ABT SPORTSLINE
HISTORY
Over 125 Years of Passion for Cars
From a modest blacksmith’s shop in Kempten in 1896 to a global leader in automotive tuning—the history of ABT is the story of a family dedicated to speed, innovation, and uncompromising quality. Four generations of the ABT family have left their mark on the automotive industry.
MOTORSPORTS LEGACY
125 Years of Passion, Reflected in Numbers
The Beginning
Johann Abt took over a blacksmith shop specializing in horseshoes and carts in Kempten, Allgäu. The combination of a sleigh and a cart was one of the first hybrid concepts in mobility. Just two years later, the first automobile drove through the streets of Kempten.
Always with the right touch
Johann Abt sent his sons Josef and Hans to study at Horch and Audi. In 1932, Horch, Audi, Wanderer, and DKW merged to form Auto Union—the predecessor of today’s Audi AG.
Willpower and Perseverance
After the death of Johann Abt, his son Joseph’s wife—Rosina Abt—and her brother-in-law Hans took over the company and steered it through the difficult years of the war and the postwar recovery.
With Gasoline in My Blood
Johan Abt II, born in 1935, built his first race car at the age of 14 from a DKW left over from the war and immediately made it onto the podium. He went on to achieve over 300 victories in motorsports.
Continuity is ensured
The business moves from Burgstraße to Oberwanger Straße in Kempten. Johann marries Thea. Hans-Jürgen Abt—the future head of ABT Sportsline—is born. Christian was also born in 1967.
From the Track to the Road
ABT Tuning was launched as a second line of business. The motto “From the track to the road” still holds true today—Johan always thinks holistically: if the engine is more powerful, the suspension must also be up to par.
The Audi brand is making a comeback
When Volkswagen discontinued DKW’s two-stroke engines, the Audi brand returned to the scene. ABT reoriented its business and established itself as a key partner of Audi—the beginning of a long partnership.
VW Golf GTI and ABT
ABT offers one of the first tuning packages for the VW Golf GTI, delivering a 20% increase in power. This marks the beginning of the era of mass-market car tuning.
Motorsports — ABT's DNA
ABT is launching a motorsports partnership with the VW Group in the German Rally Championship. Technologies developed on the track are finding their way into production cars.
The Birth of ABT Sportsline
ABT Sportsline was founded as an independent tuning and motorsports company led by brothers Hans-Jürgen and Christian Abt. A new era has begun.
The Pursuit of Excellence
ABT entered the DTM with the Abt-Audi TT-R and established itself as one of the most successful teams. To date, it has won 5 championship titles, 75 victories, and 259 podium finishes.
Tuning and Electric Mobility
ABT is developing the RS6-E hybrid with 1,018 hp and has officially launched the ABT e-Line division. Over 4,300 electric vehicles have been converted.
Johann Abt Edition
In honor of its founder, ABT is creating a limited-edition series of the RS6 Johann Abt Edition—only 64 pcs, each with a unique serial number. A tribute to 125 years of family history.
ABT XGT — The Future Is Here
ABT XGT — a street-legal race car. The company continues to make history after more than 125 years of experience and innovation.
ABT ARCHIVE
Photos from ABT Sportsline's 125-year history