While the whole ‘Dieselgate’ saga might have damaged the reputation of the Volkswagen group’s four-cylinder TDI engines, so far their torque-laden, frugal 3.0L TDI V6 has escaped unscathed, and now sits the engine bay of Audi’s latest diesel sport coupe – the A5 DTM.
The engine will be immediately familiar to some, as its the same engine you can already spec in the Audi A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 vehicles. In the A5 DTM, it produces 183kW (245hp) and a meaty 579Nm (427lb-ft) of torque. As you’d expect, the A5 DTM deploys this power through channels its power through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, then to the ground via all four 20-inch wheels. The performance on offer is very decent, considering it is a diesel – with 0-100kmh (62mph) dispatched in just 5.9 seconds and on to an electronically-governed top speed of 250kmh (155mph).
The styling of the A5 DTM is inspired by Audi’s DTM touring car program, and features a more aggressive front bumper, Misano red paint, gloss-black trim, 20-inch split-five-spoke alloys, and special badges inside and out. The interior packs the bucket seats from the RS5, alcantara trim, stainless steel pedals, and more. The front lid, doors and rear window are also emblazoned with DTM, quattro and Audi Sport logos. The cast aluminium wheels designed by Audi Sport feature a five twin-spoke design in matt titanium look, wrapped in 265/30R20 tyres.
With the door open, the entry lighting projects a DTM logo onto the road. The special edition’s door sill trims, too, display the Audi Sport label and there are dark-tinted windows at the rear. The interior is dominated by the highly contoured bucket seats adopted from the RS model. Their backrest covers and the inlays in the door and side trims and centre console are in Misano red. Red stitching enhances the seats and leather multifunction sports steering wheel, the flattened rim of which is partly trimmed in alcantara. The pedals are in stainless steel.
Audi has restricted the production run for the A5 DTM selection to 50 cars, at a price of €74,540 in Germany.