| Four of Audi DTM (German Touring Car Masters) | | | | Here is what the four DTM drivers said after the |
| drivers had the chance to test drive the popular and | | | | two-day test drive in Southern France. |
| undisputed Audi race car who had successfully | | | | Mike Rockenfeller (German): |
| achieved victories at the American Le Mans Series | | | | "The thing just takes off like a rocket in every gear. |
| (ALMS) and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The four drivers, | | | | You get used to everything with time - but this engine |
| including Mattias Ekström Lucas Luhr, Alexandre | | | | is simply amazing. It's a fantastic feeling every time you |
| Prémat, and Mike Rockenfeller went aboard the | | | | hit the throttle." |
| Audi R10 TDI and completed the test drive at the "High | | | | Alexandre Prémat (French, with Formula 1 |
| Tech Test Track" at Paul Ricard located in the | | | | experience): |
| southern part of France. The four drivers completed | | | | "It's incredible to see just how professionally the Audi |
| about 1,400 km (870 mi) of test run, which is a part of | | | | team works. The R10 is simply unbelievable: It is a TDI, |
| the development test for Audi's diesel powered race | | | | but has the power of a Formula 1 car. I'm extremely |
| car in preparation for the upcoming 24 Hours of Le | | | | grateful that Audi gave me the opportunity to test this |
| Mans. In addition, the test drive is also a part of | | | | car. And of course it was a nice birthday present." |
| preparation of the four drivers at the 2007 season of | | | | Lucas Luhr (German, won the LM P2 class at the |
| DTM that will kick-off on April 22 at Hockenheim. | | | | 2006 American Le Mans Series): |
| According to Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi | | | | "You notice that the car is 150 kilograms heavier, |
| Motorsport: | | | | particularly when you brake into the corners or have to |
| "This test was very positive since all four drivers had | | | | change direction rapidly. However, the R10 TDI is very |
| prepared themselves extremely well for this | | | | driveable, reacts precisely to changes and is great fun |
| opportunity and remained focused on driving the R10. | | | | to drive - and obviously the engine power is |
| All four approached the task in the professional | | | | staggering." |
| manner I expected. They all immediately reached an | | | | Mattias Ekström (Swedish, won the 2004 DTM): |
| exceptionally good level and more than fulfilled my | | | | "First of all I need to sleep on this experience for a |
| expectations." | | | | few days and analyse the whole thing, because it was |
| The four drivers was impressed by the Audi R10 TDI's | | | | so amazing that I drove every lap with adrenalin pulsing |
| powerful performance coming out from the monstrous | | | | through my veins. I felt immediately at home in the car, |
| 5.5-liter all-aluminium bi-turbo diesel V12 engine pumping | | | | but I need more experience to keep calm. The power, |
| out 650 horsepower (485 kW) and produces 811 lb ft | | | | torque and downforce are phenomenal and obviously |
| (1100 Nm) amount of peak torque. The engine is | | | | completely different to the DTM car. I could only have |
| connected into a gearbox with quality VW | | | | kept up in the slow corners with my A4. |
| transmission mount. | | | | |