Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota Avensis showcases new BTCC regulations

Turbocharged Toyota Avensis touring car previews new BTCC regulations at Brands Hatch

Toyota Avensis BTCC racing car

Toyota’s Avensis showcased the next generation of touring car to fans at the BTCC’s season finale at Brands Hatch on October 2010.  The Avensis has been built up to Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) spec. The new regulations see the return of turbocharged engines to the series, and have been brought in as part of an effort to reduce competition costs and encourage teams to join the series. Although some have used the new engine in this current season (the Vauxhall Vectras of Andrew Jordan and Dave Pinkney for example) the development programme is now in full swing, with driver James Thompson charged with testing the new engine and specs.  The NGTC should effectively halve the cost of competing in the BTCC. Series director Alan Gow said - 'the feedback from current and potential teams, media and the public has been absolutely fantastic. The car has a real ‘wow-factor’ and, coupled with a huge reduction in running costs, it’s a real win-win situation. We’ve had so many positive remarks and very serious enquiries from teams who see this as their ideal opportunity to join the BTCC.' Built by GPR Motorsport, it’s an impressive makeover for the plain-Jane Toyota, with its matt black livery, flared arches and rear wing. Test driver Thompson said - 'it looks more dramatic and spectacular, just like a touring car should be!'

Advertisement - Article continues below

The NGTC Toyota Avensis didn’t seem too far off race-pace either, completing a lap of the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit just one second slower than 2010 BTCC champion Jason Plato in his Chevrolet Cruze.

Click here for a 2010 BTCC season review gallery

Join evo's Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Mercedes-AMG discounting its F1-inspired super saloon by £9500
Mercedes-AMG C63
News

Mercedes-AMG discounting its F1-inspired super saloon by £9500

The Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance is, to the surprise of very few, not selling well. So now there are deals to be had…
19 May 2025
Volkswagen XL1 (2013) review – Bugatti-level engineering aimed at MPG not MPH
Volkswagen XL1 – front
Reviews

Volkswagen XL1 (2013) review – Bugatti-level engineering aimed at MPG not MPH

Another hair-brained Piëch passion project, the XL1 is shot through with hypercar engineering, all to an end of saving fuel
16 May 2025
Driving ’80s performance car icons, from the Peugeot 205 GTI to the Ferrari Testarossa – car pictures of the week
evo's ’80s performance car test
Features

Driving ’80s performance car icons, from the Peugeot 205 GTI to the Ferrari Testarossa – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo magazine, we revisit six staple performance cars of the 1980s on some of the best roads in the UK – these are our favourite…
18 May 2025