Opel Motorsport has announced its intentions to compete in the TCR series from 2016 onwards. The car will be based on the next generation Opel Astra ‘K’, which is set to make its public debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) this September.
Powered by a two-liter turbo-charged engine producing in the region of 330bhp and 410Nm, as per the TCR regulations, the car is undergoing development, with a full technical specification scheduled to be unveiled later in the year.
“Touring car racing has always been an important part of Opel. The philosophy of the new TCR series corresponds to our idea of customer racing. We want to give ambitious privately owned teams a platform for exciting sport at reasonable costs,” said Opel Group CMO Tina Müller.
“We are very pleased with Opel’s decision,” added TCR International Series promoter Marcello Lotti. “We knew they were seriously evaluating the TCR concept in the latest month, and now the announcement that the new Astra is being developed in TCR-specs makes us very proud and adds another premier automobile brand to the TCR world.”
Campos Racing currently fields a version of the current Astra in the TCR International Series with special dispensation. Much like the Audi TT, the car is allowed to compete despite its two-door configuration as the series’ technical regulations require cars have at least four doors.
