On Tuesday 5th March, the first of the joint test days with Audi and BMW, R-Motorsport began an intensive test programme with the Aston Martin Vantage DTM. The main target was to gain more data and information on the driveability of the new turbo engine. The focus was also on gaining more experience regarding the development of heat around the turbocharger.
The engine bonnet features four slots that dissipate hot air from the radiator and intercooler. There is now only one exhaust pipe that exits on the right of the four-cylinder, in-line engine. A Garrett turbocharger develops a maximum boost pressure of 3.5 bar. The new generation of engines in the DTM is considerably more powerful as a result of turbocharging. In addition, around 30 extra horsepower can be generated 12 times during the race by activating a push-to-pass button. The test programme was interrupted for most of the afternoon to make adjustments and solve some teething problems.
“At this early stage of our test and development programme, the team are keen to learn as much as possible about the engine,” explained Paul Di Resta. “Today, we had an insightful day when we gathered valuable data regarding the new power unit and turbocharger despite a longer break to make adjustments and solve problems. Our brand-new turbo engine still needs a lot of running to find out how we can further improve its driveability and cooling.”
“There is still a lot of development work to be done, as the Aston Martin Vantage DTM car was developed and built in the record time of only 90 days,” added Team Principal Dr Florian Kamelger. “Consequently, the main target of our test today was to learn more about our car and especially about the behaviour of its turbo engine.”
Paul Di Resta will continue the test programme in the Aston Martin Vantage DTM on Wednesday before Jake Dennis takes over on Thursday and Ferdinand von Habsburg on Friday.
Basic technical specifications of the Aston Martin Vantage DTM
Chassis:
Carbon fibre monocoque with steel roll cage, front, lateral and rear crash structures, bonnet, doors, side panels and wings in carbon fibre
Length: 4,730 mm
Width: 1,950 mm
Height: 1,280 mm
Minimum weight: 981 kg
Engine
4-cylinder in-line turbo engine
Capacity: 2.0 litres
Max. rpm: 9,500 rpm (according to regulations)
Fuel flow: max. 95 kg/h (according to regulations)
Transmission:
Standard gearbox
Standard 6-speed transverse-mounted gearbox,
rear-wheel drive, pneumatically operated sequential gear shift on steering wheel,
mechanical differential lock without traction control,
carbon fibre cardan shaft,
4-plate carbon fibre clutch operated by foot pedal
Suspension:
Standard double wishbones with spring/damper units to front and rear axles, actuated via pushrods
Brakes:
Standard carbon braking system without ABS
Wheels / tyres:
Standard aluminium wheels, control tyres from Hankook