1 of 200 made
Only 1200 miles - as new
M4 DTM CHAMPION editon
Overall history of the model
The BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition was built in 2017 to celebrate Marco Wittman's win of the drivers’ title in the previous year’s German Touring Car Championship. Only 200 of the DTM spec cars were ever produced and the car was only available in a fixed spec, painted in Alpine white and sporting a version of BMW’s motorsport livery.
The M4 DTM is an exclusive iteration of the already very limited edition BMW M4 GTS. A lightweight, high-powered, track-focused vehicle, it was BMW’s fastest production car at the time. Powered by a 3-litre twin-turbocharged S55 straight six engine producing 493bhp, the DTM goes from 0-62 in 3.8 seconds and can reach 190mph.
When describing the M4 DTM, BMW M division boss Frank van Meel said, “Never before has one of our edition models been so closely linked to motor racing”. Despite its obvious track focus, the car still has mod cons such as an entertainment system and air con. This is a road-going race car, completely at home on the track but comfortable enough to drive around town.
BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition Deep Dive
The name BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition may be quite a mouthful but this is quite a car! The M4 DTM was built to mark BMW driver Marco Wittman bagging the drivers’ title in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters—the DTM—at the Hockenheimring in 2016.
Produced in 2017, it was a very limited run (just 200) of the already limited edition M4 GTS. If you wanted the car in any colour other than Alpine White, you were out of luck. In fact you would probably have been lucky to get your hands on one at all: they sold out soon after BMW announced their manufacture.
The M4 DTM is technically identical to the M4 GTS, of which only 700 were produced. At the time the fastest production BMW had ever made, this was the ultimate M car.
Engine and performance
The car is powered by a 3-litre twin-turbocharged S55 straight six. This alone is impressive, however the BMW engineers developed a clever way of getting even more out of its already very powerful engine. The engine uses a water injection system that sprays a fine mist into the air chamber of the turbos, reducing intake temperatures to allow for higher pressures and more turbo boost.
All this results in an engine that produces 493bhp and 442lb-ft of torque. That’s 68bhp and 36lb-ft more than the standard M4! 0-62 comes in 3.8 seconds and the car, which has no limiter, will reach 190mph.
Exterior
Squarely aimed at the track, the M4 DTM is as lightweight as it is powerful. Both the roof and bonnet are carbon fibre, as are the aerodynamic elements of the car. There is a fully adjustable front splitter and rear diffuser as well as a large rear wing that generates considerable downforce. The addition of a titanium exhaust also saves 27kg over the standard M4.
Although it mimics the look of a German touring car, the DTM is also designed for the road. As such, the M4 DTM is equipped with LED headlights and, for the first time on any production car, OLED tail lights.
Interior
Inside the cabin, it certainly feels like a race car. A roll cage replaces the rear seats and the front seats are carbon fibre buckets. That said, there is some luxury. The sports steering wheel, seats and dash are all trimmed in Alcantara. There’s sat nav and an entertainment system. The DTM even has air con and central locking. A track weapon it might be but it also has the comforts you’d expect from a BMW.
Drive
Being a track-focused high performance car, the M4 DTM is designed around the mantra of more agility and power, less weight. It’s 27kg lighter than the standard M4. The alloy wheels, 19” on the front and 20” on the back, are dressed in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. The steering is sharp and responsive. Around the corners the grip is astounding thanks to the uncompromising, fully adjustable coilover sports suspension. You can brake late into the corners due to the large carbon ceramic brakes, which don’t fade and have great stopping power. The sound from the engine is fantastic with the titanium exhaust system howling, spitting and gurgling through the four tailpipes.
The M4 DTM is a savage and engaging car that wants to be driven hard; it just pulls and pulls. Flick the paddle shift and the 7-speed adjustable dual clutch gearbox lays the power down through the rear wheels. The DTM will accelerate steadily up to 4,000rpm, at which point the power delivery really kicks in and the fun begins.
There’s no doubt that this is more a race car than a grand tourer, and it’s sublime on the track. The ride is firm but not uncomfortable. You’ll have no qualms about taking it on the motorway to get to your local track, or indeed heading to Germany for the weekend!