When glanced at from the rear, the Audi A4 DTM has no legible difference to tell it apart from its A4 2.0T sibling. However, the hawk-eyed will soon discern the two minuscule Audi-discreet logos this German manufacturer always seems to apply to its performance cars. And where are they placed? Just ahead of the rear wheel arches, so that perhaps you don't see them. But that's Audi. It's all about understatement.

Those other differences the hawkeyed will notice are aggressive 15-spoke cast aluminium wheels on wide rubber, two neat air-vent outlets just behind and at the lower end of the rear wheel arch, and the twin exhaust tailpipes. More aggressive air vents at the front and the rear taillights are also telltale changes as well as front and rear bumpers with the DTM look with a carbon fibre spoiler lip. The cabin is also upgraded to be sportier with a handsome 3-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel, electrically-adjustable Recaro sports seats, door sill trims with the DTM logo and flared sills.

But the true difference is felt when you drive the DTM. This is an A4 to water your mouth. But what was puzzling was the way in which it achieved its truly impressive performance results. Normally, with true high performance engines, I soon get the feel as to how quick the car will be, by just feel and sound. The DTM proved totally different in this respect ? in fact, the results seemed out of kilter.

At 6.5 seconds for the zero to 100 sprint I had to check carefully to see I had not erred in some way. That was until I compared the figures of the Audi A4 TT 1.8T Coupe. In fact the two siblings returned the same exit speeds at the end of the quarter mile and almost identical elapsed times ? this even though the TT has slightly better power to weight ratio.

The engine's outputs are linear, well indicating the 2.0-litre TFSI's advanced levels of technology. In fact one of the more interesting of these was the table-to-peak rev limit of between 5900 and 6100rpm at which it develops its peak power, and something out of the ordinary.

Road-feel and road holding was another surprise. No doubt the S-line sports suspension, which has been lowered by 33mm and further tweaked to take the increase in power and performance, work well. Tautness of suspension is a must to achieve positive, crisp handling and something most Audis suffered from and an area in which cars like the Subaru WRX proved more accomplished with.

The Audi A4 DTM (Deutsche Touring Car Masters) well mirrors its championship heritage and something the German manufacturer with its long competition heritage should long ago have offered. The idea of purchasing an over-the-counter race-based car is close to hordes of enthusiasts and interested buyers. An indication of this is that all the hundred models imported have already found buyers.