It's been less than two weeks since Mercedes-Benz->ke187 unveiled the new 2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe, and Stuttgart has already announced that a new DTM car based on the new two-door is underway. The race car->ke148 will be ready just in time for the 2016 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season as a competitor for the updated 2014 BMW M4 DTM and 2014 Audi RS5 DTM.

The new Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM is set to replace the current 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Coupe DTM, which the Germans have been using since 2012, when regulations changed to allow coupes instead of sedans.

"The new Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe will again set new standards for driving dynamics and design. So, the vehicle provides the ideal basis for our DTM car,” said head of Mercedes-AMG DTM, Ulrich Fritz. "I’m already looking forward to seeing the new Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM compete in 2016. Our aim with this vehicle is, of course, to continue the Mercedes-Benz success story in the DTM."

The first tests with the new vehicle will take place this upcoming winter, which means we could see it in action by the end of 2015. The 2016 DTM season commences in May. For now, Mercedes-Benz has only released a handful of photos of the car. Find out more below.

Updated 09/22/2015: We’ve added a series of new photos we took at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Find them in the "Pictures" tab.

Continue reading to learn more about it.

Exterior

Much like the current model, the 2016 AMG C63 DTM looks like a C63 Coupe on steroids, packed with all the aero-enhancing features seen on recent DTM cars. More than two decades ago DTM-spec cars looked similar to their road-going siblings, but those times are long gone and today's racers share only a few exterior features with the factory cars. As expected, the 2016 model comes with massively flared wheel arches and fenders, a big front splitter flanked by protruding bumper canards, a vented hood and enlarged side skirts, which also feature two pairs of upswept canards. Around back it displays a new diffuser design, a pair of large intakes behind each wheel, a large wing, and a trunk-lid spoiler. Unlike the front fascia, the rear retains quite a few features from the standard car, including the taillights, the trunk lid, and the upper half of the bumper.

Although the presentation car is finished in dark-grey with yellow stripes and only a handful of sponsor decals, the actual race cars will hit the track in various liveries and with significantly more sponsor logos attached to them.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

Though Mercedes had nothing to say about the car's interior, it is expected to use a carbon-fiber monocoque and a roll cage made of high-strength steel. Much like its predecessor, it should have its fire extinguishing system and fuel tank incorporated into the monocoque for improved safety. Each vehicle will also be equipped with carbon-fiber crash structures designed to gradually absorb impact energy, so that the driver is not exposed to high deceleration forces. Safety systems aside, the AMG C63 DTM will employ a stripped out interior with a bucket driver's seat, a race-spec, multi-function steering wheel, a new display, and various carbon-fiber components.

Drivetrain

Since DTM's technical regulations remained unchanged for the 2016 season, the AMG C63 DTM kept the same engine as the outgoing car. The V-8 engines displaces exactly 4.0 liters and use Mahle pistons, Bosch Motronic engine management, fuel injection, and dry sump lubrication. Output sits at 483 horsepower and 368 pound-feet (500 Nm) of torque, which are sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed, transverse-mounted gearbox pneumatically operated by a sequential gear shifter on steering wheel. Maximum speed and revs are set at 168 mph and 9,000 rpm, respectively, while charging from 0 to 60 mph should take significantly less than four seconds, given the car tips the scales at around 2,500 pounds including the driver.

Though the 4.0-liter V-8 configuration is identical to AMG's new powerplant introduced with the Mercedes-AMG GT->ke4853 sports car->ke506, Stuttgart can't use it in DTM since the series doesn't allow turbocharging or supercharging.

Drivetrain Specifications

Competition

2014 BMW M4 DTM

BMW->ke178 started using the M4->ke4183 in DTM in 2014, when the moniker replaced the M3->ke2366 Coupe name for road cars. In its first year on the track, the M4 won both the driver's championship with Marco Wittmann and the team championship with BMW Team RMG, but failed to clinch the manufacturers' title, finishing second behind Audi->ke14. In 2015, BMW has had a less successful season, scoring only two wins in 12 events so far, falling behind both Audi and Mercedes-Benz in the manufacturers' championship. For 2016, the Germans will probably use a mildly updated version of the current M4, as the road-legal coupe->ke141 is still at least a couple of years away from a redesign.

Find out more about the BMW M4 DTM in our full review here.

2014 Audi RS5 DTM

The RS5->ke2628 began its career as a DTM racer in 2013, replacing the A5. The coupe won both the drivers' and team championships in its first season -- with Mike Rockenfeller and Audi Sport Team Phoenix, respectively -- and cliched the manufacturers' title the next year. In 2015, Audi is leading both the driver and manufacturer standings with six races to go. Much like BMW, Audi will also return with a mildly updated RS5 for the 2016 season, as the next-generation coupe has yet to be unveiled.

Read more about the Audi RS5 DTM here.

Brief Mercedes-Benz C-Class DTM History

Mercedes' entire DTM history is linked to the C-Class->ke1593. Originally, the Germans fielded AMG-modified versions of the 190E, also known as the W201 or "Baby Benz." When the 190 road car was replaced by the W202-generation C-Class, the latter received its very own DTM upgrade, becoming the first C-Class to compete in the series. Since the DTM was reestablished in 2000, Mercedes has used the CLK->ke537 (2000-2003), the C-Class Sedan (2004-2011), and the C-Class Coupe (2012-2015). Since 2000, the C-Class has secured 85 victories in 159 races, becoming the most successful car in DTM history. Since 1984, the Germans have won 10 driver championships and 14 manufacturer titles.

Conclusion

Mercedes' latest DTM championship dates back to 2010, and Stuttgart's recent results in the series have been rather disappointing, finishing last in the manufacturers' championship from 2012 to 2014. Although the 2015 is still underway and Mercedes could defeat Audi for the first time in five years, Stuttgart may have to wait a bit longer to celebrate. The new AMG C63 Coupe could give Mercedes that opportunity, thanks to its new design and enhanced aerodynamics, but we won't find out until the coupe hits the track in 2016.

Updated History

Update 09/04/2015: Mercedes-Benz just unveiled the 2016 C63 AMG DTM.