March 10, 2008
Audi Unveils New A4 DTM
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The fourth-generation Audi A4 DTM, which was publicly unveiled for the first time at the Motor Show in Geneva, features state-of-the-art CFD calculations (Computational Fluid Dynamics), according to www.motorsport.com.
During the 12-month development period, which started in March 2007, a predominantly new DTM car differing in many details to its predecessor was created in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. In the process, it was possible to reduce the car’s center of gravity height and to further reduce the dry weight, which in turn gives the race engineers more flexibility to set the car up to suit specific race tracks and the weight distribution.
The technicians even found development potential in the four-liter near 460 hp V-8 engine used in the Audi A4 DTM. The internal friction was further reduced which, in turn, benefited the power produced and torque curve. The chassis has a hybrid concept. It consists of almost 31 meters of steel tube of the type also used in the aerospace industry. The driver sits in a carbon fiber safety cell that actually resembles a Formula 1 monocoque. This combination guarantees the highest torsional stiffness and safety.
The bodywork is made from carbon-fiber composite. The distinctive brand styling-elements like the single frame grille and the white LED daytime low-beam lights ensure that the face of the A4 DTM has the same unique look like the road going model.