BMW DTM drivers visit BMW Plant Leipzig – Maiden outing in BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

Oschersleben (DE), 13th September 2013. The BMW DTM drivers stopped in at BMW Plant Leipzig (DE) on their way to the eighth race of the DTM season in Oschersleben (DE). Bruno Spengler (CA), Dirk Werner (DE), Augusto Farfus (BR), Joey Hand (US), Martin Tomczyk (DE), Andy Priaulx (GB), Marco Wittmann (DE) and Timo Glock (DE) started their visit with an autograph session. Hundreds of BMW employees took the opportunity to meet and have their photo taken with the drivers.

The next highlight was a guided tour of the production facility for the BMW cars of tomorrow, the BMW i3 and the BMW i8. BMW i is all about visionary mobility concepts and a new interpretation of premium characteristics, with a strong focus on sustainability. The all-electric driven BMW i3 and plug-in hybrid sports car BMW i8 are built on the new assembly line in Leipzig. “It was really fascinating to get an insight into the technology of the future,” said Farfus. “BMW is setting new benchmarks with these visionary cars. Sooner or later, this technology will undoubtedly make its way into motorsport.”

A very special surprise awaited Farfus and his fellow DTM drivers at the end of what was a hugely successful day. They were taken to the plant’s own test site, where they were allowed to climb behind the wheel of a BMW i8 and take it for a spin. Thanks to the perfect synchronisation of electric and combustion engines, this is the first thoroughbred sports car with the same consumption and emission values as a compact car.

The DTM stars were fascinated by the car’s unique driving qualities. “It was exciting and interesting to drive this car. I was very impressed by the performance and acceleration,” said Glock after his test drive. “The electric and combustion engines work together perfectly. The technology used in the BMW i models is certainly ahead of its time. BMW has once again emphatically demonstrated its innovative prowess.”

This weekend, the eight BMW DTM drivers will be back on the racetrack in their BMW M3 DTMs at the “Motorsport Arena” in Oschersleben, about 150 kilometres from Leipzig. As the race for the titles in the Drivers’, Team and Manufacturers’ Championships reaches its climax, BMW Motorsport is looking for a repeat of last year’s success, when Spengler won the race in the Magdeburger Börde region of Germany. 

About the DTM.
The German Touring Car Masters – DTM for short – is the most popular touring car series in the world. Last season, over 650,000 spectators flocked to renowned racetracks in Germany and around Europe to watch the ten races live. The series pits the three premium automobile manufacturers BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz against each other in a sporting contest. BMW fielded its first works teams from 1984 to 1992, during which time it claimed 49 race victories and won the Drivers’ Championship on three occasions (1984, 1987 and 1989). In 2012, the manufacturer returned to the DTM with the BMW M3 DTM, three teams and six drivers. BMW promptly won five races and topped the driver, team and manufacturer standings at the end of the season. 

The 2013 DTM calendar once again consists of ten races. The schedule includes four trips abroad, to Brands Hatch (GB), Spielberg (AT), Moscow (RU) and Zandvoort (NL). The season traditionally ends in Hockenheim (DE) on 20th October. This season sees BMW line up with an even stronger contingent of four teams and eight drivers. The car charged with defending the team’s hat-trick of titles is once again the BMW M3 DTM. TV station ARD is broadcasting each qualifying (from 14:30) and every race (from 13:15) live. Tickets for all the DTM races are available here: http://www.bmw-motorsport.com/en/fan-area/dtm-tickets.html