auto sport tuning: July 2011

Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM

Two months after checking out the A5 DTM racer concept, Audi has whipped out the production model at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Internally named "R17," the Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM will replace the four-door A4 DTM with which Audi has won the DTM title four times since 2004. Codenamed the "R17," the Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM replaced the old A4 DTM and is scheduled for homologation on March 1, 2012. Until then, engineers will be busy putting it to some extreme testing. Referred to internally at Audi Sport as the "R17", the Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM features a unique hybrid construction coupling a carbon monocoque body and a steel cage forming the cockpit.

Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM

The new upgraded A5 that is will be arriving at dealerships shortly provides the basis for the new DTM car. “In 2012 new Technical Regulations will come into effect in the DTM,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We’ve got exactly the right model for that in the A5. We’re convinced that we’ll be able to continue Audi’s success story with it in the DTM.”

Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM

The company was quiet on specifics, but said the Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM has a high-strength carbon-fiber monocoque with a steel roll cage that is fully-compliant with the latest safety regulations. Ingolstadt’s new touring model is based on the facelifted New Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM that was presented earlier this week and it complies with the new technical and safety regulations that will come in effect in the German touring model championship next year.

Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM

The New Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM Concept sports a high-strength carbon-fiber monocoque combined with a steel tube cage. The racing model adopts the current A4 DTM’s V8 engine with some minor changes and an output or around 460-horses. A six-speed transmission will continue to be used as well. Furthermore, power will be provided by a V8 engine - that is adopted from the A4 DTM - with approximately 460 PS (340 kW / 456 PS).

Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM

“Our engineers have been involved in bringing up safety in the DTM, which had already been high before, to the highest possible level,” explains Dr. Ullrich. “At Le Mans this year we learned again that our concept of designing safety structures is a very good and appropriate one. This is exactly what we’ve been trying to feed into the DTM’s safety concept together with our colleagues from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. This new principle is an outstanding example of what is possible when employees of three premium manufacturers try to achieve a common aim: to get the best possible, lowest-cost and safest vehicle – and a fantastic car in general – off the ground.”

Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM

The Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM is 5.01 meters long, 1.95 meters wide, and 1.15 meters low, and is completely made in carbon fiber. It is powered by a V8 engine mated to six-speed transmission, now pneumatically operated using paddle shifters in the steering wheel. The shifting events are more precise compared with conventional manual gearshifts and allow the mileage of the unit to be quadrupled to up to 24,000 kilometers. The whole setup delivers a total of 460 HP. The race car has also received a safety fuel tank with a capacity of 120 liters integrated with the carbon fiber cell of the Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM that allows the current distance of a DTM race to be covered without a refueling stop.

Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM

However, it’s under the skin that the biggest changes have been made. The new rules have been designed to cut costs (the main reason that BMW has re-joined the series) but also to make the cars even safer. Which means a carbonfibre monocoque (with an integrated fuel tank) and steel roll cage, together with sidewalls made of a carbon, Zylon and Rohacell hybrid, as the new DTM racers now have to be able to withstand a static load that is four times higher than before. And rather than just the front and rear crash elements of each DTM car being individually crash-tested, the whole vehicle is now fired against a wall to make sure the entire structure is up to scratch.

Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM

Given the rules of DTM racers, which all have to sport certain identical features such as the 2,750 mm (108 inches) wheelbase, Audi was able to lower costs on the Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM development by up to 40 percent. The model will be homologated for March 1st and will compete in the 2012 DTM series against German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz. While the renderings show a pre-facelift model, Audi says the production vehicle will closely resemble the 2012 A5 Coupe which is slated to go on sale later this year. Audi has shared a trio of renderings of the New Audi Sport Cars Concept Audi A5 DTM but we’ll get the chance to see the real thing at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.