Geneva 2014: Audi premieres new-generation RS5 DTM car

Audi unveiled the 2014 Audi RS5 DTM at the 84^th Geneva Motor show with clear intent of intimidating opponents by echoing the motto ‘title defense.’

The 2014-specification Audi RS 5 DTM comes with a redesigned aerodynamics package that gives it a more aggressive exterior bearing certain features that provide a similarities to the sporty production models of the RS line.

“In addition to the suspension, our main priority was to improve the aero. The DTM rules are strict, which is why minute detail work is required within the tight limitations,” says Stefan Aicher, Head of Vehicle Design at Audi Sport.

The RS 5 now sports a honeycomb grill from the production car at the front and new ducts feed air to the engine and brakes. As a result, the race car now shares an almost identical look to the sporting RS production models.

To make the airflow even more efficient along the outer skin, the exterior mirrors were integrated into the aerodynamic concept along with front and rear wheels.  The inner rear wheel arches are now closed and the rear part is now flat.

Audi also invested a lot of time and effort on suspension modification to the front and rear axles.

“In production development, we tackle the challenge of making good cars even better day by day.  This applies to Audi Sport as a part of Audi’s Technical Development as well. The most recent results achieved by hard work are an all-new R18 e-tron quattro that we’re aiming to stand our ground with at Le Mans and in the WEC against Porsche and Toyota, plus a largely new RS 5 DTM with which we’re aiming to keep our number-one spot in the tough competition with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Of course, neither of these commitments is an end in itself: Motorsport at Audi accelerates the development of new technologies,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development of AUDI AG.

There are still two official tests in Budapest and at the Hockenheimring on the agenda before Mike Rockenfeller, with start number ‘1’, and his team-mates start the new season at Hockenheim on May, 4.