Thiessen: “The problem with diesel is turbo”

The big talk in the World Touring Car Championship at the moment is if or when BMW will enter a diesel. The German manufacturer have confirmed that they are working on the engine and it has been tested in the current specification of their WTCC-racer. But BMW Motorsport-boss Mario Thiessen says it is up to the FIA if the BMW WTCC-diesel ever will se the light of day.
“It depends on the FIA whether we bring a diesel. It may be that you will never see it,” said Thiessen to Motorsport Aktuell.

Recently the FIA Touring Car Bureau changed the diesel rules. The major change was that the rev limit was set to 4.100 revs. But this is not enough according to Thiessen.

“It is not enough to limit the revs. This only affects the top speed, but not the acceleration. This can only be done though a combination of regulating the lambda and turbo pressure,” said Thiessen.

The staff at BMW Motorsport are currently evaluating the recent rule changes for the diesel cars. For Thiessen the main problem is the fact that a turbo is allowed.

“Our people are in the process of calculating if the new rev limit is enough. For me this is more of a problem with the turbo it self. With a turbo there is always more room for development compared to a normally aspirated engine,” said Thiessen.

The race at Valencia this weekend will according to Thiessen give a good value if the changes will make a difference or not.

“Valencia will for sure make the situation clearer. If we are not pleased after the race we will talk to the FIA again,” said Thiessen.