The new turbo era in the DTM has begun. Following a successful rollout, the new BMW M4 DTM for the 2019 season has made its racetrack debut. BMW M Motorsport completed the first winter test with the next generation BMW M4 DTM modified to meet Class 1 regulations at Estoril (POR) this week.
The two BMW DTM drivers, Bruno Spengler (CAN) and Marco Wittmann (GER), took it in turns behind the wheel during the three days of testing.
The core of the BMW M4 DTM modified to meet Class 1 regulations is the newly developed and extremely efficient two-litre turbo engine. The cooling system was also modified for the new unit. The regulations provide for changes in some areas of the aerodynamics in addition. BMW M Motorsport used the test in Portugal to evaluate these innovations on the racetrack for the first time, thereby gathering important information for further preparations for the upcoming season.
āThe initial test days with the new BMW M4 DTM with a turbo engine were so much fun,ā said Spengler. āIt is also very interesting for us as drivers to be involved in the development of a new DTM racing car. I have been driving DTM cars with V8 engines for 14 years, and this was the first time that Iāve been on the racetrack with a four-cylinder turbo engine. This is totally new to me and is so much fun. The car feels great and I am looking forward to the next tests.ā
āThe car feels really cool when youāre driving it and it is so much fun,ā confirmed Wittmann. āYou really can feel the performance and the torque of the new engine and the modified aerodynamics mean that the car behaves differently. Iām overwhelmingly positive after the initial test and I think that the fans really have something to look forward to. From the outside you can clearly tell that the cars are much faster than last year. This will definitely make for more of a spectacle. And I can reassure the fans: the sound remains as great as ever. Personally, I prefer it to the previous engines. It sounds a little different, but it is neither quiet nor bad. I like it and I think that the fans will as well. The changes to the cars for 2019 are definitely positive, and I enjoyed being in the car for the initial test and preparing the car for the season with the engineers and mechanics.ā
The next test drives with the new BMW M4 DTM are scheduled for 10thĀ and 11thDecember at Jerez, Spain.
