Tuning company ABT celebrates electric van production with special edition VW Transporter
German tuning company ABT is revealing a modified version of the new VW e-Transporter at the Geneva Motor Show. The all-electric e-Transporter is due in Volkswagen showrooms late this year, but it’s being developed by ABT rather than within VW (as the e-Crafter was), which is why the company has given this Geneva version a makeover with its styling additions.
There’s the company’s Aerokit bodykit, which adds skirts to the front and rear bumpers, a revised grille and rear wing. There are also special louvred tailpipe covers to hide the fact the e-Transporter doesn’t have exhaust tips. At each corner there are 20-inch ABT Sport GR wheels with Continental tyres, while lowered suspension is also fitted. To complete the makeover, ABT has finished the white T6 e-Transporter with grey and green graphics, similar to those seen on its Audi RS 6-E shown at Geneva in 2018.
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Under the skin, the suspension is the only thing that has been modified on the e-Transporter. That means this model has the same running gear as the versions shown at the Hannover Commercial Vehicle Show last September.
There’s a 109bhp electric motor with 200Nm of torque, while the standard 37.3kWh battery offers a range of around 130 miles. However, the e-Transporter will also be offered with a 74.6kWh battery that delivers a range of around 250 miles. Plug into a 40kW fast charger, and the batteries can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in 49 minutes for the standard battery, and 98 minutes for the larger one.
One highlight of the e-Transporter is that it has the same cargo capacity as the standard T6 Transporter, at 6.7 cubic metres. In addition, because ABT converts vans from the VW production line, it means the electric drive can be added to any version of the T6, including the Caravelle executive shuttle and even the California camper van.
The e-Transporter will arrive in dealers towards the end of 2019. Before that, the ABT-produced e-Caddy small van (which will also be on show in Geneva) will hit Volkswagen Van Centres in the second half of 2019.
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