The BMW M3 DTM cars are set to take on their Audi and Mercedes Benz rivals for real and for the first time in just over two weeks at Hockenheim (on April 29), but the race cars first face off in this photo session from Media Day, where for the first time the final DTM cars were revealed together. This will be BMW’s first DTM race since October 11, 1992.

Subject to the same regulations, the three German marquees’ cars share similar general aero bits and styling, but each also maintains the essence of the respective models’ styling cues - grilles, lights, and the like.

And you haven’t heard or seen the M3 DTM cars in action, be sure to check out the videos we’ve reposted below. Photos … CONTINUED

The countdown is on: BMW Motorsport completes its final test before the DTM season-opener in Hockenheim. Watch the first extensive footage of the BMW M3 DTM race cars inside, together with interviews with the BMW DTM drivers prior to the first DTM race in 3 weeks.

Munich, 5th April 2012. With three weeks to go until the first race of the 2012 DTM season, BMW Motorsport has officially completed its test programme. From Monday to Thursday the three teams and their six drivers were hard at work at the Hockenheimring (DE), traditionally the venue of the opening round, which this year will get underway on 29th April 2012. This will be BMW’s first DTM race since 11th October 1992.

Over the last few days, all the BMW … CONTINUED

The 2012 BMW M3 DTM Safety Car was revealed last evening at the Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe’s “Ball des Sports” in Wiesbaden. It will serve as the safety car for the 2012 DTM European race series in which BMW will compete with its M3 DTM cars. Press release:

BMW Motorsport was a prominent feature in many regards at the Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe’s “Ball des Sports” on Saturday evening. The arrival of BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, along with BMW DTM drivers, Bruno Spengler (CA) and Dirk Werner (DE), was in keeping with the occasion: they and their partners pulled up to the Rhein-Main-Hallen in Wiesbaden (DE) in the new BMW M3 DTM Safety Car. Based on the BMW M3 GTS, the car was specially modified by … CONTINUED

BMW unveiled their new M3 DTM racer (with paint and sponsor colors!) to the public at the Essen Motor Show (Essen Germany) this past weekend. The show goes until December 4th, 2011. IF you are a “car nut” (aren’t we all!) you ought to go if you are in the area. Here are some pics of the new M3 DTM car and its rivals (past and future). BMW also had a nice display of their Performance Parts lineup.

Here is the first look at the BMW M3 DTM decked out in full M Performance gear. It was revealed this evening, two days prior to the car’s debut at the season ending DTM event at Hockenheim.

Speaking at the event, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, revealed that “The car’s aerodynamics were developed in close collaboration with the engineers from series production. The BMW Group boasts impressive resources in this field and the wind tunnels are ultra-modern. This – and the Title Partner BMW M Performance Accessories – shows that the entire company is behind the 2012 DTM project and is working hard towards it… Old-school DTM fans will recognize from the typical BMW M stripes that the appearance is based on the original BMW M3 cars … CONTINUED

Here is BMW’s official introduction video of the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car (official press release and info) which will make its appearance in race form for the first time during the 2012 DTM season next year.

The video shows scenes from last week’s unveiling at The Welt. It also traces BMW’s DTM roots - 11 successful years (which ended in 1992) during which BMW was champion 3 times, had 49 victories, and went to the podium over 150 times. Three models were in use, 635csi, 323i, and the M3.

As for performance, the 4.0L 480bhp V8 motor rockets the M3 DTM from 0-100km/h in 3 seconds. Top speed is 300km/h.

Here is a great set of photos from this past weekend’s DTM mega event at the Munich Olympic Stadium, as well as BMW’s reveal of the M3 DTM Concept Car at the BMW Welt.

Our member Dackelone got up close and personal with the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car at The Welt just a day after its official reveal. Inside are a great set of photos showing lots of the M3 DTM car’s large and finer deatils.