The BMW 3-Series is returning to the British Touring Car Championship as the automaker has announced the redesigned sedan will replace the 125i M Sport which has been competing since 2013.
Set to enter competition at Brands Hatch in April, the car is being billed as a “race-tuned 330i M Sport.” The company didn’t say much else about the race car, but the renderings suggest the model will have an aggressive front fascia, extended side skirts and center locking wheels. We can also see front fender vents, a rear wing and a roll cage.
There’s no word on performance specifications, but the standard 330i has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 255 hp (190 kW / 258 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. This enables the road-going model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.6 seconds.
A total of three cars will be fielded for the 2019 season and they will be driven by Andrew Jordan, Colin Turkington and Tom Oliphant. Expectations are pretty high as the 3-Series has racked up numerous awards in the BTCC including five driver’s titles and two manufacturers’ crowns between 1988 and 2009.
According to BMW UK CEO Graeme Grieve, “The BMW 3-Series has a rich and successful history competing in the BTCC and we are extremely proud to see that tradition continue. This all-new BMW 3-Series is the road-going dynamic benchmark and we have a great track record working with our partners at West Surrey Racing, so 2019 looks set to be a very exciting year for us in the BTCC.”
His sentiments were echoed by West Surrey Racing Team Principal Dick Bennetts who said, “We are delighted to be bringing the BMW 3 Series back to the BTCC.”
