7/30/2019 V8 Quattro DTM Gb-1

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The Audi V8 quattro DTM

The luxury sedan as a successful race car.

The large, luxurious V8, with which Audi entered the DTM

in 1990, did not appear to be the ideal starting point for a

race car. Even in racing trim it weighed nearly 1.3 metric tons

(2,866.01 lb), 300 kilograms (661.39 lb) more than thecompetition. Nevertheless, it became a winner in the hands

of Audi Sport.

The naturally aspirated 3.6 liter V8 with an aluminum crankcase

put out roughly 305 kW (about 415 hp) at the start o its racing

career. This gure ultimately increased to roughly 345 kW (about

480 hp) and a good 400 Nm (295.02 lb-t) o torque that was

available over a broad range. The mechanics had to dial the power

back a bit on ast tracks to conserve uel. In addition to identical

uel tanks, the rules also called or identical tires that were only

265 millimeters (10.43 in) wide, actually much too narrow or the

good 4.90 meter (16.08 t) sedan. quattro technology once

again proved to be the deciding actor when both braking andaccelerating.

The overall package was strong enough that Audi was able to

win two titles in a row, both years clinching the championship in

the last race o the season at the Hockenheimring. Hans-Joachim

Stuck won the title in 1990. He was succeeded in 1991 by the

young Frank Biela in a heart-pounding nale, in which the rain

slowed the rear-wheel drive competition.

A dispute erupted during the 1992 season over the new crank-

shat o the V8 with its crankpin ofset o 180 degrees. Audi

withdrew rom the series prior to its home race at the Norisring in

Nuremberg. The DTM bottom line was excellent: The brand won

hal o the 36 races held in 1990 and 1991.

Source: DVD quattro Highlights 2010 | Status: 03/2010

quattroHighlights

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