March 19 was a very special date for the Swedish KMS Motorsport team: On that Wednesday, the race version of the new Audi A4 completed a successful rollout with Fredrik Ekblom at the wheel. “It was a big day for the entire team – particularly however, for those people who worked extremely hard to realise the project,” explained Team Principal Tommy Kristoffersson.

Up to last year, KMS Motorsport was successful with the Super Touring version of the Audi A4 quattro in the Swedish Touring Car Championship. A change in regulations left KMS with no other choice than to develop a completely new car for the 2003 season. With support from the Audi Sport Customer Department, a race version of the new Audi A4 complying with the “Super 2000 Touring Car” regulations was developed.

Because it is a national project, supported by the Swedish Audi importer, the new A4 race version was provisionally homologated only in Sweden and not however, with the international federation FIA. The advantage for KMS: Cars homologated nationally weigh 40 kilograms less than those cars authorised by the FIA and, for example, compete in the European Touring Car Championship.

Benefiting from the weight advantage and building a light car was therefore one of the priorities set during development of the new front wheel drive car. “We reached this target,” said a proud Ronnie Bergström, Technical Director at KMS Motorsport in Arvika, Sweden.

For the A4 STCC development, the engineers could exploit the experiences made with the Super Touring Car, but could only incorporate a few complete parts as the body and suspension components of the old and new Audi A4 were completely different. Only the gearbox was used during 1997 and 1998 in the front wheel drive A4 Super Touring.

All other components were redesigned, including the four cylinder 260 hp engine that, because of the more limited Super 2000 regulations, differs completely to the STW engine. Furthermore, replacing the four-valve engine as basis unit is the more modern five-valve version.

When compared to the previous Super Touring Cars, more restrictive aerodynamic regulations are valid for the Super 2000 Touring Cars. The cars have a homogenous rear wing and less downforce. Therefore, during development particular value was attached to obtaining the most efficient air flow possible over the rear wing.

“In Super Touring Cars, the attention to detail is even more important than ever before,” explained Team Principal Tommy Kristoffersson. “I am convinced that the new A4 has plenty of potential that we must exploit during the course of the year.”