DTM

THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE 2017 DTM CARS: MORE POWER AND LESS DOWNFORCE REPRESENT A BIGGER CHALLENGE FOR THE DRIVING SKILLS THAN EVER

To let the skills of the drivers gain even more importance, the technical regulations for the 2017 season were revised in crucial areas. So, the horsepower output of the new cars was increased while the aerodynamics were restricted at the same time. This means that driving this year’s cars is a bigger challenge and the drivers have to work even harder.

The technology of the 2017 DTM cars differs from the one of its predecessors in several significant areas:

The engine
In 2017, the four-litre V8 engines of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-AMG will produce – for the first time – more than 500bhp. The increased horsepower output mainly was achieved by bigger intake-system air restrictors. The engines are equipped with one air restrictor per cylinder bench and their diameter has been increased from 28 to 29 millimetres. Furthermore, the new regulations allow for enhancement in special intake-system areas special areas to optimise the engine’s performance even more. Nonetheless, maximum longevity still represents a top priority of the DTM engines’ design. Blown engines are extremely rare in DTM and usually, the engines survive the entire season. During the course of the season, cost-intensive engine revisions aren’t allowed in DTM as the sealed engines only may be subjected to services in this period of time, according to the regulations.

Aerodynamics
The guidelines of the new regulations comprise a reduction of the aerodynamics. To achieve this goal, the geometry of the front splitter, underbody and rear diffuser was changed and the ride height was increased.

Meanwhile, the rear wing and the DRS (Drag Reduction System) make for a major and visible difference. The DRS allows the driver to reduce his vehicle’s drag for a short time, thus increasing its top speed. In the past this made for many battles and overtaking manoeuvres. Other than last year’s rear wing that could be hinged down completely, only the so-called Guerney Flap, the upper of two fins of the rear wing, is flapped down what even increases the DRS efficiency.

The tyres
Combined with the new Hankook tyres that provide more grip for a short period of time but force the drivers to cope with a higher performance decrease over the distance, these changes make for a handling of the new DTM cars that is clearly more demanding for the drivers than it was in the past.

New control components
The body design of this year’s DTM touring cars of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-AMG complies with the latest generation of their production brethren. To restrict the cost-intensive high-tech developments, the new regulations feature clearly more areas for jointly developed control components. The development of these components is controlled by the umbrella organisation ITR in close cooperation with the manufacturers’ engineers. For 2017, the range of control parts was extended – inter alia – by components for the suspension area. Furthermore, the DTM control wheel also will make its debut. From this year, all the 18 cars will race on ATS wheels while every manufacturer could opt for the wheel it preferred, in the past.

Drivers feel pleasant anticipation
After the first tests for the 2017 season, the drivers proved to be really happy with their new cars. “The changes made on the car are clearly noticeable – particularly the combination of less aero, more power and the new tyres,” said Mattias Ekström, the senior driver on the DTM grid, representative of all the DTM drivers. “As I see it we are heading in the right direction and I think we are going to have a lot of fun, this year.”

The testing was continued this week at Vallelunga, Italy from 14th to 16th March, and many of the components were subjected to acid tests for the coming season.

In addition to the alterations on the technical regulations, those responsible also intensely work on the sporting regulations. Next week ITR is going to inform on the planned changes for the coming season that will be kicked off at Hockenheim from 05th to 07th May.