Audi racer Mortara shines at sports arena
Ingolstadt/Munich, July 17, 2011 – Edoardo Mortara has confirmed that his victory at the DTM’s debut in Munich’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday did not happen by chance. The Italian Audi racer in the Playboy Audi A4 DTM of Audi Sport Team Rosberg reached the finale on Sunday as well.
54,000 spectators (throughout the weekend) saw a successful DTM show event on the 1.190-kilometre track. On both public days the finale, despite different race formats, pitted Edoardo Mortara in the Audi against Bruno Spengler in the Mercedes-Benz. After the 24-year-old Audi driver had prevailed against the DTM leader of the standings on Saturday with an advantage of 0.366 seconds “Edo” again fought a close duel for the day’s victory with the Canadian on Sunday. The decision was made when Mortara touched the track barrier shortly before the finish and was forced to retire.
On the way to the finale on Sunday Mortara had clearly prevailed against the Mercedes drivers Susie Stoddart, David Coulthard and Renger van der Zande in the respective heats. The Audi driver was on a par with Bruno Spengler up to the third of five laps and only lost some ground after the pit stop. “I tried everything to win again today,” said Mortara. “My Audi A4 was again super-fast. But a very small mistake on this track is all it takes to end up in the wall. It’s really difficult here.”
Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline) and Martin Tomczyk (Audi Sport Team Phoenix) made it into the quarter-final on Sunday. Ekström clearly won the race against Renger van der Zande. However, a controversial time penalty meant an early end of the competition for the three-time winner of the “Race of Champions” and co-favorite for the day’s victory. On the way to the start the Swede had turned around his Red Bull Audi A4 DTM by intermittently hitting the gas pedal to please the crowd. “I just wanted to do something for the fans. After all, this was a show event. It’s too bad that I was punished for this,” said a disappointed Ekström.
Filipe Albuquerque, Timo Scheider, Mike Rockenfeller, Oliver Jarvis and Miguel Molina, who had won the relegation against Rahel Frey in the morning, were eliminated in the eighth-final.
“We’ve experienced a great event in every respect and have probably won many new enthusiasts for the DTM,” commented Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “This is exactly what we wanted to achieve through this show event. I’d like to thank everyone who made this event possible. We’ll be happy to return.”
The next championship race of the DTM is on the calendar for August 7 at the Nürburgring. Martin Tomczyk as the best Audi driver is the runner-up in the standings, just three points behind Bruno Spengler. The hero in Munich, Edoardo Mortara, is the best DTM rookie at the season’s midpoint.
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport)
“It was thrilling through to the end. It was also exciting to watch that the decision format differed on both days but that the same drivers reached the finale. Until Edo’s (Mortara) retirement the battle was equally close. Anything was possible. But one thing was certain: This DTM show event was first-class advertising for motorsport.”
Edoardo Mortara (Playboy Audi A4 DTM), finale
“A fantastic weekend with first and second places. I’d have liked to win again today. I was at the limit but Bruno (Spengler) couldn’t be beaten. I’m hoping to be able to repeat these results at the next races. I’m disappointed about having damaged the car because our task had been not to cause too much damage.”
Oliver Jarvis (Audi Sport performance cars A4 DTM), eighth-final
“Unfortunately someone unplugged my tire warmers and I had to start on cold tires, so I had no chance. It was disappointing to be eliminated. But it was a tremendous event; I watched the rest of it from the stands.”
Audi Showcases ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’ Through The Ages At Goodwood
Eagerly awaited Audi model debuts, past masters and potential stars of the future congregate at annual celebration of motoring in West Sussex
- UK debuts of the RS 3 Sportback, Q3 compact SUV, A6 Avant, R8 GT Spyder and 408PS quattro concept
- R18 TDI sports prototype commemorates 2011 Le Mans victory in the F1 Paddock
- Hannu Mikkola pilots S1 quattro up the hill
- Le Mans winners past & present Marco Werner and André Lotterer, former DTM Champion Hans-Joachim Stuck plus Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason in the driving seat
Hot-off-the-press additions to the Audi model range will vie for attention with hero cars from the brand’s past and present and potential stars of its future at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (1-3 July). An anticipated 150,000 visitors will descend on Goodwood House near Chichester, West Sussex for this celebration of the best of motoring and motorsport through the ages, and as usual Audi will have a major presence.
Stand-out stars from the present day Audi portfolio will include the Q3 compact SUV, the 340PS RS 3 Sportback, the A6 Avant and the breathtaking 560PS R8 GT Spyder, all of which make their UK public debuts at the Festival. A potential legend-in-the-making – the critically acclaimed lightweight aluminium, five-cylinder, 408PS quattro concept – will also be on hand to show how the revered Sport quattro of the Eighties could possibly be rocketed into the future.
On the competition front, the Audi R18 TDI sports prototype will be looming large in the F1 paddock in commemoration of the tenth victory for Audi in the 24 Hours of Le Mans marathon race earlier this month. One of the three winning drivers, Germany’s André Lotterer, will drive the innovative diesel-powered racer up the hill course at Lord March’s estate.
Another legend destined for the hill will be the 1985 Audi Sport quattro S1 rally car, featuring the world-famous quattro all-wheel-drive technology which changed the face of rallying. One of its star drivers, Hannu Mikkola, who won the FIA World Rally Championship in a quattro in 1983, will be behind the wheel again over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Audi Tradition will also look to the past with two 1930s Auto Union “Silver Arrow” Grand Prix cars which will be piloted by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and Audi’s 1990 German Touring Car Champion Hans-Joachim Stuck. DKW, one of the four brands which joined forces to form the Auto Union marque which eventually gave rise to Audi, will also be represented by two pre-war motorcycles: a DKW SS 250 (1937) and a DKW SS 350 (1939).
Audi Celebrates Tenth Le Mans Title With New R8 V8 Limited Edition
Distinctive design features and a high level of standard equipment for new limited run version of acclaimed 430PS, 187mph sports car
- R8 V8 Limited Edition available to order from July in coupe form only and with either manual or R tronic automated manual transmission priced from £93,935 OTR – first UK deliveries in October
- Marked out externally by R8 GT-inspired titanium-look alloy wheels and red brake callipers, and inside by trim detailing in crimson red
- Exclusive titanium effect paint finish and carbon package options
- Standard equipment includes Audi magnetic ride, satellite navigation, the Audi Music Interface (AMI), interior light package, Bang and Olufsen sound system and Bluetooth mobile phone preparation with integrated seat-belt microphones.
- R8 V8 Limited Edition 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, 187mph top speed, 21.2mpg (R tronic), CO2 310g/km (R tronic)
A stunning new titanium-effect paintwork option and enhanced standard equipment will mark out the new R8 V8 Limited Edition, which becomes available to order next month priced from £93,935 OTR. Created in honour of the tenth victory for Audi in this month’s gruelling 24 Hours of Le Mans marathon race, which was won first in 2000 by the R8 sports prototype, the new feature-rich special edition road car is based on the hugely successful R8 V8 Coupe. It will be reserved solely for UK R8 customers, and with just 100 examples currently scheduled for production it will offer even greater exclusivity.
Titanium finish 19-inch ‘5-arm double-spoke Y design’ alloy wheels inspired by the R8 GT Coupe, and embellished by red brake callipers, will be the key differentiating feature of the exterior of the R8 Limited Edition in its standard form. All normally optional metallic and pearl effect paint options will also be included in the Limited Edition price, but for maximum visual drama customers will be able to specify a striking Titanium Metallic paint finish, which will be exclusive to this model, at extra cost.
Over and above the standard R8 V8 Coupe specification, the Limited Edition model includes satellite navigation, the Audi Music Interface (AMI), an interior light package and a premium Bang and Olufsen sound system, as well as mobile phone preparation via a Bluetooth interface with integrated seat-belt microphones.
Standard Audi magnetic ride
The much praised Audi magnetic ride adaptive suspension system also makes a special appearance as standard equipment in the Limited Edition. Using sensors to monitor road conditions, it adjusts the damping effect to suit them by varying a magnetic charge which passes through a fluid-based shock absorber. Mated to the ultra-lightweight aluminium and magnesium Audi Space Frame (ASF) and the advanced suspension bolstered by quattro permanent all-wheel-drive technology, the system creates the optimum conditions in which the mid-mounted 430PS V8 FSI engine can give its very best.
As it revs freely to its 8,250rpm limit, the directly injected 4.2-litre engine dispenses with the zero to 62mph sprint in 4.6 seconds in both manual and R tronic automated manual versions of the R8 V8 Limited Edition. Autobahn-permitting, it can then power on to a 187mph top speed.
On the inside, the Limited Edition is marked out by crimson red accents to the sides of its Black Fine Nappa Leather-upholstered seats and headrests, which also feature red contrast stitching. The design theme is continued with red stitching on the flat bottomed, leather-covered multi-function steering wheel and instrument cowl and by a striking crimson red leather finish for the monoposto. To complete the look, the knee pads and passenger door handle are also finished in red leather, and the floor mats have a red surround and feature the R8 logo in silver. The sporting character is further underlined by stainless steel pedals and illuminated door sills with bright aluminium inserts carrying the R8 logo.
For even greater visual distinction, the R8 V8 Limited Edition is also available with an optional Carbon Package, which adds carbon sigma sideblades, door mirrors, monoposto, inlays and door sill trims. Perhaps most impressively, the racing-inspired material also frames the illuminated engine bay, giving even greater prominence to the potent V8 that is clearly visible through the rear window.
In common with all R8 models, the R8 Limited Edition also includes one special standard feature that isn’t so immediately apparent – a bespoke R8 Driving Experience at Silverstone Circuit which will enable owners to fully acquaint themselves with the dynamic characteristics of the R8 in controlled conditions.