After pulling from the series in 1992, BMW has announced a tentative return to the DTM touring-car series in 2012. BMW is planning to build a new race car based on the current M3 – which would ideally also be able to run in Japan’s Super GT series and the American Grand-Am series.

The BMW race car must meet certain unspecified regulations and if it does so, will see BMW take on German rivals Audi and Mercedes – which are currently the only two manufacturers in the series. Back in 1992, BMW pulled out of the DTM series due to a dispute over its E36 3-Series race car. Before that, BMW won the DTM Championship three times, once in 1987 and once in 1989 with the original E30 3 Series and once back in 1984 with the 635CSi.

BMW board member Dr. Klaus Draeger commented that with the withdrawal from Formula One, BMW has decided to make an increased presence in road racing. “BMW sports and touring cars have achieved success right around the world, and have significantly influenced the brand’s sporting profile right from the word go. For that reason, we see it as a consistent step to return to our roots after bidding farewell to Formula One, and to expand our commitment to this discipline.”

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen commented that the M3 GT2 (above) currently used in several series (including the American Le Mans Series) will continue to be the focus on the BMW motorsports program next year.

Official release after the jump:

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These are the photos BMW doesn’t want you to see and thanks to the folks at Bimmerpost we have them to share. What exactly we are looking at is still a mystery, but the consensus seems to be that whatever it is, it looks amazing.

There are two strong possibilities for the vehicle, the first being that it’s BMW’s upcoming Sustainable Sports Car Concept, the second that it is a version of the upcoming 6 Series.

BMW board member Dr Klaus Draeger already said that the company would debut a “green” vehicle, dubbed the Sustainable Sports Car Concept, at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. This vehicle will be the embodiment of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics philosophy, using numerous fuel-saving technologies (like electric power steering, regenerative braking and a stop/start system).

It’s also appears to share a resemblance to the M1 Homage that was rumored to be the design inspiration for an upcoming “green” sports car.

Bimmerpost forum member (and presumed BMW insider) Scott26, seems to indicate that the car is a concept of the upcoming 6 Series.

Either way, we can’t wait to see more of it in Frankfurt.

GALLERY: Mystery BMW Concept

[Source: e90post.com]

What’s the best way to get people to stop talking about how much of a failure you were in Formula One? Why, announce that you’re building an environmentally responsible sports car, of course!

That seems to be the public relations campaign being waged by BMW today as BMW board member Dr Klaus Draeger reportedly told AutoTelegraf that the German automaker is working on a sustainable sports car concept that will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this Fall.

Rumors of such a vehicle first came to light several months ago when a BMW insider said that the company was working on an environmentally-friendly vehicle in keeping with some of the designs from the BMW M1 Homage (pictured above).

Earlier today BMW announced that it was pulling out of Formula One, citing several reasons, including the cost and the team’s lack of success. In a press release BMW also said that “Resources freed up as a result are to be dedicated to the development of drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability.”

BMW’s efficient sports car concept will be the technical inspiration for future BMWs and take the automaker’s Efficient Dynamics philosophy to new levels. It will incorporate technologies like an auto start/stop system, electric power steering and even use regenerative braking. As a concept we’d look for even more green technology, like a hybrid powertrain.

The car’s “green” aspects won’t be limited to the engine either as both the interior and body of the car are likely to be made of sustainable materials.

Some related rumors point to BMW offering a limited edition coupe in 2012 with all of the company’s green technologies. That may not come to fruition, but we do expect sustainable sports car’s innovations to trickle on down through the BMW lineup in the near future.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

Chris Bangle, the man behind the controversial BMW designs over the last several decades has announced he is leaving his post at BMW after 17 years. Bangle became the Director of the BMW Design Group in 1992 and has since become one of the world’s most famous infamous automotive designers.

Under Bangle’s leadership BMW has produced many new designs including the BMW Z3, BMW Z4, BMW X5, BMW Z8, BMW X3, the new BMW 6 Series, the BMW X6 and the BMW 1 Series. Bangle’s design department also developed the designs for the new MINI and the Rolls-Royce Phantom (at least he got one of them right). Bangle will more likely be remembered for the drastic new direction that he took vehicles like the BMW 7 and 5 Series in. He is also responsible for several new 3 Series designs.

Bangle will be replaced by Adrian van Hooydonk, the currently Head of BMW Automobile Design, who Bangle has worked with for the past 17 years.

“Christopher Bangle has had a lasting impact on the identity of BMW Group’s brands. His contribution to the company’s success has been decisive, and together with his teams he has mapped out a clear and aesthetic route into the future,” said Dr Klaus Draeger, BMW AG’s Board Member for Development.

Bangle has announced that he will not only be leaving BMW but the automotive industry in general, to pursue alternate design interests. He has stated, however, that he intends to keep close ties to BMW.

Caption: Adrian van Hooydonk

Bangle describes his replacement at “truly a top professional in our business,” adding that, “I am sure that the many strong design strategies he has helped us create for the BMW Group will continue to develop and evolve.”

Van Hooydonk, 44, was born in the Netherlands, studied at Delft Polytechnic University in Holland and at the Art Center Europ in Vevey, Switzerland, until 1992 when he went to work for BMW. In 2000 he went to California to work at BMW’s Designworks USA offices. He then was promoted to Head of the Brand Design Studio for BMW Automobiles. In his new position he will be responsible for design development for the BMW, Rolls-Royce and MINI brands.

His influence is already obvious on the 6 Series and 7 Series and he was highly involved in the Z9 concept car, the M1 Hommage and the stunning BMW Concept CS.

“I am honoured and extremely excited to take on this new responsibility“, said van Hooydonk. “BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce produce the best cars and motorcycles in their segment, and I am really looking forward to being able to contribute to the future development of these brands. I have no doubt that there are challenges ahead, but BMW’s depth in engineering and the passion of its talented design team are as strong as ever. Together I am sure we will be able to create some very sophisticated and extremely attractive concepts.”

Official release after the jump:

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