At the final DTM race weekend of 2020, powertrain specialists Schaeffler showed its vision of what it could look like in the future.
As the new Series and Innovation Partner of the German Touring Car Masters (DTM), Schaeffler and DTM’s umbrella organization, ITR (Internationale Tourenwagen Rennen e.V.), presented a demonstration car at the Hockenheimring, featuring a Schaeffler electric powertrain with four motors, one for each wheel and fitted with the company’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.
The demonstration car has a total output of around 800kW – almost twice that of current DTM cars (over 450kW). In its role as a development platform toward an electric DTM machine, outings are planned for the car at events in 2021. There is a possibility that DTM will attempt a move to a full EV format in 2023.
“We are looking forward to the partnership,” said Matthias Zink, CEO Automotive Technologies at Schaeffler. “Our innovative e-drive technologies have been producing success in Formula E since 2014 and are now also used in production vehicles. The collaboration demonstrates pioneering spirit and innovation, and underlines our desire, as technology partner, to make progress that has an impact on the world.”
