CAR NEWS

Double podium for Audi in rain battle at Assen – Audi clinched another double podium in the DTM’s eagerly awaited premiere on the famous motorcycle race track at Assen and half-way through the 2019 season maintains the lead in all three championships.

With 18 out of 27 possible podium finishes, Audi has managed an impressive start to the DTM’s turbo era with the new RS 5 DTM. After the first half of the season, two Audi drivers René Rast (145 points) and Nico Müller (121) are heading the standings.

In difficult conditions on Saturday, both extended their advantage over third-placed BMW driver Philipp Eng with strong performances. In the manufacturers’ championship, with 508 points Audi clearly leads ahead of BMW (388). In the teams’ championship, two Audi teams Audi Sport Team Rosberg and Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline are the front runners.

Heavy rain made the first DTM race in the “Cathedral of Speed” tricky, especially in the early stage. “We had aquaplaning in many sections. It was difficult to keep the car on track,” said Nico Müller, who on the first ten laps fought back from sixth on the grid to third position. “I lost a bit too much time to the leaders in the process.”

Müller changed tires only shortly before the end of the race and at the pit stop maintained first place in front of Marco Wittmann (BMW) and René Rast, who had been battling head to head for the lead straight from the start. “Unfortunately, it took a little longer than I was hoping to get the new rain tires to work. That’s why Marco got past me,” said Müller. “He deserved winning today.”

“The duel with Marco obviously cost a lot of time, so Nico rejoined the race in front of us,” said Rast, who finished third behind Wittmann and Müller. It was anything but a perfect race. Even so, it ended in a podium and I continue to lead the championship. Tomorrow we’re going to attack again.” The third-best Audi driver in Saturday’s race was Jonathan Aberdein from the customer team WRT Team Audi Sport in sixth position. Jamie Green, after a difficult qualifying, fought back from 12th on the grid to seventh place. With Loïc Duval and Mike Rockenfeller in positions eight and nine, the two drivers from Audi Sport Team Phoenix and thus six Audi RS 5 DTM cars in total finished in the points.

Mercedes-AMG A 45 and CLA 45 “Edition 55” – yet more special models in the compact class

Six further special performance cars released to mark Mercedes-AMG’s 55th birthday anniversary.

Mercedes-AMG is lengthening the range of “Edition 55” special models launched in celebration of “55 years of AMG” to consist of the compact performance models A 45 4MATIC and A 45 S 4MATIC Compact Saloon (WLTP: combined fuel consumption 9.1-8.7 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions 207-198 g/km), and CLA 45 4MATIC and CLA 45 S 4MATIC as Coupé and Shooting Brake (WLTP: combined fuel consumption 9.1-8.5 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions 207-194 g/km).

Paintwork in the sophisticated shades of cosmos black metallic or digital white metallic emphasizes the special look, as do decals with the traditional AMG logo and suggested AMG rhombus, along with 19-inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels. The 55^th anniversary models of the “45” performance cars are available to order now until December 2022.

The scope of equipment for the “Edition 55” models consists of the AMG Aerodynamics package. This includes a front apron with a larger front splitter and extra flics, an AMG back wing, deflector elements at the simulated side air outlets of the back apron, and the diffuser blade, all painted in high-gloss black. Manufactured in the wind tunnel, these components serve to improve the driving features at high speeds.

The AMG Night package and the AMG Night package II also enrich the dynamic appearance of the “Edition 55” models. The front splitter and the trim elements on the louvers in the outer air intakes, plus the inserts in the AMG side sill panels, the beltline trim strip, the window line trim strip and the outward mirror housings are completed in high-gloss black.

In addition, there are tailpipe trims in black chrome and heat-insulating dark tinted glass. The louvers in the AMG-specific radiator grille in black chrome and the model badges on the boot lid and wings in high-gloss black complete the special appearance.

Other distinguishing characteristics of the “Edition 55” exclusive models for the compact class include the paint finish in cosmos black metallic or digital white metallic. The colour scheme of the decals on each side of the car, which sport the traditional AMG badge and suggested AMG rhombus, runs from grey to transparent to match.

19‑inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels painted in titanium grey with a high-sheen rim flange and centre cap with “Edition 55” elements round off the powerful complete look. The AMG fuel filler cap in silver chrome with AMG lettering also exhibits great attention to detail.

The interior is branded by the contrast of black and red. The AMG Performance seats are furnished in two-tone classic red/black leather.

The AMG Performance steering wheel in DINAMICA microfiber with “Edition 55” badge and black 12 o’clock marking celebrating the 55^th birthday of the AMG brand.

AMG door sill panels with red illuminated AMG lettering and black AMG floor mats manufactured of high-quality velour with red contrasting stitching and “Edition 55” lettering woven in red visibly enrich the special models right down to the footwell.

The special ambience is rounded off by AMG trim elements in dark brushed aluminium in the “Edition 55” design, with accents in black/red and an AMG emblem. The scope of delivery also includes a customised AMG Indoor Car Cover in elegant black with a silver-coloured AMG emblem at the height of the upper edge of the windscreen.

With its breathable outer panelling manufactured of tear-resistant synthetic fibre fabric and antistatic inner fabric made of flannel, it protects the car in the garage from dust and scratches.