BMW could run all cars on diesel in Mexico

BMW is looking set to launch a major diesel-assault on the World Touring Car Championship 2008. The spark that lit the “diesel-fight” in WTCC was SEAT launching their TDi-model at the Anderstorp round. TouringCarTimes has received information that BMW is planning to run all five factory cars on diesel, starting from the second race of the season in Mexico.

The German manufacturer has done quite some testing with the diesel car already, but will not launch the new engine until the second race to get even more testing time.

According to our information the diesel car was over a second per lap faster compared to the petrol version during testing before christmas. Dirk Müller and Augusto Farfus were behind the wheel of the cars during the tests.

A brand new six speed gearbox is developed for the diesel car. During the testing a more conventional six speed h-gearbox was used, German newspaper Motorsport Aktuell reported. Most likely the diesel cars will be fitted with a sequential gearbox when used in WTCC.

But BMW is still awaiting the final decision from FIA and the WTCC organisers regarding the recently announced turbo boost limitations. If no major restrictions are made, BMW are planning to fly over five brand new diesel cars for the factory teams Schnitzer, ROAL and RBM to the second race at Puebla.