The Bavarian company ABT drove its tuned SQ5 to the top station of the Hörnerbahn cable car, with the sporty 4×4 SUV climbing up to an altitude of 1500 metres on quite challenging terrain so as to experience the dream of flying with a paraglider.
Even if it might seem quite obvious for the ABT Audi SQ5, the category designation “sports utility vehicle” (SUV) has nothing to do with the engine power of 425hp or with the wide-body aerodynamics package, which ensures a particularly sporty appearance.
The SUV term is rather an American term, where it is used to designate vehicles for leisure and sports. As this also includes hunting and fishing, a certain level of off-road capability is also assumed. Admittedly, the typical hunting grounds of modern SUVs are more likely to be large cities, major roads and expressways – but they have not gone all soft, either.
ABT Sportsline has provided proof of this. The Bavarian company drove its tuned SQ5 with ABT height-adjustable suspension springs (35 to 60mm lowering) and 22″-inch wheels of type GR to the top station of the Hörnerbahn cable car. The 4×4 had to climb up to an altitude of 1500 metres on quite challenging terrain – not only because the SQ5 can just do this, but also for a photoshoot of the uptrend lifestyle magazine, which is regularly published by ABT Sportsline. The topic of the story: Experiencing the dream of flying with a paraglider.
The impressive SUV turned out to be a true all-round talent. It bravely clambered up to the top while also easily offering enough space for four people, as well as for the paragliding and photography equipment. In theory, the ABT Audi SQ5, whose power has been increased from 354hp to 425hp by the additional ABT Engine Control unit, can master the sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds.
On the Alpine terrain and steep roads, that sprint is, of course, unthinkable – this was a journey to be made carefully. Instead, the 10% torque increase of the ABT Power stage had a positive effect. The associated curve has a mountain-like contour, with the peak at 550Nm.
At the destination, the paragliders were unpacked and set soaring. From high above, the views not only revealed the beautiful scenery, but also a rather unusual bird’s-eye perspective of the ABT Audi SQ5.
The ABT aero package wide-body, which is also available in a slim version, includes a sportily elegant front skirt, dynamic door strip attachment and impressive rear skirt set including an ABT rear muffler with 102mm carbon tailpipes. Owners of an SQ5 can literally “top up” with a particularly attractive ABT rear wing.
When it comes to tyres, customers are spoiled for choice. In addition to the GR of the vehicle in the pictures in glossy black with diamond-machined rim flange (20/21/22-inch), the following models are available – GR matt black with diamond-machined surface (20/21/22-inch) DR in gun-metal (21-inch) or mystic black (20/21/22-inch), as well as ER-C (20-inch) in matt black and FR (21/22-inch) in mystic black. However, some sizes are reserved for the wide-body kit.
As the trip to the Hörnerbahn cable car proved, with the right tyres, these wheelhouse beauties are definitely up for the occasional off-road excursion.
The Bavarian company ABT drove its tuned SQ5 to the top station of the Hörnerbahn cable car, with the sporty 4×4 SUV climbing up to an altitude of 1500 metres on quite challenging terrain so as to experience the dream of flying with a paraglider.
