BMW 320si WTCC
After the successful revival of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) last year, the series enters its second season in 2006.
1987 and 2005 saw the world's best touring car drivers vying for the crown in this racing discipline, and on each occasion it was a BMW driver who swept up the world championship title. Following in the tyre tracks of Roberto Ravaglia (ITA), who prevailed 19 years ago driving a BMW M3, Andy Priaulx (GBR) mounted the top step of the podium at the end of last year's season. But that wasn't all: BMW also managed to secure the manufacturers' title with the BMW 320i, while BMW privateer driver Marc Hennerici (GER) took the Independents Trophy.
This raft of triumphs marked the end of the unique career of the BMW 320i touring car, and a highly promising successor is already waiting in the wings: the BMW 320si. BMW Motorsport's engineers developed this compelling race car - driven by a four-cylinder engine with around 275 bhp - on the basis of the production model of the same name. The BMW 320si, available in a limited edition of 2,600 roadgoing cars, provided the developers with an excellent basis on which to build a powerful race version.
"I am convinced the BMW 320si will carry on the BMW success story in touring car racing", says BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. This year's WTCC should prove even more exciting than in 2005. There are new manufacturers involved, the field of participants will expand further and there are some new venues in the calendar. Overall, the World Touring Car Championship offers everything a race series needs. With our three national teams and the new BMW 320si, we are in a good position to be up there with the front-runners again."
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