 850/998cc van and estate cars comes with twin silencer boxes and is supplied in two sections for ease of transporting and fitting. The longest section is 69“ long. £61.94 inc VAT.

GEX177 – Exhaust System with Twin Box for Saloon (Small Bore).
This complete 2 part exhaust is now made to fit the early floor start type as well as every later car. 60″ long. £61.94 inc VAT.

GEX106 – Exhaust Single Box 850/1000
This is the standard single silencer exhaust for the 850cc saloon and runs from the bottom of the cast iron exhaust manifold to the rear bumper. Supplied as a two piece system. £42.24 inc VAT.

Mini Spares can also supply the appropriate fitting kit for each exhaust.

For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com

M-Style is pleased to announce it now has lowering spring sets from AC Schnitzer for BMW F40 models.
AC Schnitzer springs are uprated compared to the standard factory springsHowever, they are not overly so, meaning that they provide improved handling and cornering without making the day-to-day ride uncomfortable.
The set of four springs is just £369 inc. VAT and M-Style can provide fitting for just £90 inc. VAT.

­For further details e-mail info@mstyle.co.uk or call 0208 598 9115

M-Style now has genuine carbon fibre shift paddles for most BMW models. Not only do they look fantastic they also incorporate a red rubber back for a surer grip when shifting enthusiastically.

The paddles are £219 per pair inc. VAT and are simple to fit. However, if you prefer M-Style can fit them for you for just £60 inc. VAT.

­For further details e-mail info@mstyle.co.uk or call 0208 598 9115

The latest Mk2 version of the Ford Transit Connect features a redesigned suspension; despite this, leading suspension tuner GAZ has been experimenting to see how it can be improved.

The fruits of their labours is the new GAZ GHA suspension kit for the Connect Mk2 that provides ride height adjustability from -25mm to -55mm. The lowering of the centre of gravity improves both road holding and handling.

The height adjusters have a coarse acme form thread for ease of adjustment and the damper units are zinc plated to ensure that they remain in good order – even after considerable service.

Damper rates are variable by means of an adjuster knob on the damper body. The damper rate can be adjusted to suit the load being carried or for improved performance.

All the units are individually tested before leaving the factory and are covered by a two year warranty.

The GAZ Coilover Kit for the Ford Transit Connect Mk2 retails at £658.21 plus VAT per kit.

For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com