BMW Oz secures 10 M4 DTM specials

BMW Australia has snaffled five per cent of the 200-unit global production run allocated for the M4 DTM Champion Edition, with 10 of the motorsport-themed coupes confirmed for release here.

Each will be priced at $295,000 plus on-road costs – almost double the price of the standard M4 Coupe ($149,615) but lineball with the M4 GTS on which it's based – and all vehicles will come with a signed commemorative plaque.

As we reported in October, the move follows the sell-out local success of the M4 GTS and those Aussies that missed out on the GTS will be given first dibs on the DTM <<<< /bmw-m4-dtm-champion-edition-likely-for-australia-104255 >>>>.

BMW Group Australia CEO Marc Werner said the coup in securing 10 of the most exclusive (and expensive) M4s ever produced – to celebrate Marco Wittman’s 2016 DTM (German touring car) championship -- again demonstrates how far above its weight the local BMW M market fights globally.

“Securing five per cent of the M4 DTM Champion Edition’s global allocation is an honour for BMW in this country,” he said. “It once again proves the popularity of M Division product Down Under.

“On the back of the sold-out M4 GTS, the M4 DTM Champion Edition offers similar racetrack-inspired performance with further exclusivity, and is a fitting tribute to Marco’s achievements.”

As BMW fans will know, the M4 DTM is an even more exclusive version of the GTS, powered by an upgraded version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six in the standard M4 that now delivers a wholesome 368kW of power and no less than 600Nm of torque.

That's 51kW and 50Nm more than standard and, combined with a seven-speed M dual-clutch automatic transmission as standard, allows the DTM to hit 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and a limited top speed of 305km/h, while combined fuel consumption remains restrained at 8.5L/100km.

Like the GTS, it employs a water-injected cooling system that sprays water mist to lower induction temperatures, permitting higher turbo boost pressure and more extreme ignition timing.

Indeed, the biggest difference is an Alpine White paint scheme inspired by BMW's GTM racer, including M striping on the body sides and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof. There's also a CFRP front splitter, mirror caps, side skirts, rear diffuser, boot-lid spoiler and, like the GTS, bonnet.

Also borrowed from the GTS is a lighter and more "raucous" titanium quad-exhaust system, adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam and OLED tail-lights.

The M4 DTM rides on staggered wheel sizes, with Orbit Grey matte painted 666 M’ star-spoke alloy wheels measuring 19-inch up front and 20-inch at the rear and wearing 265/35/19 front and 285/30/20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

There's three-way adjustable M coilover suspension fitted with remote reservoirs, which can be adjusted for low- and high-speed bump, as well as rebound, via the supplied tool kit.

Other features unique to the two-seat DTM include a white roll cage, fire extinguisher, Alcantara trim for the steering wheel and most of the interior, and a pair of thin-shelled M front bucket seats (the rear seats have been removed) with six-point harnesses.

Road-going luxuries extend to BMW’s iDrive and Professional Navigation System, air-conditioning, front/rear parking sensors, auto-dimming interior/exterior mirrors, head-up display, tyre pressure monitoring and the full suite of ConnectedDrive services.