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