Hybrid BTCC car begins testing
British touring cars will be electrified from 2022 - here's the first look
It was 2018 that the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship first announced that the series would move to hybrid cars from 2022; at the end of last year the push-to-pass system was fleshed out with some more detail - a 15-second boost of around 40hp, available only under full traction - and now testing has commenced. The hybrid touring car era looms ever closer...
With the championship out in force for a pre-season test at Snetterton this week - the 2020 campaign kicks off at Donington on August 1st - it was time for the Cosworth-developed TOCA Hybrid car to get out on circuit. Driven by TOCA development driver Darren Turner, the Speedworks BTCC Toyota Corolla was said to complete "solid mileage" around the 300 circuit in both wet and dry conditions across two days. Turner said of the hybridised racer: "We have regularly deployed the system on-track and it works really well - it will undoubtedly add an extra and exciting dimension to both the defensive and attacking aspects of the racing." Given how action packed BTCC already tends to be, there's the potential here for even more drama with hybrid cars - which sounds like a good thing.
Cosworth is of course the perfect partner to develop the hybrid system, having been involved with the BTCC for 20 years providing electronics solutions. Come 2022 there will be a whole new generation of electronics to accompany the electrification, also from Cosworth. Its Electronics Head of Support, Neal Bateman, said the test went "extremely well", adding that, post-Snetterton, "we look forward to making more progress over the coming weeks."
Final word should go to Alan Gow, BTCC chief exec: "This is obviously just the start of the extensive programme ahead, prior to the full introduction of hybrid technology into the BTCC in 2022, but Cosworth, Speedworks and all of the technical partners involved should be congratulated for the professionalism, expertise and efficiency shown." Expect the testing regime to continue during this year, and ramp up during 2021 ahead of the introduction across the grid the season after. When, presumably, the notion of behind-closed-doors motorsport will be nothing but a distant memory. Will you be clamouring for a look at electrified touring cars? Or is the BTCC entertaining enough for as is? The floor is yours...
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