2012 BMW M3 DTM livery

BMW Motorsport has revealed the livery that its new M3 challenger will be sporting in next year’s DTM race series.

Shown off at an event held in Heidelberg, the colour scheme sticks closely to tradition. Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director, commented: “Old-school DTM fans will recognise from the typical BMW M stripes that the appearance is based on the original BMW M3 cars from the ‘old DTM’. We are very proud of this design. It is both traditional and modern in equal measures. It shows our roots, but in a contemporary style.”

Three teams - BMW Team RBM, BMW Team RMG and BMW Team Schnitzer - have been chosen to represent BMW in its return to the DTM, and each will run two cars. So far, the only two confirmed drivers are Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus.

Fans attending tomorrow’s final round of the 2011 DTM at the Hockenheimring will be treated to a preview of next season’s entrants, as the M3 DTM, Audi A5 DTM and DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé are all going to run demonstration laps.



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DTM Mercedes C-Coupé

Like Audi, Mercedes-Benz has chosen the Frankfurt Motor Show to reveal its challenger for the 2012 DTM season.



Unveiled by Mercedes GP drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, the new DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé will replace this year’s AMG Mercedes C-Class.

Few technical details have been released, but the DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé will be built to the revised 2012 DTM regulations. That means many of its components, including the carbon fibre monocoque chassis and built-in steel safety cage, will be shared with the rival Audi A5 DTM and BMW M3 DTM race cars in an effort to cut costs.



Norbert Haug, Vice-President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, said: “This new-generation vehicle, based on our Mercedes-Benz C- Coupé, signals the introduction of an even more spectacular racing car from the start of 2012. I am certain that the spectators will get their money's worth from the three-way fight between Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the DTM next year.”



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Audi unveils new A5 DTM

Audi has taken the wraps of its new A5 DTM at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car, which has the internal project code ‘R17’, will compete in the 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters race series against entries from both Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Audi A5 DTM 2012. Scroll down for more images.

The A5 DTM is being built to revised regulations that come into force from next season. As with many championships around the globe, these focus primarily on increased safety and reduced costs.



Indeed, in an effort to slash expenditure, more than fifty components will be shared between the A5, C-Class and M3 rivals. These include the engine sub-frame, six-speed transmission and even the chassis, which is constructed as a carbon fibre monocoque with a built-in steel safety cage.



Another important change for 2012 is more restricted aerodynamics. A good example of this is the rear wing, which will be much less complex than before despite being larger. Again, this measure has been implemented mainly to reduce costs, but it should also create more overtaking opportunities because the cars will be able to slipstream better.



Carried over from the old A4 DTM is the V8 engine that delivers around 450 bhp (340 kW / 460 PS). Audi has also drawn from its GT3 race programme in developing the A5 DTM, as the central display and Bosch engine management system are borrowed from the R8 LMS.

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Audi A5 DTM renderings

Funny how that on the day BMW took the wraps of its M3 DTM Concept, Audi also decided to issue some preliminary details about its 2012 DTM challenger. Very coincidental, indeed…



But it’s not as if Audi even has a car to show yet, because the new A5-based racer won’t have its public debut until September’s Frankfurt International Motor Show. So, all there is to look at for the time being are a few ‘concept study’ sketches.

The A5 DTM, which has an internal codename of ‘R17’, replaces the four-door A4 that Audi currently uses in the championship. And like other DTM competitors, it won’t have much in common with its road-going equivalent.



Its bodyshell, for example, will be built from carbon fibre with a hefty steel safety cage. Revised regulations for next season mean that driver safety standards are to be improved further, especially in the areas of side impact protection and fire suppression systems. Other changes include fewer permitted aerodynamic components on the car, although the rear wing will actually be larger.



One element that is going to be carried over from the A4 DTM is the powertrain, which comprises a V8 engine producing around 450 bhp (340 kW / 460 PS) and a six-speed gearbox.



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BMW M3 DTM Concept

BMW M3 DTM Concept

Ahead of a keenly anticipated return to the DTM in 2012, BMW has unveiled its M3 DTM Concept Car.

During a launch event held at the BMW Welt facility in Munich, it was announced that three teams - BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG - will be campaigning the cars next season.



Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus were also confirmed as the first two drivers, although it has yet to be decided which teams they’ll be allocated to.

Three-time World Touring Car Champion Priaulx said, “The DTM will be a big challenge for us all. Together with BMW, I have celebrated success in many different disciplines and behind the wheel of some fantastic racing cars in recent years. I am more than confident that this will also be the case in the DTM. The BMW M3 DTM looks fantastic. I can hardly wait to get to know the car better in the coming tests, to contribute to its development, and ultimately to sit in the cockpit for the first DTM race in 2012.”



Powered by a V8 engine producing around 473 bhp (353 kW / 480 PS), the M3 DTM should be able to accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in about three seconds, before going on to a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).

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Audi A5 DTM renderings