Testing

The new Audi RS 5 DTM hits the track for its first public test session.

Only a matter of days after it was first unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show, the new Audi RS 5 DTM race car was being put through its paces at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy.

22 March, 2017

Now in its third race generation, the new Audi RS 5 DTM made its first public appearance since being unveiled at Geneva last week, with a three day pre-season test session at Italy’s Vallelunga circuit.

This particular car will be driven by Nico Muller in the 2017 DTM season, also wears a new aerodynamic bodykit and new Playboy livery. For the test session, it was Mattias Ekström and Jamie Green who took care of driving duties, Ekström the first behind the wheel, wracking up 760km as the team played with different set-ups to get the car as bedded in as possible.

“We tried out a lot of different things: short stints, long runs, qualifying simulations and many different set-up variants. The new DTM cars are definitely more demanding in terms of driving skills. Plus, finding a perfect set-up compromise for the softer tires and the changed aerodynamics is a great challenge. The season is going to be packed with excitement for sure!” Ekström said of his stint in the car.

On Wednesday, Jamie Green took over the cockpit, himself covering 682 kilometres in the new RS 5 DTM.

“Having not been to Vallelunga in a long time I had to first familiarise myself with the track again,” said Green. “Still, we managed to pull off our entire program – it was a productive day.”  The third and final test day saw Mattias Ekström back in the car, his stint adding more vital test kilometres to the clock, ultimately putting down a total of over 2000km for the three days.

“It was important for us to drive the final car in this last pre-season development test and to make optimum use of the few test days available to us in the DTM,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “That’s why we’re very happy to have found perfect external conditions at Vallelunga and being able to drive for three days without any issues worth mentioning.”

The Audi drivers are now even more excited about the season opener at Hockenheim on early May 6th and 7th which will be preceded by a final test session, also at Hockenheim in the days before.

Testing

The new Audi RS 5 DTM hits the track for its first public test session.

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