Mercedes unveil new 2012 DTM challenger

Mercedes will race their new C class Coupe in the 2012 DTM championship. They hope the car will build on the success they have already enjoyed in DTM. Versions of the C-Class have already  brought the company 84 victories from 156 races.

The first vehicle was completed in August and already complies with new safety regulations for 2012, which includes a high strength steel roll cage and a state of the art carbon fibre monocoque which incorporates a fire extinguisher and the fuel tank. Furthermore the vehicle incorporates six crash structures designed to gradually absorb energy.

DTM is an important marketing tool for Mercedes. Nearly 6000 hours of television coverage was shown worldwide in 2010, with the 500 horsepower cars being particularly popular in the championship’s native Germany.

Norbert Haug commented that the viewers will get „their money’s worth from a three way fight between Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the DTM next year“ as BMW announced their involvement.

The DTM AMG C-Class Coupe comes with a 500 horsepower 4 litre V8, which produces 500 Nm of torque. Performance is guarunteed by the 1050 kg kerb weight, slick tyres and 6 speed sequential gearbox.