Last chance saloon

The DTM series is at a crossroads and needs to make decisions quickly to save the series. Racecar looks at the options available

- ANDREW COTTON

In 2012, the DTM series introduced a new base car developed in conjunction with its three competing manufacturers, Audi, Mercedes and BMW. The latter joined the series on the proviso that this car become a global platform, available to be used in multiple race series, but that plan was only a partial success. Eventually, the series did reach an agreement with the Japanese Super GT series to also use their components, and it seems they will continue to use the German-developed chassis in future.

However, while that model appears to be working in Japan, in Germany things have taken a turn for the worse. Mercedes withdrew from the series before the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine regulations were introduced and, at the end of this year, Audi departs, leaving BMW the sole manufacturer. For many, this signals the end of a once-great series after a flawed rules-set was introduced.

The cars that were introduced in 2012 featured components designed by the three manufacturers, and then shared around the competing teams. Mercedes developed the roll cage and monocoque, Audi the driveshaft and gearbox, BMW the electronics.

Each had a specific set of safety parameters to hit, and each an aggressive budget limit, so the engineering challenge was high. What was produced was a two-door car (previous cars were all four-door), that could withstand much greater impact than their predecessors. So the cars were safer, but they were also heavier. Too heavy, in fact; as much as 150-200kg overweight, depending on who you spoke to.

Rising costs