Friday 16th September 2011

Mercedes Unveils New DTM Racer

AMG C-Coupe gets ready for a spectacular new season

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So there I was putting the finishing touches to a PH fleet update on our C63 AMG estate, when RacingPete appeared from nowhere with an update on his SEAT Cupra. Surprised? You could have knocked me down with a feather... They must finally have installed wi-fi at the golf club.

Still, while rummaging through the M-B media site to remind myself of some key C63 facts, I fell over these pictures of a Frankfurt show debut we've managed to overlook. If you're prudish look away now, because it's slightly pornographic.

More specifically, it's the new for 2012 DTM AMG C-Coupe that M-B will race in the footsteps of the successful AMG C-Class, which scored 84 victories from 156 races to become the winningest (yes, we hate that word too. Ed) vehicle in nearly three decades of DTM racing.

Constructed to latest DTM specs (doh!) the new racer is built around a carbon-fibre monocoque and steel roll cage, with all its safety-related bits like fuel tank and fire extinguishers built inside the monocoque.

With cars like this dicing for honours in a three-way battle between Audi, BMW and Mercedes, it's not surprising that the DTM series attracted 2.4 million viewers on race weekends last year.

M-B motorsport boss Norbert Haug reckons it's going to be even more exciting in 2012, and promises spectators 'will get their money's worth'.

DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé Technical Data

Chassis:	Carbon fibre monocoque with steel roll cage, front, lateral and rear crash structures, bonnet, doors, side panels and wings in carbon fibre Length: 5.010 mm Width: 1.950 mm Height: 1.210 mm Wheelbase: 2.750 mm Fuel tank: 120 litres Weight: 1050 kg (with driver)
Aerodynamics:	Aerodynamic modifications to front splitter and side panels, flat bottom, front and rear diffusers, rear wing
Engine:	Capacity: 4.0 litres Cylinder head: 4 valves per cylinder Cylinder arrangement: V8, 90 ° Performance: approx 500bhp at 7500 rpm Maximum torque: 500 Nm Air intake restrictors: 2 x 28 mm diameter
Transmission:	Standard 6-speed transverse-mounted gearbox, rear-wheel drive, pneumatically operated sequential gear shift on steering wheel, mechanical differential lock without traction control, carbon fibre driveshaft, 3-plate carbon fibre clutch operated by foot pedal
Suspension:	Double wishbones with spring/damper units to front and rear axles, actuated via pushrods
Brakes:	Standard carbon braking system without ABS
Steering:	Rack and pinion steering with power assistance
Wheels / tyres:	Aluminium wheels, control tyres Front: Wheels: 12x18                 Tyres: 300 / 680 R18 Rear: Wheels: 13x18                 Tyres: 310 / 710 R18

[rallyman77]

Hard and aggressive looks. Me likes.

[SlimRick]

I'd have that as my daily.

[Guvernator]

That looks like it could hoover up small children! Is it just me that's getting quite excited about DTM this year? The grid is starting to look very tasty.

[Switch]

Schumacher looks a mess.
Shabby suit

[attym3]

Switch said:

Schumacher looks a mess.
Shabby suit

What's that stupid number plate thing on the front with the heart on?

[Badgerboy]

attym3 said:

What's that stupid number plate thing on the front with the heart on?

Don't you love Deutsche Post too?

[Agoogy]

" I love the German Post Office"
? weird.
Schumi does look a mess...was this because of his dressing down after Monza?

[JohnG1]

Switch said:

Schumacher looks a mess.
Shabby suit

Er, is this pistonheads or what not to wear?

[soad]

Really mean bodykit, bit of a monster!

[ZOLLAR]

attym3 said:

Switch said:

Schumacher looks a mess.
Shabby suit

What's that stupid number plate thing on the front with the heart on?

It looks like it means "I love horn"

[monthefish]

Looks great.

Who is going to be driving it this season?

[marcosgt]

I'm a bit disappointed to see winglets on the front, but at least it's only one each side and hopefully losing it won't render the cars undriveable as it does on the current cars.

Personally, I would've banned them full stop...

M

[Or888t]

Why doesnt the new black series car look like this?!











What is the 4L v8 they use? (Sorry i don't follow DTM)

[GroundEffect]

Or888t said:

Why doesnt the new black series car look like this?!











What is the 4L v8 they use? (Sorry i don't follow DTM)

It's a bespoke racing V8. High revving flat-plane crank job. I don't know what they've done to the exhaust system but it sounds so much more high-pitched than the Audi DTM car. Proper screamer.

[Or888t]

GroundEffect said:

It's a bespoke racing V8. High revving flat-plane crank job. I don't know what they've done to the exhaust system but it sounds so much more high-pitched than the Audi DTM car. Proper screamer.

Thanks
'Heads off to youtube...'

[Or888t]

BLOODY HELL!!!
You wernt joking about them being 'screamers'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_sETESXRlo&fea...
(1st minute)

[bobberz]

Loving the way the current crop of DTM cars look! Who cares if they're "silhouette racers", they look fantastic! Especially now that they've switched to the coupe bodystyles!

Too bad there's f*&k all coverage of DTM here in the 'States.

[bobberz]

Switch said:

Schumacher looks a mess.
Shabby suit

Is Schuey going to be driving in DTM now?

[Hoofty]

Good Lord, side pipes are just so manly. I miss the ludicrous number of winglets, but I still love the way they all look like the body sank about 8 inches.

[Mug]

Now that looks cracking in the silver AMG livery, I bet it looks good in the carbon fibre wrap that one of the teams uses