Nico Müller expects 'unprecedented speeds' with turbo engines

From the naturally aspirated V8 to the 4-liter turbo 2,0-cylinder, Audi Sport took the first laps of its new RS 5 DTM equipped with the new regulatory engine architecture from the next season of the German Touring Car Championship. Had been thus requisitioned for the occasion Nico Müller, René Rast and Mike Rockenfeller.

“The turbo engine really pushes, admits Müller. We're going to see speeds that DTM has never seen before. The power boost is really noticeable. This will ask even more of the pilots. The car also feels very fast when you're trackside. The sound is fascinating too. I definitely don't want to swap the turbo for the old atmo V8. »

Besides the novelty of the engine, BMW drivers also appreciated, the aerodynamic aspect required serious in-depth work from the Neuburg engineers. Almost the entire package (very imposing rear wing, floor, diffusers) have been reworked, offering in addition to redefined behavior, an even more aggressive look than in recent years, where the aero had been reworked before last season, with a simplification constrained by the regulations (disappearance of flaps), which had led to cars that were more difficult to control.

“Obviously we still have a lot of work to do at this early stage, but the tests have been positive, recognizes Andreas Roos, DTM project manager. The fact that a new racing car works so well from day one cannot be taken for granted. All members of our DTM team can be very proud of this. »