Schaeffler has demonstrated a new green and electric future for the DTM racing series during the final week of the DTM season.

As the new DTM Series and Innovation Partner, Schaeffler, along with the umbrella organisation ITR (Internationale Tourenwagen Rennen e.V.), are presenting a demonstration car at the Hockenheimring. The vehicle has four battery-powered Schaeffler drivetrains, one for each wheel, and is also equipped with Schaeffler’s Space Drive steer-by-wire technology. The prototype was driven by Formula E driver Daniel Abt and two-time DTM champion Timo Scheider, as well as Schaeffler Brand Ambassador, Sophia Flörsch.  

Matthias Zink, CEO of Automotive Technologies at Schaeffler said, “We are looking forward to the partnership. Our innovative e-drive technologies have been producing success in Formula E since 2014 and are now also used in production vehicles. This collaboration demonstrates pioneering spirit and innovation, and underlines our desire, as technology partner, to make progress that has an impact on the world.”  

The demonstration car in action at the Hockenheimring can generate almost 1,200 hp with 800 kW,   which is virtually twice as much power as current DTM cars (at 450 kW). It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, making it roughly 0.4 seconds faster than the current Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM. It also features Space Drive steer-by-wire technology, which has already been successfully tried and tested in motorsport, as well as an integrated vehicle dynamics control to manage the four motors. In its role as a development platform, further outings are planned at DTM events during 2021, and it’s possible that DTM could become a fully-electric race series from 2023.

The global automobile and industrial supplier recently launched a new image campaign, with the goal of positioning the Schaeffler corporate brand and communicating the new claim of “We pioneer motion”. At the heart of the campaign is the “Green makes the difference” concept, which symbolises that Schaeffler is a trailblazer when it comes to any form of motion. Matthias Zink commented, “The partnership with the DTM is perfectly suited to Schaeffler. As a pioneer, we want to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries and, in doing so, to make a difference.”

You can find more information on the campaign by searching for “We pioneer motion” online, where you will find the Schaeffler microsite.