Audi test new DTM car

Audi has completed a three day test of its new RS 5 DTM car for the 2019 season with outstanding results. Audi drivers Nico Müller, René Rast and Mike Rockenfeller, put the new 2.0-litre, turbocharged car through its paces on the track at Estoril, Portugal, and were impressed with the car’s significant increase in power and speed.

“The new DTM car has terrific muscle and momentum,” said Nico Müller after his first stint in the car.

“The turbo engine has awesome thrust. We’re going to see speeds that the DTM has never seen before. The power boost is really noticeable. This is going to make even greater demands on us drivers. The car also looks really fast when you stand trackside. The sound is fascinating too. I definitely wouldn’t want to swap the turbo for the old V8 aspirated engine again.”

Rockenfeller and Rast, were equally impressed after experiencing the car themselves, with Rast comparing it to ‘a huge go-kart’ and Rockenfeller praising the new turbo engine.

The changes to the engine and aerodynamics come as a result of new Class 1 regulations that come into effect next (2020 for the Japanese Super GT Championship). These see the naturally aspirated V8 engines replaced by newly designed 2.0-litre four-cylinder racing engines with turbocharging that deliver greater output and efficiency. 

The turbos will not only provide the DTM with greater reference to production, but a boost of nearly 75kW. Designated ‘RC8’ at Audi, this new engine will deliver some 447kW of power.

In addition, the car also gets new aerodynamics with the rear wing, underfloor, front and rear diffusor all redefined by the regulations for the 2019 season. 

The front end has also been adapted to the more compact turbo engine and the to suit its cooling requirements.

“We’re pleased to see that the first impressions of our drivers confirm exactly what we were aiming to achieve with the new DTM race cars,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “The cars are faster, more challenging to drive, look more dynamic and sound really good. The DTM is at the beginning of an exciting era. Even at this point, I can hardly wait to see the new cars in a race for the first time. The improvement of the power to weight ratio can be seen with the naked eye.”  

The new DTM season will start in exactly 170 days, on May 5, 2019, at the Hockenheimring.

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