Audi has revealed its 2012 DTM car ahead of its debut in Frankfurt tomorrow. Based on the facelifted A5 coupé model, the DTM machine is centred around a carbon-fibre monocoque, combined with a steel tube cage, with power coming from a near-identical version of the 340 kW (460 HP) V8 engine curently being used in this season’s A4 car. The transmission, a six-speed pneumatically operated system, is new for 2012.
More than 50 components, including the chassis, are identical for all DTM vehicles, and this has helped to drastically reduce development costs. “Due to these shared components it was possible to achieve the cost reduction target of up to 40 percent without compromising on the safety and attractiveness of the DTM vehicles,” commented Audi’s Wolfgang Ullrich.
Audi decided to change to an A5 base car back in June 2010. By February 11 wind tunnel testing had begun, with the rollout performed on July 29 by Martin Tomczyk, and constant testing since then.
[Source: Audi Motorsport]
