Audi DTM’s Mortara tops Munich first practice

Audi DTM’s Mortara tops Munich first practice
Volkswagen Group Increases Deliveries In First Half Year
Audi A5 DTM runs at Munich’s Olympic Stadium

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 09:41 AM PDT

Audi DTM's Mortara tops Munich first practice

Gallery after the jump!

During this morning first practice session from Munich, Edoardo Mortara / no21 Audi A5 DTM set the fastest lap at 26.757 seconds.

Rockenfeller, Albuquerque and Ekstrom pulled up in second to fourth, respectively.

New mirrored track layout for DTM Munich 2012

New for DTM this year is a mirrored track layout as seen above. All Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz drivers had 60 minutes to learn the new 0.381 mile track.

On Saturday teams will be battling for the manufacturers’ title in the so-called “relay mode”. Two drivers of a manufacturer, respectively, will form a team that takes turns in the pits just like in a relay race. The handoff takes place twice per run.

On Sunday, a knockout system will be fought for the drivers’ title – pit stops and tire changes included.

Points leaders, Paffet was fifth with last years Champ, Spengler, in ninth. Make note that this weekend is not for points and will have not effect on standings.

Audi A5 DTM runs at Munich’s Olympic Stadium

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Volkswagen Group Increases Deliveries In First Half Year

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 08:45 AM PDT

ONEIGHTURBO

The Volkswagen Group increased vehicle deliveries yet again during the first half of 2012. A total of 4.45 (January – June 2011: 4.09; +8.9 percent)* million vehicles were handed over to customers worldwide in the period from January to June. The month of June was equally positive, with deliveries running at 798,500 (June 2011: 719,400; +11.0 percent)* units. “Deliveries by the Volkswagen Group developed very well in the first half of the year. But that is by no means cause for euphoria. The economic situation, particularly in Western Europe, remains tense and difficult”, Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler said in Wolfsburg on Friday, and added: “We remain on track and are entering the second half year, which will be altogether more challenging, with confidence.”

The Group brands delivered a total of 1.93 (1.90; +1.8 percent) million vehicles to customers on the overall European market in the first half year. In Western Europe (excluding Germany), 1.01 (1.07; -5.7 percent) million customers took possession of a new vehicle. The Group brands once again reported vigorous growth in the Central and Eastern Europe region, handing over 322,900 (253,700; +27.3 percent) vehicles to customers there. In its home market of Germany, deliveries by the Volkswagen Group rose 4.4 percent to 606,100 (580,600) units.

Developments on the American continent were again positive. Unit sales in North America were up 22.1 percent in the period to June to 389,800 (319,100), of which 275,200 (211,000; +30.4 percent) were delivered in the United States. The Volkswagen Group handed over 469,500 (455,200; +3.1 percent) vehicles to customers in the South America region during the same period.

Group figures for the Asia-Pacific region were also very encouraging. 1.48 (1.26; +17.6 percent) million vehicles were handed over to customers there in the first six months, of which 1.30 (1.11; +17.5 percent) million units were delivered in China, the region’s largest single market. In India, 60,900 (55,100; +10.4 percent) customers took delivery of a new vehicle from the Group.

Outline of developments at Group brands

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 2.79 (2.53; +10.2 percent) million vehicles to customers worldwide from January to June. The brand developed particularly well in the United States, where 208,700 (154,100; +35.4 percent) vehicles were handed over. Volkswagen Passenger Cars delivered 134,000 (92,300; +45.2 percent) vehicles in the Central and Eastern Europe region over the same period.

Audi delivered 733,200 (652,900) vehicles worldwide in the first half year, an increase of 12.3 percent. The premium brand from Ingolstadt benefited among other things from significant double-digit growth in China, where 193,900 (140,700; +37.8 percent) were delivered to customers, and the United States, where 65,200 (55,900; +16.5 percent) units were handed over. The brand also reported an increase in Europe, where deliveries rose by 2.8 percent compared with the same period in 2011 to 393,300 (382,800).

The SKODA brand delivered 493,000 (454,700; +8.4 percent) vehicles worldwide from January to June. The company developed particularly well in the Central and Eastern Europe region, where customers took delivery of 131,800 (113,500; +16.2 percent) new vehicles. SKODA grew deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region to 144,900 (128,900; +12.4 percent) units.

SEAT delivered 163,300 (186,400; -12.4 percent) vehicles worldwide in the period to June. The company handed over 139,100 (167,900; -17.2 percent) models to customers on the overall European market where the situation remained difficult. There were encouraging trends in Germany, where 28,400 (26,300; +8.0 percent) units were delivered, the UK, where 19,800 (18,500; +6.8 percent) customers chose a SEAT model, and Mexico, where deliveries totaled 10,200 (8,500; +20.5 percent) vehicles.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles grew deliveries 3.7 percent to 270,000 (260,300) units in the first half year. 63,000 (59,700; +5.5 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers in the home market of Germany. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also developed very well across Europe, with 165,900 (158,400; +4.7 percent) units delivered on the overall European market.

* excluding MAN and Scania

Volkswagen Group reports record deliveries for the first half of 2011

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Audi A5 DTM runs at Munich’s Olympic Stadium

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 06:44 AM PDT

ONEIGHTURBO

Audi DTM Munich

Video after the jump!

For the second consecutive time, the DTM is visiting Munich’s Olympic Stadium – a perfect opportunity for motorsport fans to enjoy a close-up experience of the new Audi A5 DTM in action and to get hold of autographs by the Audi drivers on July 14 and 15. An attractive supporting program makes the DTM race in Munich an event for the whole family.

Last year, a total of 54,000 spectators turned out for the premiere of the spectacular DTM race in Munich at which the DTM stars this year will be competing against each other on both days in a knockout system on a 614-meter synchronous track, which makes the stadium race in Munich a unique experience. A few improvements compared with last year are designed to further heighten suspense. For the first time, the race will be held on two mirrored tracks. The tarmac has higher grip and the run-off areas have been designed to allow the drivers to take their cars even closer to the limit than before. A unique advantage at a DTM race here is the fact that spectators have an unobstructed view of the track from any place in the stadium. Larger video walls and reference points on the track provide an enhanced overview.

The format of the competition on Saturday in which Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be battling for the manufacturers’ title in the so-called “relay mode” is new. Two drivers of a manufacturer, respectively, will form a team that takes turns in the pits just like in a relay race. The handoff takes place twice per run.

On Sunday, direct duels in a knockout system will be fought for the drivers’ title – pit stops and tire changes included. The leader of the standings – Gary Paffett – and the three drivers from each manufacturer with the highest point scores are placed in the table of the 22 participants and will receive a bye on the first lap.

In the Audi line-up, these drivers are Mattias Ekstrom (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline), Mike Rockenfeller (Audi Sport Team Phoenix) and Edoardo Mortara (Audi Sport Team Rosberg), which means one driver from each of the three Audi factory teams.

The two-time DTM Champion Mattias Ekström has won the “Race of Champions,” which is held in a sports arena as well, as many as three times and is regarded as a specialist for stadium races. Edoardo Mortara clinched the first victory of the Audi A5 DTM at Spielberg at the beginning of June. Last year, he was the best Audi racer in Munich. Mortara won the “race of marques” on Saturday and finished a thrilling final on Sunday as the runner-up behind Bruno Spengler.

The stadium premiere of the new Audi A5 DTM will not be the only attraction, though, to cause tens of thousands of fans to flock to the Olympiapark again on July 14 and 15. In Munich, the spectators can get into particularly close touch with the drivers and teams during autograph sessions, in open pit tents, at a pit stop challenge and guided paddock tours. An attractive supporting program ranging from the Red Bull X-Fighters, play makeup booths for children through to concerts in the paddock will make the DTM race in Munich an event for the whole family.

As at all DTM races, Audi will again showcase highlights from its current product range at the Olympiapark. DTM tickets can be obtained at www.audi.de/dtm. ARD will air extensive live coverage from Munich on both days on “Das Erste.”