Diesel claims another category: BMW building a diesel engine for the WTCC
In only its second WTCC race, the diesel-engined Seat Leon TDI came in first -- in front of its gas-powered Leon sibling. The diesel car only entered the series in July, yet it won three races and the driver was in championship contention up until the final race. BMW didn't need any more impetus than that to start planning its own turbocharged diesel engine program for the race series.
Surprisingly, though, BMW's head of motorsport, Mario Thiessen, doesn't think diesel is the way to go, citing the time it takes to really develop an engine and sort it out. But what's really at issue for him is the lack of clear parity in the WTCC, with different chassis, engine sizes and outputs, and now, different fuel types. He would rather see a situation more like Formula 1, with regulations that mandate more equalization.
Nevertheless, BMW has a very highly regarded diesel engine to start with. And if the WTCC engineers have decided to work on a diesel engine in spite of the boss' hesitations, then they'll want to do a very good job of it. We've seen Le Mans conquered by oil burners -- is the WTCC next?
[Source: Auto Racing Daily]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zane 10:50AM (11/26/2007)
Damn! That E90 looks amazing!
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Mike 10:57AM (11/26/2007)
Yeah I wanna see a E92 M3 in that paint scheme.
BTW Zane love your icon ha ha, big MoS fan.
Mark 11:35AM (11/26/2007)
there's a diesel 1 series in the BTCC and it's well, rubbish, it's a 120d i believe and is slow as hell
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ziomal 11:41AM (11/26/2007)
Very good web page on BMW
http://bmw.resmoto.com
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nagmashot 1:24PM (11/26/2007)
since years they race the 24h at the Nürburgring with diesel category ... and just for the record.. BMW was the first manufactor winning a race with a diesel powered car...
In 1998 a 320d diesel powered touring car won the 24h...
the BMW e36 320d touring car from 1998..
http://www.thomas-gersch.de/History/Bilder/History_320d_Motor_gr.jpg
http://www.thomas-gersch.de/History/Bilder/History_320d_gr.jpg
since 2006 BMW sells 120d 245hp race cars to private teams...
http://www.thomas-gersch.de/History/Bilder/120d_kundensport_p0025067-b.jpg
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mattypape 5:53PM (11/26/2007)
I think the last thing wtcc needs is more strict regulations to make it like f1. f1 is far to over governed in my opinion, it seems to hold back inovation in the sport.
Nice car though, and hurray for diesel!!
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