Concept drawing: Audi confirms A5 for 2012

Audi has revealed a concept drawing of their car for the new DTM regulations in 2012. The German manufacturer moves from the four-door A4 model to the recently face lifted A5 coupe model.
“In 2012 new Technical Regulations will come into effect in the DTM. We’ve got exactly the right model for that in the A5. We’re convinced that we’ll be able to continue Audi’s success story with it in the DTM,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

There are a lot of changes on the new DTM cars for 2012, some of which are in the safety area.

“The sidewall has been reinforced so that the new DTM vehicle can be exposed to a side impact (T-bone crash) without the wall failing. Up to now, a bearable side force of 80 kN at a specified point has been required whereas for the 2012-specification vehicles 360 kN across the whole length of the sidewall is now required. This means that the monocoque has not only been reinforced at a certain point but across the entire length,” said Dr. Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport.

The first prototype of the DTM Audi A5, called R17, is currently being constructed at Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and a first roll-out is scheduled to take place shortly.

The V8 engine is more or less the same as in the current DTM regulations and the gearbox is going to be identical, meaning a six-speed sequential gearbox.

The aerodynamics has been changed for 2012 with a bigger rear wing, but reduced smaller wings on the side of the cars.