BMW launches new M3 DTM in Munich, naming Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus as drivers

The car, which is built to the championship's all-new, low-cost technical regulations, will mark the German manufacturer's return to the series after a 20-year absence.

BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt, who succeeded Mario Theissen in the role recently, said that the car shown was still a long way from being the finished article, however.

"Getting a new racing programme up and running is a bit like doing a jigsaw," he said. "New pieces are added almost every day, and we must put them together to create the big picture.

"The BMW M3 DTM Concept Car is an important milestone on our route to the start of the 2012 season. The roll-out of the car [earlier this month] was successful, and we are now starting our test programme out on the track.

"Drivers Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus are also involved and will form part of our driving line-up in 2012. Their impressive performances in touring car and GT racing make them ideally suited to the DTM, and we are sure they will leave their mark on this series too.

"It is obviously just as important to have strong partners on board, and we were able to present some of them today. The pieces are fitting together perfectly, so we can definitely say: our preparations for the 2012 season are going according to plan."

Three teams will represent BMW in the series next year; long-term partner outfits RBM and Schnitzer plus new squad Team RMG.

Drivers Priaulx and Farfus both have a strong pedigree in touring cars, with the former having won three World Touring Car titles and one European crown. Both currently race factory BMWs in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.