BMW has unveiled its concept contender for its return to DTM racing from 2012.
Based on the current BMW M3, the DTM car is finished with a matte black exterior and gets swollen arches with air ducts to assist cooling, a heavily redesigned front bumper with big splitter and a large rear wing for added downforce.
The racer is powered by a 4.0-litreV8, which is tuned to produce approximately 480bhp. Power is transferred through the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox. The dash to 62 mph from standstill is taken care in three seconds and the top speed is approximately 186 mph.
BMW member of the board of management Dr. Klaus Draeger said, “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.”
The company also announced that British driver Andy Priaulx and Brazilian Augusto Farfus will be behind the wheel of the racer.
In its previous stint in the DTM competition series between 1987 and 1992 the BMW M3 racked up 40 wins and over 150 podium finishes.
Kabeer Mahajan
Autocar
