km : Motorsport News

At the end of the last week we saw Audi's new A5 DTM car sketched out and today we see BMW's M3 in concept form. 2012 looks to be a very good year for DTM racing. This BMW looks as mean as the Audi looks sexy. Like the preview of every production BMW, this isn't the actual race car; it's a concept. But like every production BMW, the concept surely looks just like the eventual race car. The first two drivers, however don't debut in concept form--they're Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus.

“It is good to see how our DTM project is picking up speed,” said Dr. Klaus Draeger, BMW board member. ”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.”

When the car hits the track, it'll use a V8 making about 480 horsepower, good enough for a 0-62 mph time of three seconds and a top speed around 186 mph. DTM isn't German drag racing though, so there's obviously far more to consider than acceleration. We'll have to wait until 2012 to appreciate the M3 DTM's other qualities.

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