Schaeffler plays significant role in shaping the DTM Electric
The future of the DTM is electric. Schaeffler is in pole position when it comes to the technological development of the DTM in the future. As series and innovation partner of the DTM, the company is developing the drive system for the electrification of the racing series. Schaeffler gave an indication of what the cars in an electric DTM might look like at the final DTM race of the 2021 season, with the DTM Electric Design Model. The car promises more racing action and power, while enabling local zero-emission races.
DTM Electric Democar makes its debut at the Hockenheimring
In autumn 2020, Schaeffler revealed for the first time what the DTM of the future might look like. As the new series and innovation partner to the DTM, Schaeffler and the umbrella organization, ITR (Internationale Tourenwagen Rennen e.V.) sent the widely acclaimed demonstration car – DTM Electric Democar – onto the Hockenheimring track as part of the final DTM race weekend. The DTM Electric has the technology, which will make the DTM into an even more attractive and green racing series; at the same time, it embodies Schaeffler’s forward-looking, innovative development approach based on actively shaping the future of mobility through technologically pioneering work.
Schaeffler supplies electric drive systems for the DTM Electric
Schaeffler plays a decisive role in the electrification of the DTM and is the development partner supplying the drive systems for the new all-electric race cars. Key systems such as the motors, power electronics, and transmissions used in the series all come from Schaeffler.
The DTM Electric Demo Car proved its performance in impressive fashion less than a year after being unveiled. As part of the DTM program at the Red Bull Ring it completed the ‘remote run’ – demo laps at race speed, but without a driver at the wheel. DTM Trophy champion Tim Heinemann controlled the 1,200 PS car from around 80 kilometers away in Graz. The commands he entered in the AVL race simulator in Graz were transferred to the DTM Electric Demo Car at the racetrack almost instantly using 5G technology.
In addition to the software control, this is primarily made possible by the drive-by-wire technology of Schaeffler. It replaces the mechanical control of steering and braking with electronic triggers, and in doing so provides the basis for autonomous driving.
Impressive performance data, state-of-the-art technology
The demo car also has battery electric drives for each wheel, which provide much greater control dynamics than a conventional drive system. This is because the driving dynamics of the car are influenced directly by the drive system on the individual wheels. This allows the steering ratio and steering assistance to be modified freely or the torque vectoring of the car to be influenced, which leads to faster cornering and, as a result, more exciting race action.
The demonstration car produces 880 kW or almost 1,200 PS – that is virtually twice as much power as the current DTM cars (approximately 450 kW). The generated torque of 1,280 Nm is also almost twice as high as before. The top speed will be above 300 km/h, and the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds.
A vision takes shape
Just a few weeks after the impressive ‘remote run’ at the Red Bull Ring, the DTM and Schaeffler unveiled the next evolutionary phase of the DTM Electric, the DTM Electric Design Model. Its design captures what the race cars in an all-electric touring car race series will look like in future. Entrants in the future DTM electric series will be able to customise the design of their chassis.
The DTM Electric Design Model was unveiled at Schaeffler’s home race at the Norisring in Nuremberg, just a few kilometers away from the company’s HQ in Herzogenaurach. The next step in the development now sees Schaeffler combine the tried-and-tested technology from the DTM Electric Democar with the aesthetics of the DTM Electric Design Model. The resulting car will be very close to the race car that will line up in the first fully-electric touring car series.
