01 · Overview
The comeback that worked immediately
BMW was active in the DTM from 1984 to 1992: 49 wins, 30 poles, three drivers’ titles — Volker Strycek in 1984 with the 635 CSi, Eric van de Poele in 1987 and Roberto Ravaglia in 1989 with the M3. The E30 M3 alone claimed 40 wins and 151 podium finishes. Then came a twenty-year pause.
In October 2010, development began in parallel with the announcement of the return. The first chassis was ready by mid-2011, finished by the end of 2011, homologation followed on 1 March 2012, and the race debut came on 29 April at Hockenheim. Seven months later, in the tenth and final round at the same venue, everything was decided: Bruno Spengler won his fourth race of the season ahead of Gary Paffett, overtaking the Mercedes driver in the standings. Augusto Farfus finished third after starting from pole.
In the end, all three titles went to BMW: drivers’ title for Bruno Spengler in the BMW Bank M3 DTM run by BMW Team Schnitzer, team title for Schnitzer, and manufacturers’ title for BMW. Five of the ten races went to BMW.
02 · History
From announcement to triple title
- 2010 In October, BMW announces its return to the DTM; development of the car begins in parallel.
- 2011 The first chassis is built mid-year, and it is finished by the end of the year.
- 2012 Homologation on 1 March, race debut on 29 April at the Hockenheimring.
- 2012 In the final round at Hockenheim, Bruno Spengler wins ahead of Gary Paffett and takes the drivers' title. Added to that: team title for Schnitzer and manufacturers' title for BMW — with five wins from ten races.
03 · Model overview
The racing variants of the E92 compared
Technische Daten anzeigen — komplette Modellmatrix
| Modell | Motor | Hubraum | Leistung | Bauzeit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 GT2 | S65-V8 | 4,0 l | approx. 485 PS at 1,150 kg | 2009–2012 |
| M3 GT4 | S65-V8 | 4,0 l | approx. 450 PS at 1,430 kg | ab 2009 |
| M3 DTM | BMW P66 | 4,0 l | approx. 480 PS at 1,200 kg incl. driver | 2012–2013 |
04 · In detail
In detail
DTM racing car based on the E92
4,775 × 1,950 × approx. 1,200 mm, base weight 1,200 kg including driver, 120-litre tank. Carbon monocoque with integrated tank and steel roll cage. Homologated on 1 March 2012.
05 · Engines
The engine
BMW P66 · 4,000 cc · around 480 PS verified
A 90-degree V8 naturally aspirated engine with four valves per cylinder, controlled by a Bosch MS 5.1. The output of around 480 PS results from the regulation air restrictor, with torque of about 500 Nm. The engine consists of 800 different components and a total of 3,900 individual parts. Only ten engines were permitted per season for all BMWs combined.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Bauart | 90-degree V8 naturally aspirated engine, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Hubraum | 4.000 cm³ |
| Leistung | approx. 480 PS with air restrictor |
| Drehmoment | ca. 500 Nm |
| Motorsteuerung | Bosch MS 5.1 |
| Getriebe | sequential six-speed gearbox, pneumatic paddle shifters |
| Kontingent | ten engines per season for all BMWs |
BMW PressClub T0126329EN
06 · Engineering
Engineering
Chassis
Chassis and wheels
The drivers in 2012
The special edition for the title
07 · Motorsport
Motorsport
The M3 DTM is a pure racing car. 2012 result: five wins from ten races, drivers’ title for Bruno Spengler, team title for BMW Team Schnitzer, manufacturers’ title for BMW. Over the entire period of use through 2017, the English Wikipedia lists ten wins, nine poles, seven fastest laps, two constructors’ titles and one drivers’ title for the M3 DTM.
08 · The competition
The competition
Mercedes-Benz C-Coupé DTM
The 2012 title rival — Gary Paffett only lost to Spengler in the final round.
Audi A5 DTM
The third manufacturer in the field, also new in 2012 following the joint regulation change.
09 · Galerie
Galerie
10 · Sources