New Audi RS 5 DTM challenger makes track debut
Audi has shown off its new RS 5 DTM car for the 2017 season along with a striking new livery as the German manufacturer kick-starts its refreshed motorsport programme.
Audi has completely revised its racing programme for 2017 after cutbacks due to parent company Volkswagen's emissions scandal and has withdrawn from the FIA World Endurance Championship.
In its new motorsport programme Audi has strengthened its commitments in Formula E as a factory squad plus adding a new factory team to the World Rallycross championship, while retaining its DTM squad albeit trimmed to six cars as per sporting regulations.
Having unveiled its 2017 DTM challenger at the Geneva Motor Show two weeks ago, the Audi RS 5 DTM machine made its track debut at pre-season testing at Vallelunga in Italy. The car ran the new red and black Playboy livery which Nico Muller will use in 2017.
"It was important for us to drive the final car in this last pre-season development test and to make optimum use of the few test days available to us in the DTM," Dieter Gass, Head of Audi Motorsport, said. "That's why we're very happy to have found perfect external conditions at Vallelunga and being able to drive for three days without any issues worth mentioning."
Factory Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom and Jamie Green took part in the first test completing a combined total of 2,121km and will now prepare for an additional pre-season test at Hockenheim on the 3-6 April before returning to the German track for the opening round of the 2017 DTM championship on the 6-7 May.
