Deutsche Tourenwagen Madness

If the new Audi A4 leaves you feeling just a bit, well, meh, may we recommend a revitalising pick-me-up in the shape of this: Mattias Ekstrom's new A4 DTM car.

The German touring cars are always impressive-looking beasts, but this takes it to a whole new level. Check out the mad aero around the front and rear arches. Check out the monster exhausts.

Admittedly, beyond the shape of the carbon-fibre bodyshell, the DTM car doesn't borrow much from the A4. There's a purpose-built hybrid chassis underneath, and a regulation four-litre V8 putting out some 460bhp.

Ekstrom - current DTM champ and winner of the Race of Champions in December - seems happy enough with his new company car. "If the new A4 DTM is as quick as it looks, then I'll be satisfied," he said.

If the new A4 DTM is as quick as it looks, expect to see substantial sections of dismembered tarmac around the race tracks of Germany this summer.