ABT Elevates New VW Golf R to the Big League with 370PS Tune

While we wait to see if the rumor going aroundabout VW planning to debut a lighter and more powerful version of the Golf R named the EVO at April's 2014 Beijing Motor Show is true, ABT Sportsline has already envisioned a more potent iteration of the hot hatch.

Teased here in these digitally manipulated photos and likely set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, is ABT's VW Golf R that comes with a software upgrade to significantly boost the 2.0-liter turbo engine's output from 300PS (296hp) and 380Nm to 370PS (365hp) and 460Nm, respectively.

ABT says that, with the pedal on the metal, the tuned Golf R hits 100km/h (62mph) from standstill in 4.5 seconds and tops out at 265km/h (165mph), a 0.6-second and 15km/h (9mph) improvement over the stock model's respective figures.

If you want to give the Golf R that ABT aftermarket look, the tuner will also offer a body kit with a front chin spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser trim, roof spoiler, a different front grille, headlampeyelashes, and carbon fiber sticker accents, plus new wheels.

VW Details Facelifted Polo in New Video

The Volkswagen Polo may have suffered very discreet styling changes for its first facelift, but the supermini’s traditional shape hides many mechanical and technological updates.

The restyled Polo features new Euro6 engines, as well as infotainment and assistance systems trickled down from the larger VW Golf. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is offered as standard, while other technologies, including the Driver Alert System, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Automatic Cruise Control are offered optionally.

There's also the optional Sport Select suspension and the new electro-mechanical steering system and the modular infotainment system.

Find out what other new features the VW Polo brings from an official video featuring product chief Christoph Ehmen.

Move Over GM, Volkswagen is Now the World's No.2 Automaker

Last time we mentioned 2013 global car sales, Toyota was the undisputed No. 1, while GM was second, closely followed by VW. While at the time Volkswagen said it sold “over 9.7 million” vehicles in 2013, now the German carmaker has provided a more precise figure, which makes it the world’s second-biggest carmaker.

VW’s global sales chief Christian Klinger said the carmaker delivered 9.73 million vehicles last year, narrowly exceeding GM’s 9.71 million units. A VW spokesman confirmed the figure, which includes sales of VW-owned truck makers MAN and Scania.

The Germans aim to overtake Toyota and become the world’s biggest carmaker by 2018. The Japanese automaker sold 9.98 million vehicles in 2013, including deliveries from truck maker Hino Motors and minicar-specialized company Daihatsu Motor.

VW’s sales growth in recent years have been fueled by increasing demand in China, where the German company last year edged out GM for the first time in nine years. VW also benefitted from growth at luxury brands Audi and Porsche.

Volkswagen isn’t that successful in North America, though, where it trails GM and Toyota. To close the gap, the company announced plans to spend more than $7 billion during the next five years in the region, seeking to boost sales to 1 million vehicles in the U.S. by 2018. VW Group sold 565,800 units in the United States last year.