Abt Audi R8 V-10

Abt Audi R8 V-10

Abt Audi R8 V-10

Abt Audi R8 V-10

Abt Audi R8 V-10

Abt Audi R8 V-10

The formula for supercar success is surprisngly simple: mid-engine, rear or all-wheel drive, 500-plus horsepower and any design that rises above the "only a mother could love" category. So Abt's take on the Audi R8 V-10 was almost guaranteed to be a hit from the get-go.

It doesn't hurt, of course, that the German tuning and motorsports company decided to add another 75 horsepower to the already brilliant R8 V-10. It also doesn't hurt to throw in almost as much carbon fiber as you'd find in your average modern-day fighter jet.

Both of which add to the base vehicle's appeal, though the body kit, like most aftermarket treatments, definitely pushes the look of the typically conservative R8 further into the Lamborghini-flash category. The huge alloy wheels also increase the neck-snap factor of the Abt R8 V-10.

So, aside from your own instant entourage, what does a highly-tuned Abt R8 get you? How about acceleration from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, a top speed of 200 mph even and 600 horsepower at the crank? Best of all, the engine's power curve was designed to make that 600 horsepower accessible under normal driving conditions.

“The 600 HP is not just intended to exist on paper, but also be available on the road”, says Christian Abt, race car driver and one of the Abts behind the Abt Sportsline name.

Other additions included in the Abt package are a custom rear wing and a four-pipe exhaust system.