Louis Chevrolet, a race car designer and driver, co-founded Chevrolet with Billy Durant, establishing a racing heritage at the company’s inception. That legacy continues today in many forms of motorsports, including the Chevrolet Cruze competing in the popular World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
This year is the first full racing season for the Cruze, which was introduced in the WTCC in 2009, around the same time the all-new compact car was launched in the European market. This season also marks the sixth for Chevrolet participating in the WTCC; it includes three Cruze race cars and support teams.
The ambitions of the European Chevrolet WTCC team members this year are high, as they are aiming for the world title. It would be an achievement that would cap the steady progression since the Chevrolet WTCC racing debut in 2005.
The Cruze WTCC effort underwent significant development and testing to prepare for the 2010 season. It is directed by British stalwart racing organization Ray Mallock Limited (RML), which has been in charge of the technical and sports aspects of the racing program since 2005.
In 2005, when the Chevrolet brand was re-launched in Europe, it enrolled in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), one of only three FIA world Championships, next to Formula One and the World Rally Championship (WRC). The intent was – and remains – to demonstrate capability, durability and confidence in the products to the public, dealers and employees.
The WTCC features cars close to production models. “Real cars, real racing” is the championship’s tagline and it very appropriately encapsulates both the spirit of the WTCC and Chevrolet. With races taking place in different continents (Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa) and offering a truly global audience, the WTCC is an ideal platform to showcase the Chevrolet spirit so well expressed by Louis Chevrolet’s motto: “Never give up!”
2010 CHEVROLET CRUZE WTCC RACE CAR SPECIFICATIONS
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Wheelbase (in / mm) | 106.6 / 2709 |
| Length (in / mm) | 182.4 / 4633 |
| Width (in / mm) | 72.9 / 1852 |
| Height (in / mm) | 55.1 / 1400 |
| Front track (in / mm) | 68.5 / 1740 |
| Rear track (in / mm) | 68.5 / 1740 |
| Curb weight (lbs / kg) | 2535 / 1150 (per 2009 FIA minimum weight) |
| Fuel capacity (gal / liter) | 15.85 / 60 |
| CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION | |
| Structure frame | steel unitary structure with FEA roll cage |
| Body | steel/composite with Motorsport Aerodynamic Kit, per FIA regulations |
| Front suspension | MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | trailing twist axle |
| Wheels and tires | 17 x 9-inch aluminum ATS racing wheels and Yokohama Competition tires |
| Front brakes | 4-piston machined aluminium calliper, with 332 x 32 mm vented steel disc, air cooled |
| Rear brakes | 2-piston machined aluminum caliper, with280 x 7 mm steel disc |
| ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION | |
| Type | 2.0L Ecotec 4-cylinder |
| Displacement (cu in / cc) | 122 / 1998 |
| Intake system | 64 mm throttle, individual injection, plenum with internal trumpets |
| Valve train | 16-valve, 34 mm inlet & 28 mm exhaust valve diameter, coil spring |
| Compression ratio | 11.0:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm) | 285 / 212 @ 8400 |
| Torque (lbs-ft / Nm @ rpm) | 145 / 197 @ 5,800 rpm |
| Transmission type | 6-speed sequential shift, with mechanical linkage |
| Top speed (mph / km/h, est) | 158 / 254 |
