Audi, luxury unit of Volkswagen and recipient of highly reliable VW repair manuals - to prepare for the 2007 DTM season has invited four DTM stars to test drive its R10 TDI. The four DTM stars were given the chance to test drive the 650 hp Audi R10 TDI just before 2007 DTM season opens at Hockenheim on April 22. Mike Rockefeller, Alexandre Premat, Lucas Luhr, and Mattias Ekstrom finished 1,400 test kilometers with the revolutionary Diesel sportscar from Audi AG during a development test for the 24 Hours of Le Mans held at the “High Tech Test Track” at Paul Ricard (South of France).

The four DTM stars were really impressed by the enormous torque and power produced by the V12 TDI engine during their initial test.

The Frenchman Alexandre Premat was also equally impressed with the V12 TDI engine and stated, "It's incredible to see just how professionally the Audi team works. The R10 is simply unbelievable: It is a TDI, but has the power of a Formula 1 car. I'm extremely grateful that Audi gave me the opportunity to test this car. And of course it was a nice birthday present." Premat has already a Formula 1 experience and the time that he was to test drive the V12 TDI engine coincides with his 25th birthday. It was truly a wonderful birthday gift for him.

The German Lucas Luhr has also shared hi sown observation of the V12 TDI engine. He said, "You notice that the car is 150 kilograms heavier, particularly when you brake into the corners or have to change direction rapidly. However, the R10 TDI is very driveable, reacts precisely to changes and is great fun to drive - and obviously the engine power is staggering." Luhr has won LM P2 class in last year’s American Le Mans Series and only knew of the Audi R10 TDI from the opponent’s perspective. He was so amazed by how noticeable the heavier weight, stipulated by the LM P1 regulations was perfectly balanced in the R10 TDI.

Mattias Ekstrom who is a 2004 DTM Champion just like the other three DTM stars just cannot hide his delight as he climbed from the Diesel sportscar’s cockpit. He exclaimed, "First of all I need to sleep on this experience for a few days and analyse the whole thing, because it was so amazing that I drove every lap with adrenalin pulsing through my veins. I felt immediately at home in the car, but I need more experience to keep calm. The power, torque and downforce are phenomenal and obviously completely different to the DTM car. I could only have kept up in the slow corners with my A4." Ekstrom has already tested an Audi R8 previously but the R10 TDI has proven to be more of an exciting experience for him.

The four DTM stars have showed excellent driving prowess that they are now the first choice for the cockpit for a third Audi R10 TDI in the 24 Hours of Le Mans which is scheduled on June 16 to 17 that is if ever the entry is confirmed.