Carrera Audi A5 DTM - Home Racing World & The Slot Car Garage

08/11/2014

1/32nd Scale Carrera Audi A5 DTM #30674

I just added a new competitor to one of my favorite modern series by Carrera: The Audi A5. Of course I have the first release of this model but I like this series a great deal and adding another was an easy decision.

*NOTE* This is a digital car that was converted to analog. Conversion to analog is EASY by just pulling the trigger on your track 3 times.

Here is a quick video on converting digital to analog with the chipset still installed.

DIGITAL to ANALOG CONVERSION VIDEO

Quick Data

Length- 151 mm (bumper to bumper 156 with wing)
Width - 61.50 mm (At widest section of rear fenders)
Height - 36.60 mm
Wheelbase - 85.70 mm
Total Weight - 100 grams

* Spare mirrors are located in the back of the case *

Overall fit and finish is about as good as it gets in our hobby. Clean and crisp markings are nicely sealed with an equally clean clear coat. The livery is based on last years Team Phoenix car and you can read more about it here and see how well Carrera has done.

When it comes to modern race cars I am not a fan of many. The designs of them leave me cold for the most part, but these cars still have appeal to me. They have identity characteristics I can easily see and the body shapes are attractive to my eye.

Although Carrera is the most affordable brand in our hobby, they are also one of the nicest in detail level. Proving you do not have to sacrifice accuracy in order to obtain a low price point. Even a digital version such as this one cost me less than other brands standard versions. Carrera Slots has it for right under $45.00 and that is more than acceptable for me.

Some enthusiasts complain about some models not being pure analog and that the analog versions do not have lights. In my eyes there is nothing to complain about given this price point. If you really want lights then the price is more than fair. If lights are no issue then you can always sell or trade the digital chip to others further reducing the cost.

Under The Hood

Here is quick video review of the model.

The chassis is all the same as last year. 9/27 gear ratio with standard motor. Tires are very well suited for plastic and wood and the wheel/axles are very round and true.

But as good as they are many of us like a different tire to tune to our liking. As usual Paul Gage tires makes a tire just for this model. The fit is very clean and you should not need to sand very much to get an ideal contact patch.

Track Test
MIDMO International Speedway
4x16 - 3 Lane MDF - Satin/Flat Latex Surface
SCC Braid/Flush Mount - Pyramid PS26KX Aftermarket Power @12 Volts
Professor Motor 2110 Controllers

If you watch the video that tells it all. This car is very smooth right out of the box on a surface it's now designed for. I cannot say that for every car that arrives here to say the least. Of course you will always get a car that has an issue or two, but this is my 4th model in a year span and all of them ran the same. I would say that is pretty consistent.

Recently Slot.it introduced a chassis available through Shapeways. It appears these cars are pretty popular if Slot.it is going through the effort of making a chassis for the more advanced racer. But to me these cars don't need a chassis. They already have a good one at no extra cost. With a little tuning they are some of the nicest running models on our track & most of the truly advanced racers I know can make it haul the mail without replacement. We only run these in a class by themselves anyway so we have no need to change it.

On the other hand it just adds even more appeal to the model. Now if you DO want to outfit this car with the latest tech you can do so rather easily. This is something we do not see everyday in our hobby and although I do not need it, I really can appreciate the option.

Lap times here are good enough to let me know we have another nice car to start with. With a tire swap and a maybe a guide change, this car will be track ready in no time. But as it is I have very little to complain about. And that has become a trait of Carrera in the last few years.

You get a great looking car, at the lowest price point in our hobby, and it runs well out of the box. When you add that all up there really isn't much to complain about. Except that I just want more. But we all agree we cannot ever have enough slot cars in our collection right?

All in all I am very pleased with this selection and the entire series thus far. I am certain most of you will feel the same.

- Harry

Contact ME here about this review or the hobby in general.

Thanks Carrera Slots for Sponsoring This Review!