"Racing against prestigious brands in DTM is an exciting way to raise the MG profile," said Rod Ramsay, managing director, sales & marketing, MG Rover. "We see the young audience that the series attracts as key to the growth of the marque across Europe."

David Sharples, director, MG Sport and Racing added: "DTM is a race series the public really connects with. It is a perfect opportunity for MG to showcase the racing qualities of its V8 muscle car, the ZT 260. We are delighted to be working with Oxfordshire based automotive technology specialists Zytek and are confident we will make a real impact in our first season."

The fast, furious and highly competitive series attracts top names such as ex Formula One drivers Mika Hakkinen, Jean Alesi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Allan McNish. Close racing, spectacular overtaking and tight championship battles will be seen by viewers in 175 countries, as well as attracting record numbers of trackside spectators. The 11 race series visits seven circuits in Europe, as well as Istanbul and for the first time, Brno in the Czech Republic.

Hockenheim will mark the return to a series in which great success was enjoyed in 1986. Driver Kurt Thiim won the championship amassing 130 points and collected three wins along the way. This time out, powered by V8 4.0 litre engines developing 500 bhp, the MG-Zytek team will race two MG ZTs.

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