More power, more action

The DTM is forging new paths in 2017: new cars, new regulations, and new team structures promise to provide a feast of excitement and action in the 18 races that make up the new season. MAHLE Motorsport continues to support BMW Motorsport as Official Partner in a cooperation that is now in its sixth year. The shared goal: title defence.

When the first race of the DTM season gets underway in Hockenheim on 6th May, the three manufacturers, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, will field 18 newly-developed cars. Modifications to the engines mean the DTM cars will generate more than 500 hp in 2017, giving the drivers an extra boost of power.

Back in 2012, BMW Motorsport joined forces with the development engineers and technicians at MAHLE Motorsport to find ways to make the highly-developed BMW V8 engines even more efficient and powerful. MAHLE components, such as forged pistons, piston pins and rings, circlips, crankshaft bearing shells and the water pump, all play their part in BMW Motorsport’s success in the DTM.

As well as modified engines, the 2017 generation of DTM cars, including the new BMW M4 DTM, also feature completely new aerodynamic concepts. These include a complete overhaul of the way the adjustable rear wing operates, in order to make overtaking easier.

The tyres are also completely new and grip levels deteriorate faster. To take the increased tyre wear into account, there will be a mandatory pit stop in both the Sunday and the Saturday race in 2017. Both races are 55 minutes long.

BMW Motorsport is working with just two works teams in 2017, having reduced its number of cars from eight to six. The 2017 DTM season comprises nine race weekends, with two races at each. As is tradition, the opening round and the finale both take place in Hockenheim.