Exploring the 2015 ABT AS5 Dark: A Sinister Twist on the Audi A5 Sportback
Evoking the brooding presence of a comic book hero in stealth mode, the 2015 ABT AS5 Dark, based on the Audi A5 Sportback, emerged as a distinctive addition to ABT's line-up. With this creation, the renowned German tuning house, ABT Sportsline, takes the admired design of Audi’s A5, applies a distinctive dark aesthetic, and delivers a more audacious and assertive machine.
Impressively Menacing Design
When drenched in a coat of menacing black, the ABT AS5 Dark fully embodies its name. The colorway, however, is only a fragment of what defines its compelling appeal. Contrasting brilliantly against the car's dark allure are striking red elements, located on the front spoiler lip and rear skirt set. This strategic color play amplifies the A5's silhouette, making it more intriguing and captivating. Furthermore, the Coupé version is adorned with a rear spoiler and side skirts that amplify the vehicle's intimidating stance.
An Auditory Experience to Match
In perfect sync with its formidable aesthetic, the ABT AS5 Dark delivers an audio experience that reinforces its 'dark' moniker. The sonorous 4-pipe exhaust system is tuned to a smoky, tantalizing tone that varies with the engine's activity. Beyond its audible allure, the exhaust system continues the visual motif with tailpipes plated in black chrome, seamlessly blending with the vehicle's shadowy profile.
Aggressive Wheel Design and Branding Touches
The AS5 Dark's unique personality is further reflected in its wheel design. Sporting 20'' ABT CR wheels fitted with wide 265 tyres and wheel spacers, the car assumes a more muscular posture. The wheels are embellished with a vibrant red flange, leaving a dynamic, aggressive impression. The design creates an almost hypnotic effect as it rotates, capturing the attention through its spoke neck gaps.
ABT Sportsline has not missed the chance to brand this creation distinctively, gracing the AS5 Dark with unique letterings and emblems both inside and out. In a fitting nod to the vehicle's intended character, ABT provides a matching set of floor mats with a 'Stay Clean!' imprint, highlighting that even dark heroes need a clean ride.
A Study in Contrasts: The ABT AS5 Dark
Through the 2015 ABT AS5 Dark, ABT Sportsline has successfully transformed the Audi A5 Sportback into a more formidable, and assertive version of its original self. The choice of dark, brooding aesthetics, coupled with red accents, reinforces the car's bold personality. While its comprehensive redesign has added layers of complexity, the AS5 Dark is not a departure from the A5's core identity. Rather, it serves as a compelling exploration of the potential that lies within the A5's form, delivering a creation that is just as multifaceted and intriguing as its base model.
-Ed
2015 ABT AS5 Dark based on Audi A5 Sportback
