Essen, November 30, 2003
The Audi TT served as basis model for Team Abt Sportsline in the DTM
(German Touring Car Masters) for four years. Another model is the basis
for the works involvement of AUDI AG in the DTM: The Audi A4 DTM race
version is being worked on actively at both Audi Sport locations in
Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.
“The Audi A4 fits perfectly to the new DTM technical regulations, it is
naturally sporting and is the Audi model sold most frequently in Germany,”
explains Head of Audi Sport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, which is why the four
door limousine was chosen. “On top of this, the Audi A4 already has a
deep rooted tradition in touring car racing.”
Between 1995 and 1999, the Audi A4 quattro was the world’s most
successful super touring car. 1996 was a particularly outstanding season,
in which Audi won the championship titles in seven countries. The current
Audi A4 has also already tasted success in motorsport: Team KMS
Motorsport won the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) at the
first time of asking in 2003 with an Audi A4 producing approximately 260
hp and designed in accordance with the Super 2000 regulations.
The Audi A4 DTM has however very little in common with the “Swedish” A4
and is a completely new development. “We couldn’t carry over many
components from the TT either – at best experience,” explains Dr Ullrich.
Only the V8 engine of the new A4 with approximately 460 hp is a further
development of the existing power unit, which was used during the 2003
DTM. On top of this are the familiar components such as gearbox, driver
safety cell or brakes, which are prescribed standard components for all
DTM manufacturers.
Because a great deal of importance is placed on equipment parity and
manageable costs in the DTM, the technical regulations leave the
engineers very little room to manoeuvre. “Nevertheless we hope, based on
Audi Sport’s wealth of experience, to have found a few details that our
competitors haven’t come across,” says Dr Ullrich.
The first tests of the new Audi A4 DTM are already scheduled for 2003 – an
important piece of the jigsaw. “You need sufficient time before the season
starts to test a new car,” explains the Head of Audi Sport. “To make up a
deficit during the season, is, as experience has shown, extremely difficult.”
The two race teams, Abt Sportsline and Joest Racing, will be integrated
early on in the test programme. Also, the construction of the race cars is
made, as usual for Audi Sport, in close cooperation with the teams.
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