Audi A4 DTM Edition - A Racing Success

By Feann Torr - 29/11/2004

Presented at the 2004 Essen Motor Show in celebration of its recent German Touring Car accolades, Audi's A4 DTM Edition makes for a very sporty addition to the new A4 range.

Having taken home all three DTM trophies - which includes the Driver's, Team's and Manufacturer's titles - Audi thought it would be a great idea to celebrate its clean sweep of the popular German touring car series with a special edition A4, which includes a tough new bodykit and more power among other things.

To begin with Audi took to the A4's engine, wanting to instil a bit more power and offer enthusiasts something with a bit more grunt, a bit more bite.

As such, the sporty-looking A4 is powered by Audi's technologically advanced 2.0-litre turbo FSI engine, which normally outputs 200 horsepower, or 147kW.

Thanks to an increase in turbo boost and other minor modifications made to the exhaust system, the 2.0-litre engine in the A4 DTM Edition now cranks out 220 horsepower, or about 162kW, which is put to the ground via a 6-speed manual gearbox.

In unison with the increased power levels, the special edition A4's torque levels have also risen from 280Nm to 300Nm, which is line-ball with another famous 2.0-litre turbo - Subaru's Impreza WRX.

As well as the increase in overall power and torque, Audi made use of its 'S Line' chassis as well, which drops the car 20mm thanks to firmer suspension, which should improve the car's handling dynamics somewhat while giving it a much more aggressive stance.

Coupled with the more focussed suspension tune, the A4 DTM Edition wears new 18-inch multispoke rims that pay homage to the Audi's A4 DTM race cars while upping grip levels, and new cross drilled front disc brakes make the DTM Edition cut.

Besides the boosted engine, uprated suspension and impressive-looking brakes, the A4 DTM Edition also gets a new aero bodykit, the likes of which brings the A4's sporting character to the fore.

From the front the DTM Edition A4 looks plenty mean, with a deeper, lower front apron incorporating twin mesh-covered airdams either side of the now de rigueur single frame grille, which also mimic the headlight's shape somewhat. Discreet DTM badging also makes the cut on the grille and the rear doors, like Audi's S models.

New side skirts match the new front apron and at the rear things are really cooking, with a pair of increased diameter exhausts pipes, a carbon fibre lip spoiler and a subtle rear diffuser all contributing to the DTM Edition's sporty look.

Audi also took to the interior of the special edition A4 with gusto, adding DTM-emblazoned scuff plates (side sills) and trendy Recaro sport seats trimmed with a mixture of Alcantara and leather with silver stitching for some added luxury. The DTM Edition A4 also borrows the door linings and inserts from the V8-powered S4, and also features climate control, lots of airbags and traction control.

All told, Audi's new A4 DTM Edition is arguably one of the more appealing small sedans that the German marque has created, exhibiting a good dose of aggression that many of its standard cars lack. All we need now is for Audi to keep making clean sweeps of the German Touring Car Championship and we'll be seeing special edition models annually. And if the DTM Edition looks like this, we can't wait to see what Audi has in store for its S4.