DTM has initiated a long-term development programme for a emission-reduced high-performance fuel, with the first test set to be taking place at this weekend's season finale at the Hockenheimring.
The series' long time fuel partner Aral has developed a fuel that consists of 50 per cent high-quality renewable components derived from waste products. The fuel has a carbon footprint that is over 30 percent lower compared to fuels manufactured exclusively from mineral oils.
At Hockenheim, Audi and Aston Martin will both be testing the new fuel in their race taxis. The aim of the trial is to understand the performance and potential of a more environmentally friendly high-performance fuel in representative race engines. According to Aral, the newly developed fuel meets the same quality and performance levels of the currently used Aral Performance 102 fuel, while also meeting European fuel requirements.
“With the development and first application of this fuel, we’re demonstrating the potential of refined liquid fuels in a combustion engine," said Peter Sauermann, head of Aral Research. "In the future, these can make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions in traffic.”
DTM aims to continue tests with the new fuel in the race taxis throughout the 2020 season, while also seeking to develop a hybrid programme for the series, which will likely be control components for budgetary reasons. They will also used in conjunction with DTM's current engine regulations.
“This pilot project is part of a rich programme for the future aimed at the introduction of sustainable drive technologies to the DTM,” said Achim Kostron, managing director of DTM organisation ITR. “And, as part of that process, our scope will expand from greener fuels to include a greater focus on hybrid drive.”
“Our main aim will always be to provide spectacular racing for the fans," Kostron added. "Equally, however, motorsport has a responsibility to investigate new technologies for the automotive industry, or to intensively develop them in a high-performance environment.
Together with our manufacturers and technology partners, the ITR is working intensively on the technical configuration for the DTM car of the future.”
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