Photo: RML Group

RML releases artist’s impression of its new Chevrolet Cruze

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RML have released an artist’s impression of what its new TC1-class Chevrolet Cruze World Touring Car could look like when it hits the track in March in testing, ahead of the first round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Morocco.

The Wellingborough-based team, which has won the drivers’ title for the past four seasons, three with factory support from Chevrolet, and then last year as an independent, are constructing six cars for customer programmes for the 2014 season. Two are destined for the Campos Racing team, to be driven by Hugo Valente and Dusan Borkovic, and two more for Roberto Ravaglia’s ROAL Motorsport outfit, with drivers Tom Coronel and Tom Chilton. The two final customers are still to be announced.

The car will be powered by an evolution of the RML Global Racing Engine, which was developed for the 2011 season and has won 55 of the 72 races that have taken place since the new 1.6 turbo engine formula was introduced.

The first customer, Campos Racing, will receive the first delivery of the new TC1-class Chevrolet Cruze in mid-March, which is being built from the ground up to meet the new regulations.

Citroën Racing’s C-Elysée challenger has already been testing since last July, and Honda’s new Civic had its first shakedown last week, with the WTCC’s third manufacturer, Lada, expected to commence testing next month with its new Granta.

“We’re making very good progress on this project,” said Ron Hartvelt, RML’s Director of Motorsport. “Our manufacturing and build crews are incredibly busy and we’ve taken on additional support staff for these important next few weeks as we complete our build plan.

“Everything is running to schedule on both chassis and powertrain; we just have to complete our final step on the design phase with componentry and then we’re straight into build and installation.

“As always, we have a very dedicated, hard-working group at RML working on this project and we all look forward to seeing the new Cruze come to fruition when it takes to the track.”