Audi's Road Going 'DTM' Touring Car

By The News Editor - 20/05/2005

The Audi A4 DTM Edition is about to be launched in Europe: Audi partners will be taking orders for this special model developed by quattro GmbH from the 20th of May onwards.

The Audi A4 DTM Edition is a throwback to Audi's successes in the DTM championship: in the 2004 season Audi picked up all three titles on offer.

The Audi A4 DTM Edition with 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive will cost €38,550 ($65,000). The 6-speed manual gearbox version of the DTM Edition in combination with quattro four-wheel drive is to cost €40,650 ($68,000).

The A4 DTM Edition is aimed at customers who want to further accentuate the already sporty orientation of the series-production models. Quattro GmbH presented a study of the DTM Edition of the new A4 at the Essen Motor Show in November last year and the overwhelming reaction reinforced the developers in their decision to introduce the study vehicle into series production.

The Audi A4 DTM Edition is powered by the new 2.0-litre TFSI engine. The power of this direct injection engine with a turbocharger was especially boosted for the new model from 200hp to 220hp (147 to 162kW), and torque was increased from 280Nm to 300Nm.

This power unit sees quattro GmbH continuing the tradition of 4-cylinder turbo engines with increased power output. The 20hp increase in power output was achieved on the A4 DTM Edition by selective modifications such as new pistons, modified turbochargers and an appropriately adapted engine management system.

And in conjunction with the newly graduated transmission, this results in impressive performance figures: the DTM Edition accelerates from 0 to 100km/h within the space of 7.1 seconds, and top speed is achieved at 247km/h. Overall fuel consumption amounts to 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres.

The quattro GmbH S line sports suspension system, which lowers the body by 20 millimetres and includes firmer shock absorber/spring rates, reflects the engine's gain in output.

The A4 DTM Edition is fitted with 18-inch wheels of 15-spoke design which are based stylistically on the wheels of the DTM racing car. In contrast to standard specification, the front brake discs are perforated.

The special model is based on the new Audi A4 saloon, but boasts a more dynamic appearance. The exterior of the Audi A4 DTM Edition is distinguished by the new side sills and the DTM logo on the rubbing strips of the rear doors.

The striking single-frame radiator grille is in Phantom Black, and as an option, the exterior mirrors are also available in Phantom Black at no extra charge.

The newly developed front bumper is distinguished by a striking black carbon-fibre lip at the bottom, derived from the field of motor sport. Additional air vents at the front and rear provide another sporty touch to the car.

The Audi A4 DTM Edition is recognisable from the rear by its newly-designed bumper and an additional carbon-fibre spoiler lip on the luggage compartment lid. The exhaust system tailpipes with an increased diameter of 100mm and the rear diffuser, derived from motorsport, are striking elements of the rear view.

The interior of the car is sportily elegant in trim. Door sill trims with the DTM logo distinguish the Audi A4 DTM Edition, as do the floor mats with silver piping and DTM logo. The seat surfaces of the Recaro sports seats are trimmed with Nardia microfibre, the side sections with leather. Silver stitching provides a distinctive visual feature.

Leather and Nardia microfibre are also to be found on the trim of the 3-spoke steering wheel, with Nardia additionally being a trim element of the handbrake handle and the gear lever knob. The dashboard and door trims both sport carbon inlays, a familiar feature on the Audi S4.

Standard equipment of the Audi A4 DTM Edition includes deluxe automatic air conditioning, full-size front airbags, side airbags at the front and the sideguard head airbag system, along with the latest-generation ESP and active head restraints.