BMW prototyp DTM

[bmw3s]

The final meeting of the DTM season in Hockenheim marked the first live race-track appearance of the new BMW M3 DTM in front of tens of thousands of cheering spectators. But there are still plenty of tests for it to be put through before the next season begins in April 2012. We asked the director of motorsport at BMW, Jens Marquardt, how the preparations for the new season are coming along.




MPW: Powered by a V8 engine with around 480bhp, the BMW M3 DTM certainly has a beefy and muscular feel to it. Yet there are still a number of technical and optical changes expected before the start of the 2012 season. Is this because the regulations for the DTM 2012 season have not yet been finalised?

JM: Well, yes, that is one of the reasons, but the main one is that right now we are still in the middle of the development phase. As we wish to prolong this for as long as we can, we won’t be installing its final parts until next spring. Put simply, it is important for us at this stage to gather experience on a stable platform and to have a chance to ’run in’ the numerous standard components we are using.


MPW: When can we expect the regulations to be announced?

JM: That is up to the ITR. But as far we are concerned, I can only say, the sooner the better.
MPW: What effect will this timetable have on the progress of your development activities?

JM: Not much. What we are concentrating on right now is to gather as much experience as we can. Over the last few months, we have driven more than 11,000 test kilometres, which amply demonstrates the sturdy foundation that we have developed for ourselves. We will then be moving over to the decisive performance tests in the first months of next year.



MPW: BMW Motorsport has already conducted a number of tests on the Hungaroring and the EuroSpeedway Lausitz. What were the objectives here?

JM: We were primarily conducting tyre, system and kinematics tests.


MPW: On November 15, you will be making your way to the Circuito Monteblanco in Spain, about 50 kilometres from Valencia. Will your newly signed driver, Bruno Spengler, have a chance to get his hand on the wheel?

JM: Yes, he certainly will. Our sincere thanks go to Bruno’s previous employer, Mercedes, for releasing him this early to allow him to take part in our preparations; we greatly appreciate this gesture of sportsmanship. Not only that, but it is also a good indication of how well we cooperate behind the scenes. What we are looking forward to now is seeing him drive his first few laps in the BMW M3 DTM. We can’t wait to hear what his impressions are. We are also eagerly awaiting Joey Hand’s comments. Joey and Dirk Müller turned in an excellent performance in the last ALMS season. Dirk had several opportunities to test the BMW M3 DTM. Joey’s test also shows just how closely our motorsport activities are interlinked.






MPW: During the tests, the BMW M3 was seen with rear exhaust pipes, although side pipes would also be an alternative; after all, this construction was also employed at previous DTM events. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these exhaust systems?

JM: The exhaust is decided by the technical regulations, so basically we don’t have any choice. The different constructions are only a reflection of the current status of our discussions.

MPW: The new DTM racing vehicles are fitted with a carbon-fibre monocoque, a high-strength steel safety cage and carbon-fibre crash absorbers, which are designed to afford the driver extremely good protection. What is so special about this concept?

JM: Sadly, the events of recent weeks have demonstrated once more that there will never be such a thing as ultimate safety in motorsport. The important thing, then, is to continue to question existing safety standards and optimise them. We are very proud of the safety standards of the ’new’ DTM – they are going to be extremely high. In future, every car will be fitted with six crash absorbers, providing the driver with additional protection at the front, rear and sides of the vehicle. Innovative crash constructions made of carbon fibre absorb the energy of an impact gradually, to ensure that the driver is not exposed to excessive deceleration forces.





MPW: Many BMW M Fans are eagerly awaiting the first racing appearance of the BMW M3 DTM. But they also want to know what is going to happen to the successful BMW M3 GT that dominated both the driver and team scores of the GT class in the 2011 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season. What does the future hold in store for the BMW M3 GT? Is BMW Motorsport planning to enter the car again, perhaps at the Nürburgring 24-hour event on the north loop?

JM: We are hoping to announce our programme for the coming year over the next few weeks.

[Alex505]

Зеркала -просто мега хай тек!!! :-)

[bmw3s]

[AlikM5]

наконец то в дтм вернулись.

[bmw3s]

[AlikM5]

е30 на заднем плане больше по душе))

[bmw3s]

Сообщение от AlikM5

е30 на заднем плане больше по душе))

Она всем больше по души, но валить полюбому нужно на этой.

[Alex505]

Золотые слова! Точнее не выразишься!

[MachineHead]

Фото с тестов в Эшториле

[Volnik]

Сообщение от MachineHead

Фото с тестов в Эшториле

Раскрашена прикольно. Похожа на мультяшную тачку.