BMW has revealed its concept for the 2012 DTM touring car championship - the M3 DTM.
With a driver line-up of Britain's Andy Priaulx and the Brazilian Augusto Farfus, next year's season is already looking promising for the German firm. The M3 DTM has a 480bhp V8 engine and sequential gearbox, which makes it good for 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds and an estimated 186mph.
Loosely based on the current M3 Coupé, the DTM concept uses a carbon fibre body and chassis along with some serious aerodynamic aids in the form of a flared front spoiler and splitter and a hefty rear wing.
The M3 DTM marks a full factory return from BMW to the DTM touring car series. Dr Klaus Draeger, BMW's director for development, said: "It is good to see how our DTM project is picking up speed. Next year, BMW returns to the DTM after two decades. We will be facing our main competitors in the premium sector - and are already looking forward to this challenge.
"The DTM comeback sees BMW return to its roots. We have enjoyed great success in production car racing in the past, and I am convinced we will follow on in 2012 where we left off. Everyone at BMW Motorsport is working hard to ensure we get off to a successful start next season."
Alisdair Suttie - 18 Jul 2011