Audi’s motorsport division is having a very busy year in 2012, fielding the new R18 in Le Mans, the A5 in DTM, and the RS5 in the Italian Superstars Series.

Audi has just finished the homologation of the new Audi A5 DTM to cope with the new DTM rules, with 59 days to go before it reports to the Hockenheimring on April 29 for the first round of the 2012 season.

Audi has covered the car in the picture apparently to keep its aerodynamic features a secret, saying that “minutest detail will count this year in the DTM.” New DTM rules requiring more shared parts than in the past and imposing further restrictions on aerodynamics as well, left Audi engineers with no choice but to get creative again. And they’re bloody good at it.

The single-frame radiator grille and the air intakes on the sides of the front spoiler in combination with the characteristic LED daytime running lights of the production A5 give the A5 DTM an extremely dynamic look. The three-dimensional aerodynamics components in the lower third of the vehicle flanks are small works of technological art. And the rear section as well exhibits innovative ideas.

Audi also has a new campaign in the now famous Italian Superstars Series, which is like British Touring Car Championship, only Italian, and more exciting. It’s more exciting because of the cars that take part.

Audi used to run – quite successfully – the old RS4 in the championship, but for 2012 they will be coming with a coupe, the RS5. Besides Audi Sport Italia, other teams including MTM and KMS will also be using the new car.

The beauty of the Superstars Series is that the cars are very close to the road-going versions. That makes the races very fun to watch.