Audi V8 Quattro DTM: chauffeur limo for the racetrack

Even the sound of the V 8 makes the difference: While the competitors from BMW, Mercedes and In 1990 Opel relied on in-line engines with four or six cylinders, behind the radiator grille with the four rings, a V8 with a comparatively modest 3.6 liter displacement worked. Initially the engine sends 420 hp into the Quattro drive, in the second season the output is even increased to 460 hp. Only the private five-liter Mustang of the Ruch brothers with 520 horses had more power.

Audi V8 Quattro, the heaviest model in the DTM field

At the beginning, the rule makers at the ONS ( Supreme National Sports Association, forerunner of the DMSB) Audi Cut important ingredients: spoilers like those of the competition should not be allowed, nor should all-wheel drive. All other cars like the BMW M3, the Mercedes 190 Evo 2 or the new Opel Omega were ultimately rear-wheel drive cars. “No Audi without a Quattro,” said Head of Audi Sport Herwart Kreiner as a red line. The four driven wheels were allowed to stay: The Audi V8s were the heaviest cars in the DTM field at 1,220 kilograms.

Audi

The Audi V8 Quattro Evolution started in silver and red - that was in 1992.

Audi V8 Quattro wins DTM

The result is well known: Hans-Joachim Stuck becomes German touring car champion straight away and the DTM is experiencing a high phase. Stuck's strongest opponent until the final is BMW driver Johnny Cecotto. In 1991 Audi signed the then 26-year-old talent Frank Biela. The man from Neuss changes from Mercedes after just one yearto Audi and catapulted himself to the championship throne in his new company car in the premiere season. He leaves the veterans Klaus Ludwig, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Johnny Cecotto and Steve Soper behind.

The Audi technicians around the racing experienced Dieter Basche have refined the V8 Quattro for Biela's championship season again. Over the winter, the elegant four-door front and rear spoilers grew, which was promptly acknowledged with an increase in weight to 1250 kilograms. In the meantime, the powerful Audi even had to weigh 1.3 tons. The classification weight of the all-wheel drive was to remain a constant dispute until the DTM exit in the middle of the 1992 season. The Ingolstadt V8 power plant officially produces 442 hp at 9300 revolutions per minute. The competition ranted: 'They have over 500 hp!'

Audi

Even back then, Stuck was surprised by the maneuverability of the Audi V8 Quattro.

Audi V8 Quattro DTM: Luxury sedan without ABS

After all, Audi does not have ABS like its main competitors BMW and Mercedes. Stuck: 'Now they are slowing us down like schoolboys.' But youngster Biela showed that it can be done that way. The wheels grow to 11x19 inches. This means that the Audi teams are the first to use 19-inch rims. But after the two mastery years of Stuck and Biela, the Audi era is over: the brand new stage 4 with a new crankshaft proves to be a short-lived vibrating machine.

The new motor now even produces 470 hp at 9500 revolutions per minute and has a torque of 380 Newton meters. The V8 Quattro accelerates from standstill 4.6 seconds to 100 km /h, and also reaches a top speed of around 300 km /h with the longest gear ratio. But due to a lack of reliability, only a race win in the rain on the Nürburgring succeeds. This last success of a Audi V8 Quattro in last year's champion Frank Biela drives out the DTM.

Hans-Dieter Seufert

In Goodwood, the Audi V8 Quattro DTM is once again showing itself to the public.

The all-wheel drive concept implemented by Audi in the DTM is taken over by Alfa Romeo, who entered the championship in 1993 and with driver Nicola Larini became champions in their first year.

One of the legendary DTM cars from Audi, the master V8 Quattro from Hans-Joachim Stuck with the starting number 44 is part of the Au collection as a ready-to-drive racing car di tradition. It is driven by Stuck and Frank Biela.