Photo: WTCC Media

Chevrolet begin work on 2012 engine step

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2011 World Touring Car Champions Chevrolet have begun development on the next progression of the 1.6 litre turbocharged engine introduced this season, as FIA WTCC regulations require that an engine must last the full year in 2012.

The team and its technical partner RML, which have won the last two drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in the WTCC, will begin work on the next phase of the engine which will be used by the Wellingborough-based Chevrolet factory team and the Silverstone-based independent bamboo-engineering outfit in the 2012 season.

“In 2011, we hit the track running and we were far ahead of the competition with our direct injection 1.6 litre engine,” said Chevrolet Europe Motorsport Manager Eric Nève.

“Following changes in the regulations, we will now be concentrating on ensuring endurance for the entire season,” added Nève.

In 2011, the turbocharged teams were only allowed one change of engine, which most teams undertook at Round 9 of the Championship at Valencia before the cars were shipped to Asia for the final three rounds in Japan, China & Macau – though no team changed their engines this season outside of the permitted exception of force majeure due to damage.

Chevrolet have had a strong 2011 season following on from an equally impressive 2010, with the US marque winning the Scandinavian, Hong Kong and World Touring Car driver titles with RML-developed Chevrolet touring cars.

“In my country we have a saying, ‘Win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ and this is because of the tremendous impact of motorsports on sales of our vehicles,” said Chevrolet Europe MD and President Wayne Brannon. “For next season, we will be more than happy to show the competition what our exhaust pipes look like.”