Head to Head : Daniel Abt & Constantin Buschmann

Two titans of automotive innovation, BRABUS and ABT Sportsline, share their perspectives on the future of the supercar industry, the rise of electrification, and the seamless fusion of performance and luxury.

Daniel ABT

First up in our exclusive tête-à-tête is Daniel Abt, CCO of ABT Sportsline and former Formula E driver, renowned for blending his racing expertise with the brand’s legacy of high-performance innovation and engineering excellence.

1. How would you describe the design philosophy of ABT in one sentence?

We don’t modify cars, we complete them, because we believe every great car has a more perfect version of itself waiting to be unlocked.

2. What is the most challenging part of designing a car that stands out in the world of high-end, bespoke vehicles?

The real challenge is finding that fine line between bold and excessive. Anyone can go louder, more aggressive, more extreme.  The moment it starts to feel forced, it loses all its credibility and elegance. True individuality has to feel inevitable, like the car couldn’t look any other way.

3. What is your favorite project you’ve worked on?

Without a doubt, the ABT XGT. That project had a completely different energy from the start. There were no boundaries holding us back, no compromises. And honestly, no project has ever embodied our motto «from the racetrack to the road» more perfectly. The ABT XGT is living proof of exactly what that means. Projects like that remind you why you fell in love with this work in the first place.

4. What has been your favorite engine; V8, V10 or V12?

Honestly, V8, V10 and V12 all have their own appeal, each has a different character, so it’s hard to pick just one. If I have to I would choose V10. I love the pure handling and sound of it.

5. How do you strike a balance between pushing the boundaries of design and staying true to the brand’s identity?

You have to deeply respect and understand the DNA of the original brand before you touch anything. Audi, Lamborghini,  CUPRA – each one has its own design language, its own values, its own personality. Our job is to amplify that, not overwrite it. When we get it right, you look at the finished car and think: this could only ever be an ABT Audi, or an ABT CUPRA. It feels like a natural evolution, not a contradiction.

6. What trends do you see shaping the future of luxury car design in the next decade?

Individualization will become more important than ever. People want objects that feel uniquely theirs, and cars are no exception. Performance will still matter deeply, even as electrification changes what that word means. Software will increasingly shape the experience from the inside out. But what I care about most is making sure that through all of this change, we never lose the emotional soul of the car. That connection between driver and machine. That has to survive, whatever the future looks like.

7. Does Top Marques Monaco’s brand-new Tuners’ Hall reflect a growing trend in the tuning world?

Absolutely. The demand for personalisation has been growing steadily for years, and the best tuning companies have long since evolved beyond simply modifying production cars. They’ve become genuine automotive brands with their own vision, their own aesthetic, their own loyal following. A dedicated space at an event like Top Marques Monaco reflects exactly where the industry is heading.

8. What advice would you give to aspiring automotive designers who dream of working for your company?

Don’t just design for the sake of how something looks — fall in love with the whole car, understand the engineering, develop a real sensitivity for proportions and how surfaces relate to each other. And above all, build your own voice. The designers who truly make an impact aren’t the ones who follow trends, they’re the ones who have something genuine to say and the courage to say it.

9. Why do you choose to exhibit at Top Marques Monaco?

Because it brings together exactly the people who understand what we do and why we do it. With a common passion for cars. This kind of energy is rare, and for a brand like ABT, there’s really no better stage.

10. And one for fun: What’s one thing you secretly admire about BRABUS’ designs?

What I genuinely respect is how far they push the limits of a vehicle while staying road legal. Anyone can make a car extreme, that’s the easy part. But doing it at that level, with that intensity, and still meeting every regulation? That’s a completely different discipline and very few tuners in the world can actually pull it off. Honestly, it’s something that’s been lost a little in the industry over the years. And the fact that both BRABUS and ABT have never let go of that commitment, that’s something I have a lot of respect for.

Constantin Buschmann

Next in our exclusive tête-à-tête is Constantin Buschmann, CEO and owner of BRABUS, the renowned brand synonymous with high-performance luxury vehicles, cutting-edge design, and bespoke automotive excellence.

1. How would you describe the design philosophy of BRABUS in one sentence?

Our design philosophy is what we call the “One Second Wow.” You see it, you fall in love with it, and you just know you want it. That’s our mission—whether we’re setting our sights on something that is already great and take it to the next level or bringing to life another “crazy” idea that nobody has ever seen before. Simply put: our designs either have that wow-effect, or we haven’t done our job right.  

2. What is the most challenging part of designing a car that stands out in the world of high-end, bespoke vehicles?

The real challenge is standing out in a world in which luxury and exclusivity are the baseline. Our customers expect a product that is truly unique, so we’re constantly pushing ourselves—always chasing the next idea, the next level. People ask me all the time: “Constantin, which BRABUS supercar are you most looking forward to?” or, even better, “Which is your favorite?” My answer is always the same: “The next one!” It’s about finding that balance between going further every time while still making every product unmistakably BRABUS.

3. What is your favorite project you’ve worked on?

The next one! Jokes aside, we’re actually currently gearing up to launch one of the most exciting projects that we’ve ever done: the BRABUS BODO. I can’t say too much yet, but I can’t wait for it to finally be out there. It’s a car that means a lot to me personally, it’s a car my father would have been unbelievably proud of and, most importantly, it’s the beginning of a completely new chapter for our brand. That being said, stay tuned. We’ll be sharing more in the coming days!

4. What has been your favorite engine; V8, V10 or V12?

V8—for sure!

5. How do you strike a balance between pushing the boundaries of design and staying true to the brand’s identity?

We’re always exploring new ideas, designs and directions—but in the end, everything we come up with gets filtered through the BRABUS DNA. Even when we go completely crazy or try something we’ve never done, there’s always that signature, that connection to where we come from. Color, for example, has been a really exciting topic for us recently. Traditionally, BRABUS has always come in black. But what if it didn’t? What would that look like? Does it make sense? Finding an answer that is still instantly recognizable as a BRABUS is a challenge, but I think the result always speaks for itself.

6. What trends do you see shaping the future of luxury car design in the next decade?

I think we’re going to see completely new levels of individuality and integration. Customers don’t just want cars anymore; they want a fully curated experience that reflects their lifestyle. The same is true for boats, motorbikes, real estate, you name it. I think we’re going to see even more bespoke materials, more unique, in-depth options for personalization, and with electrification continuing to push design into new territories, a new landscape of digital elements as well. But regardless of technology, one thing will remain essential: the “One Second Wow.” For us, emotion will always be the benchmark of luxury.

7. Does Top Marques Monaco’s brand-new Tuners’ Hall reflect a growing trend in the tuning world?

Definitely. I think the new Tuners’ Hall really shows how much the perception of tuning has evolved. It’s, of course, still all about modifying cars, but more than ever there’s a focus on individuality and high-end craftsmanship. You can tell that every single car in there is the result of passion for the industry, and I’m excited to see what else people are going to come up with.

8. What advice would you give to aspiring automotive designers who dream of working for your company?

My best advice would be to find your own unique vision for cars and believe in it. Be bold, stay disciplined and, above all, stay hungry—this industry rewards those who are willing to go the extra mile.

9. Why do you choose to exhibit at Top Marques Monaco?

Top Marques has been a fixed point in our event calendar for over ten years. It goes way beyond what most would expect from an exhibition in this business and Monaco is one of the most important hotspots in Europe for us to meet clients, collectors and enthusiasts who understand and appreciate what we do.

10. And one for fun: What’s one thing you secretly admire about the ABT Sportsline designs?

What I respect most about ABT is their consistency. They’ve also developed a very clear and recognizable design language over the years and stayed true to it. Especially these days, when you see more and more brands constantly trying to reinvent themselves, that level of focus and direction is impressive. It shows confidence in their identity—something we’ve always valued just as much at BRABUS.