12.1.2006
Chevrolet launches 2006 WTCC Lacetti at Vienna Auto Show

Chevrolet Europe launched its 2006 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) campaign in Vienna, Austria, this week with the presentation of the 2006 Chevrolet Lacetti WTC.

After a learning year in the 2005 WTCC, the Chevrolet Racing team and Ray Mallock Ltd. used the winter period to build all the facts, figures and feedback they gathered during the season into the new car. The most visible change to last year's car is that the driver seat changed to the left side. Many improvements on the 2006 Lacetti aren’t visible from the outside, but they add up to a big difference. Improvements have been made in area of aerodynamics, chassis and serviceability of the cars. The engines will now be developed and built in-house, at Ray Mallock Ltd,'s new "RML Power" engine facility – a change that should lead to significant improvements in this area.

The driver line-up for the 2006 WTCC season remains the same as last year, with Rob Huff, Nicola Larini and Alain Menu racing for Chevrolet.

At the Vienna Auto Show, it was officially announced that GMAC will be the main sponsor of Chevrolet’s World Touring Car Championship team. All three Chevrolet Lacetti race cars will prominently display the GMAC logo.

Chevrolet’s test program will kick off with the shake-down at the MIRA proving grounds in Nuneaton, U.K., on February 8, followed by a full test program at Brands Hatch and Snetterton, U.K., Albacete, Spain, and Magny Cours, France.

2006 WTCC calendar: