Chevrolet Cruze and the WTCC – a Success Story with Many Winners

The Cruze has achieved fame in two very distinct domains, becoming Chevrolet’s most widely sold passenger car in 2010 and leading the brand to the World Touring Car Championships (WTCC) Driver’s and Manufacturers’ Title in the same year. After taking up the baton from the Chevrolet Lacetti in 2008, the Cruze proved capable of prevailing against formidable adversaries on the racetrack.

Established in 2005, the WTCC is one of three world championships sanctioned by the Paris-based Fédération Internationale d’Automobile (FIA), alongside Formula One and the World Rally Championship. Chevrolet’s latest triumph in the WTCC mean that the series has become an ideal opportunity for the brand to showcase and market the Cruze in particular, but also its entire product range.

Seizing the Initiative

After six years in the competition, Chevrolet can boast an impressive track record. Apart from the World Champions crown in 2010, this included 41 race wins, 23 pole positions and 474 laps in the lead. 430 million viewers on five continents watched the drama and glory of Chevrolet’s onslaught in WTCC racing unfold, generating over 100 million Euros of TV value.

This year, Alain Menu, Yvan Muller and Rob Huff are poised to pounce once again. A resounding double win at the season opener in Curitiba, Brazil in April was the start of the most successful season to date. With sixteen races of the 2011 season now complete Chevrolet have taken 14 wins and secured pole position at every event.  This success has recently confirmed that Chevrolet’s three drivers are eager to emulate the performance achieved in 2010 and have collectively scored 648 points and are well ahead of the competition.

“We are looking forward to some very exciting races in Japan, China and Macau during the second part of the season after this summer break”, says Nève, “The new 1.6 turbo petrol engine has delivered the expected results and we are in position to exploit our advantages to the fullest”.

More than just an eye-catching design

Even though certain technologies featuring in production cars are banned, the designs of all FIA-approved touring cars have to be close to production specifications. The body frame of the two cars, for instance, needs to be identical. Hence, the regular production Cruze and the WTCC variant benefit from the same proportions, wide track and stiff body structure, all of which ensure superb road holding-characteristics.

While the body-frame-integral’s low weight is key to the touring car’s excellent acceleration, it simplified the task of keeping the passenger vehicle’s fuel consumption within strict limits. Similarly, the WTCC’s front suspension of the WTCC car is based on the geometry of the road car’s front axle.

However, “tech transfer is not a one-way street,” emphasizes Eric Nève, Chevrolet Europe Motorsport Manager. The wheel-hub and oil pumps are cases in point where the Cruze road car engineers received valuable feedback from their counterparts in racing. “Our participation in the WTCC enables us to test some of our products to their limits under challenging circumstances. Beyond that, the World Touring Car Championships represents a cornerstone of Chevrolet’s global effort to market the Cruze.”

Bearers of a proud heritage

A new livery which was unveiled in March ensures that on the outside, too, the dynamic spirit is carried forward. In honor of the brand’s centennial, moreover, Alain Menu’s car is sporting the number 8 this season – Louis Chevrolet’s lucky number.

From the company’s earliest beginnings, racing and motor sport have been part of Chevrolet’s identity and success. Besides the WTCC, Chevrolet today participates in the BTCC, Nascar, Le Mans, ALMS and Indy 500 races.

The Cruze WTCC was designed and built, and is being developed by Ray Mallock Limited (RML), who have been Chevrolet’s partner in racing since 2005. RML manage the technical and sports aspects of the programme.