ABT has quietly expanded its suspension portfolio with a system that aims to smooth out the usual compromises between comfort and control. Tested at the Nürburgring and fully homologated for road use, ABT Body Control brings together multiple technologies into a single, coordinated setup designed to react continuously to real driving conditions rather than fixed presets.
Specifications
At the heart of the package is the combination of ABT Level Control (ALC) and ABT-optimized active roll stabilisation, known as eAWS. Together, they form a system that intervenes holistically in the suspension software, regulating body movement in real time while maintaining full safety and usable spring travel. Ground clearance is constantly adapted to the situation, rather than locked into a single compromise setting.
ALC introduces intelligent, speed-dependent height adjustment. In Comfort mode, the vehicle sits up to 25 millimetres lower than the standard version. Switching to Dynamic mode lowers it by a further 15 millimetres, depending on speed, adding a more focused feel without sacrificing stability. Lift and Offroad modes leave the vehicle height unchanged, preserving clearance when it is actually needed.
There are also stationary adjustments. As standard, the rear can be lowered by up to 60 millimetres when parked. ABT’s so-called Coffee mode allows the vehicle to drop by 80 millimetres at both the front and rear, mainly to improve ease of loading and unloading while giving the car a noticeably sportier stance.
Active roll stabilisation plays an equally important role. The electromechanical eAWS system continuously monitors the driving situation and actively controls body movement during higher-speed driving. Servomotors on each axle regulate roll movements, while damper hardness at each wheel is adjusted to suit the conditions. In Dynamic mode, the focus is clearly on reducing body roll and vertical movement, while Comfort mode prioritizes a softer setup and higher ride comfort.
Pricing
ABT Body Control is priced at 5,490 euros including VAT, a figure that already covers installation and TÜV approval.
Conclusion
ABT Body Control is available for the Audi Q8 TFSI e Hybrid, SQ8, and RS Q8, provided they are equipped with factory air suspension and standard eAWS. Also possible is retrofitting of eAWS in case there is an existing ALC system. Instead of going to extremes, the system appears to be aimed at tuning how these large performance SUVs perform moment-to-moment so that the driving experience is more controlled and flexible without forcing the driver to either make the choice between comfort and sportiness.
