Being one of the busiest times for any automotive manufacturer, Audi Sport finally unveiled their next-generation car for the forthcoming DTM season, the RS5 DTM, bearing the internal codename “RC3” at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, as defending champion Mike Rockenfeller drove the new car on stage during the official keynote speech.
The newest addition to the squad, Nico Müller was in attendance, along with DTM-turned GT Racing driver Rahel Frey and two-time Le Mans winner Marcel Fässler, as the car was unveiled to a sea of applause amongst board members, the world’s media and invited guests.
The new car for Audi’s title defence in both driver and team categories is more aggressively profiled in comparison with the car’s predecessor. A lot of finer details including aerodynamics and suspension were concentrated on as a part of the evolution and interpretation of the current regulations set by the governing body.
Head of Vehicle Design, Stefan Aicher, explained that even though the new car hits the track this coming May, the hard work begins on the following season at both Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm for next year. But when asked about the new car, Aicher was staying tight-lipped on some of the intricacies that make the RS5 DTM the animal it is today: “The DTM rules are strict, which is why minute detail work is required within the tight limitations. For example, we made suspension modifications to the front and rear axles, from which we expect improvements.”
The new car also shares traits from the production car sibling, which includes the recognisable honeycomb grille, along with new ducts that provide cooling channels for both the engine and the brakes on the new car. The work continues, as Ingolstadt prepares for a hard-fought rivalry come Hockenheim.