Audi Sport gives wings to Swedish auto racing team EKS

Audi Sport is literally giving wings to the rallycross team of two-time DTM Champion and World Rallycross Champion Mattias Ekstrom. The complex rear wing of the all-wheel drive sports car is just one of the results of the intensified technical cooperation between Audi's motorsport department and EKS Audi Sport. "Last season, we started providing factory support to Mattias Ekstrom's team in the World RX," says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. "Now our engineers have been involved in the further development of the car for the first time as well."

With innovative aerodynamics concepts Audi was some crucial steps ahead of the competition in recent years with LMP sports cars and in the DTM. This know-how has now been fed into the second generation of the new Audi S1 EKS RX quattro.

The new rear wing generates more downforce while concurrently reducing aerodynamic drag. The engineers have optimised the location of the cooling systems with maximum efficiency in mind as well. They are now supplied by air scoops in the roof and in the rear side windows.

Compared with the first generation Audi S1 EKS RX quattro, the technicians have changed the position of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine. This in turn entailed extensive modifications of oil management. This year, for the first time, an anti-lag system is used, which maintains the turbocharger's speed even when the driver lifts. The software of the engine is new as well.

Maximum engine output has increased to 572bhp. However, the further development was not directly focused on maximum power output but on drivability. For this purpose, the engineers have optimised boost pressure in part-load and overrun conditions too.

"We have noticeably more engine power than ever before," says Mattias Ekstrom who, following the first test laps with the new engine in Majorca, climbed out of the cockpit with a broad grin on his face. "Putting the power on the ground is even more important. We're only going to see where we stand at Barcelona."

On the Spanish race track, the new season will kick off on 14^th and 15^th April. EKS Audi Sport has prepared two new cars at the team's base in Fagersta, Sweden. The Audi S1 EKS RX quattro with chassis number 006 will be the race car of new signing Andreas Bakkerud, Mattias Ekstrom will receive chassis 007.