50 motorsport fans in Germany will get the chance to buy a DTM-inspired Audi A5

By Ronan Glon October 14, 2015

Volkswagen-owned Audi has introduced a limited-edition version of the A5 coupe whose design is inspired by the heavily-modified RS 5 that competes in the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) race series.

Called A5 DTM selection, the limited-edition model comes as a surprise because it hasn’t been a fantastic season for the RS 5. Audi is currently placed third — behind both BMW and Mercedes-AMG — in the manufacturers’ championship, and there’s only one race left to go before the end of the season.

The commemorative coupe nonetheless boasts a DTM-inspired misano red paint job that’s accented by oversized Audi Sport emblems on both doors and on the hood as well as eye-catching gray and black decals right above the rocker panels. The red is accented by high-gloss trim on both ends, while 20-inch cast aluminum wheels and a black spoiler on the trunk lid add a finishing touch to the track-ready look.

The limited-edition A5 gains puddle lights that display the DTM logo when the doors are open. Inside, the passengers are treated to bucket seats borrowed from the more expensive RS 5, while the steering is commanded through a sporty-looking flat-bottomed wheel that’s partially upholstered in Alcantara.

Audi has not made any mechanical modifications under the hood. The A5 DTM selection is powered by a stock 3.0-liter V6 TDI turbodiesel engine that makes 245 horsepower and 427 pound-feet of torque. Linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that spins all four wheels, the oil-burner sends the A5 from zero to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed that’s electronically limited to 155 mph.

Audi will build just 50 examples of the A5 DTM selection edition, and each one will cost €74,540 (a lofty sum that converts to over $85,000). To put that figure into perspective, the regular-production, 3.0 TDI-powered model that the DTM selection is based on starts at €51,550 (nearly $59,000).

At the time of writing, Audi is not planning on offering its latest limited-edition model in the United States.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

Cars

The Maserati GranCabrio Folgore is one of the best-looking EVs yet

Front of the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore

Maserati is adopting electrified vehicles with open arms, and while that could potentially signal an identity crisis for the luxury Italian brand, that’s probably a good thing in the long run.

The company recently took the wraps off of the new Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, which is essentially a convertible version of its already released GranTurismo Folgore electric car. The new EV is its third go at electrified vehicles so far, and it flew us out to Rimini, Italy, to witness the big reveal in person.

Cars

EV warranties aren’t like those for non-electric cars. Here’s what you should know

Close up of the Hybrid car electric charger station with power supply plugged into an electric car being charged.

EVs are on the rise. With awesome new models finally rolling out and charging networks rapidly expanding, it feels like we're at the tipping point of electric cars being as mainstream as non-electric vehicles. But with a whole new type of vehicle come new challenges. One challenge is adapting to charging times. Another is paying closer to attention to range. And another, as some drivers are finding out, has to do with electric car warranties.

Turns out, the warranty that comes with electric cars isn't necessarily quite the same as the one that you might get with your non-electric car. If you really think about it, that's probably not all that surprising -- after all, while they can look the same, electric cars have a completely different makeup under the hood compared to their gas-powered cousins. But understanding an EV warranty could be the difference between winding up having to pay thousands for a battery replacement, or getting one repaired on the house.
It's not all new
Before diving into things like battery warranties, it's worth doing a quick primer on car warranties in general. EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles usually come with two different warranties -- at least when they're bought new. First, there's the basic warranty (also known as bumper-to-bumper warranty), which covers every part of a car except for basic maintenance, usually for up to three years or 36,000 miles.

Cars

The 10 best car battery brands in 2024

How to test a car battery

You must know this, but your car needs a battery to run properly. A dead battery means a car won't start, but various electronics in the car won't work properly either, including overhead dome lights, the radio, and even some security features, like door locks or alerts. So, it's in your best interest to ensure your vehicle's battery is in tip-top shape at all times. It's especially important if your car or vehicle sits unused for long periods. A trickle charger can help keep the battery powered in those situations, or worst case, a portable jump starter can help you get it going. But eventually, you're going to need to replace your battery, and it will help to know the best car battery brands out there so you know precisely what to replace your old one with. Let's discuss.
AC Delco
In operation for more than a century, AC Delco has been recommended as "the only batteries" for GM vehicles. You'll find them at retailers like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon, and even some Walmarts. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and come with a good warranty, 18 months or above, depending on where you buy. A great AC Delco battery to call out is the Advantage series.

Bosch
Bosch is a solid mid-grade battery provider both in quality and price. They do have some affordable options, but their premium lines are still reasonably priced, with several tiers available for a wide variety of vehicles. The downside is that Bosch batteries are not carried by all retailers like some of the other options on our list, but you can find them online. You can also visit a Bosch service center if there's one near you. Callouts are the S4 to S6 series and the T4 to T6 series. We will say the brand's four-year free replacement warranty is unmatched.