| Audi, luxury unit of Volkswagen and recipient of highly | | | | when you brake into the corners or have to change |
| reliable VW repair manuals - to prepare for the 2007 | | | | direction rapidly. However, the R10 TDI is very |
| DTM season has invited four DTM stars to test drive | | | | driveable, reacts precisely to changes and is great fun |
| its R10 TDI. The four DTM stars were given the | | | | to drive - and obviously the engine power is |
| chance to test drive the 650 hp Audi R10 TDI just | | | | staggering." Luhr has won LM P2 class in last year's |
| before 2007 DTM season opens at Hockenheim on | | | | American Le Mans Series and only knew of the Audi |
| April 22. Mike Rockefeller, Alexandre Premat, Lucas | | | | R10 TDI from the opponent's perspective. He was so |
| Luhr, and Mattias Ekstrom finished 1,400 test kilometers | | | | amazed by how noticeable the heavier weight, |
| with the revolutionary Diesel sportscar from Audi AG | | | | stipulated by the LM P1 regulations was perfectly |
| during a development test for the 24 Hours of Le | | | | balanced in the R10 TDI. |
| Mans held at the "High Tech Test Track" at Paul | | | | Mattias Ekstrom who is a 2004 DTM Champion just |
| Ricard (South of France). | | | | like the other three DTM stars just cannot hide his |
| The four DTM stars were really impressed by the | | | | delight as he climbed from the Diesel sportscar's |
| enormous torque and power produced by the V12 TDI | | | | cockpit. He exclaimed, "First of all I need to sleep on |
| engine during their initial test. | | | | this experience for a few days and analyse the whole |
| The Frenchman Alexandre Premat was also equally | | | | thing, because it was so amazing that I drove every |
| impressed with the V12 TDI engine and stated, "It's | | | | lap with adrenalin pulsing through my veins. I felt |
| incredible to see just how professionally the Audi team | | | | immediately at home in the car, but I need more |
| works. The R10 is simply unbelievable: It is a TDI, but | | | | experience to keep calm. The power, torque and |
| has the power of a Formula 1 car. I'm extremely | | | | downforce are phenomenal and obviously completely |
| grateful that Audi gave me the opportunity to test this | | | | different to the DTM car. I could only have kept up in |
| car. And of course it was a nice birthday present." | | | | the slow corners with my A4." Ekstrom has already |
| Premat has already a Formula 1 experience and the | | | | tested an Audi R8 previously but the R10 TDI has |
| time that he was to test drive the V12 TDI engine | | | | proven to be more of an exciting experience for him. |
| coincides with his 25th birthday. It was truly a | | | | The four DTM stars have showed excellent driving |
| wonderful birthday gift for him. | | | | prowess that they are now the first choice for the |
| The German Lucas Luhr has also shared hi sown | | | | cockpit for a third Audi R10 TDI in the 24 Hours of Le |
| observation of the V12 TDI engine. He said, "You | | | | Mans which is scheduled on June 16 to 17 that is if |
| notice that the car is 150 kilograms heavier, particularly | | | | ever the entry is confirmed. |