2017 Audi RS 5 DTM

Clear the stage for an exciting new race car: At the same time as the production model, Audi Sport presented the DTM racing version of the Audi RS 5 Coupé at the Geneva Motor Show. The new RS design language premieres in this model that features numerous modifications required by the regulations as well.

'This is a special day for me and everyone involved in the DTM project,' says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. 'For the first time, we developed a new DTM car in parallel with the production model. This underlines once again how closely motorsport and production work together at Audi.' The track record of the previous-generation model sets benchmarks for the future. Having clinched ten victories in each of the last two seasons, it was the most successful DTM car in both years. 'Obviously, we'd like to repeat this with the new RS 5 DTM,' Gass adds.

Visually, the third-generation Audi RS 5 DTM clearly stands out from its two successful predecessor models. 'It appears even more progressive and is even more extreme in terms of aerodynamics,' says Project Leader Stefan Gugger. 'In many areas of aerodynamics, we explored further detailed options.' This is evident particularly in the area of the front end and around the rear wheel arches. On the race car, the distinctive single-frame radiator grill of the new Audi RS 5 consists of a very thin film. The restrictive DTM regulations allow the engineers the greatest latitude around the rear wheel arches. Accordingly, they have been trimmed for maximum downforce combined with utmost efficiency.

'In addition, we've improved the components in terms of accuracy of fit once again,' says Gugger. 'As far as gap dimensions are concerned, Audi has always stood out from the competition. Still, we've made another step that enhances aerodynamic performance.' New as well is the rear wing, which now consists of two flaps. To increase the effectiveness of the Drag Reduction System (DRS), the entire wing is no longer lowered but, like in Formula 1, the top flap flattened - which is intended to produce even more overtaking maneuvers in future DTM events.

The objective of the new regulations is to make the cars more challenging to handle in order to put greater emphasis on the drivers' performance. Among other things, aerodynamic downforce of the DTM race cars has been reduced. Decisive here on all cars are modified geometries of the specification front splitters, underfloors and rear diffusers. Ride height has increased due to the regulations as well.

That the new Audi RS 5 DTM is faster than its predecessor in spite of these modifications is primarily attributable to two additional changes. In the 2017 season, tire partner Hankook will be supplying softer tires. While allowing faster lap times to be achieved on the one hand they are deliberately designed to significantly degrade after a few laps on the other. At the same time, the four-liter V8 engine of the Audi RS 5 DTM now delivers more than 500 HP. 'You can feel this additional power in the cockpit,' says Jamie Green who in winter, together with Mattias Ekström, performed the major part of the testing work for the 2017 season.

The base of the engine used in the Audi RS 5 DTM has remained unchanged. To achieve the desired power boost, the engineers modified the air intake system and the cooling system. In addition, they made some detailed adjustments to ensure the same reliability as before. After all, a DTM engine has to survive a full season.

Another change resulting from the regulations concerns the suspension, which is now identical on all DTM cars as well. While this avoids costly further developments, the variety of set-up options has remained unchanged.

'The new DTM regulations reflect a major effort aimed at achieving further cost reductions while enhancing the sport and making the cars more attractive,' says Dieter Gass. 'These are exciting times for the DTM. We have more power, softer tires and less downforce. Combined with the best drivers, we expect to see even more thrilling racing. I can only invite everyone to come to Hockenheim at the beginning of May to personally witness the first race of our new baby.'

Source - Audi

Sharper look for new Audi RS 5 DTM

›Audi unveils race car liveries for 2017 DTM season
›First appearance in calendar week 14 in pre-season tests at Hockenheim
›Joint test for teams, drivers and new race engineers
About a month before the DTM season opens, Audi is presenting the liveries of the six Audi RS 5 DTM cars. The engineers at the Audi motorsport department prepared the race cars in the past two weeks together with the teams. From Monday to Thursday next week (April 3 to 6) the new DTM cars will participate in final pre-season tests at Hockenheim.
In the upcoming season, Audi will again be relying on its proven partners who are giving their respective names to one of the six Audi RS 5 DTM cars: special-interest magazine AÚTO BILD MOTORSPORT (driver: René Rast), engine oil Castrol EDGE in combination with high-performance fuel ARAL ultimate (Loïc Duval), system partner for quality tools Hoffmann Group (Jamie Green), premium lifestyle magazine for men Playboy (Nico Müller), energy drink manufacturer Red Bull (Mattias Ekström) and technology company Schaeffler (Mike Rockenfeller).



All six Audi drivers will be participating in the final pre-season test at Hockenheim. Four of them will have new race engineers in the 2017 season: Mattias Ekström will be working together with Arnau Niubó, who was Mike Rockenfeller's race engineer last year. Laurent Fedacou, who was previously Timo Scheider's race engineer, is assuming this role for Mike Rockenfeller. Mathieu Le Nail, most recently a development engineer in Audi's WEC program, has been assigned to Loïc Duval, and René Rast's car will be taken care of by Florian Rinkes, who has an extensive background in the DTM as a performance engineer.

The three Audi Sport teams, ABT Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg, will be using the new Audi RS 5 DTM on track for the first time in the pre-season test at Hockenheim. The Audi Sport Test Team is going to support the test with a test vehicle to gather data with additional sensors and measurement equipment. On Monday, the cars will be driven on the circuit from 14:00 to 18:00. On the three following days, the tests will take place from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. Some sections of the grandstands will be opened for fans, admission will be free.



The Audi Sport Teams in the 2017 DTM

Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline
#5 Mattias Ekström (S), Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM (engineer: Arnau Niubó)
#51 Nico Müller (CH), Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM (Daniel Grunwald)

Audi Sport Team Phoenix
#77 Loïc Duval (F), Castrol EDGE Audi RS 5 DTM (Mathieu Le Nail)
#99 Mike Rockenfeller (D), Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM (Laurent Fedacou)

Audi Sport Team Rosberg
#33 René Rast (D), AÚTO BILD MOTORSPORT Audi RS 5 DTM (Florian Rinkes)
#53 Jamie Green (GB), Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM (Erich Baumgartner)

Source - Audi

Race track debut for the new Audi RS 5 DTM

›Three-day pre-season tests at Vallelunga, Italy
›New livery and final bodywork in action
›DTM driver Ekström: 'Cars are definitely more demanding in terms of driving'
Only a week following its world premiere in Geneva, the new Audi RS 5 DTM did its first public test laps on the Italian race track at Vallelunga.

The red-black Playboy livery in which youngster Nico Müller will showcase on the 2017 DTM grid was not the only feature to attract attention during the tests. In Italy, Audi also premiered the homologated bodywork of the third-generation RS 5 DTM which, compared with the variant shown in Geneva, sports additional, innovative detailed solutions.



Mattias Ekström, the most successful Audi DTM campaigner of all time with 22 victories and two championship titles under his belt, drove the car in its maiden outing. The Swede reeled off no less than 760 kilometers in the process. 'An impressive number for a new car,' said Ekström. '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!'

On Wednesday, Jamie Green took over the cockpit. The Briton, on completing 682 kilometers, covered a similarly impressive distance as Ekström had the day before. 'Having not been to Vallelunga in a long time I had to first familiarize myself with the track again,' said Green. 'Still, we managed to pull off our entire program – it was a productive day.'

Source - Audi