Audi RS 5 DTM Attacks Track While R8 e-tron Preps For Ironman 3

Sales have never been higher for Audi, but this week they focused their attention to the track with the new Audi RS 5 DTM racecar, and the silver screen with the R8 e-tron and S7 Sportback that will be featured in Ironman 3 this summer.

Audi is among the automakers across the globe that most uses motorsport to develop technologies for their road cars, so it’s no surprise to see them commit whole-heartedly to the racetrack. In the new Audi RS 5 DTM, they’ve adapted their newest race-inspired sports coupe for the circuit.

In truth, though, very little differentiates the RS 5 DTM from the Audi A5 DTM that competed in German NASCAR last season. Extremely strict league rules effectively froze Audi, BMW and Mercedes from changing their cars much from 2012 – perhaps because the action was extremely tight, with BMW barely prevailing.

Audi finished third out of the three, and engineers used the motivation while pouring over 4,000 parts in search of ways to improve the car, but they aren’t offering any information on exactly what they found. “Our technicians proved to be quite resourceful in the process,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. The 2013 DTM season kicks off on May 5.

From the Hockenheim to Hollywood, Audi continues to make an attention-getting splash, this time with cameos in what should be the biggest movie of the summer. When Ironman 3 hits theaters on May 3, international celebrity Tony Stark – played by Robert Downey Jr. – will be seen behind the wheel of an all-electric Audi R8 e-tron. For years, Audi have been developing the R8 e-tron for production. They reportedly shuttered the project last year, but the e-tron starring role may signal something different.

Likewise, co-star Gwyneth Paltrow will be drifting around in an Audi S7 Sportback in her role as Stark leading lady Pepper Potts. Two, please!

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