BTCC - Toyota Developing NGTC Engine

Toyota has confirmed it is developing an NGTC-specification version of its 3ZR engine for use by customer teams in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The engine is currently under Toyota GB-funded development at the Northamptonshire laboratories of engineering consultancy X CTech R – its technicians hope the motor will be one of the lightest on the BTCC grid.

In addition to having a turbocharger fitted to comply with the BTCC’s new NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) technical regulations, the 3ZR unit will feature a number of internal revisions which it is hoped will more than double power output from around 140bhp in road specification to 300bhp-plus on the track.

The Dynojet team, which will field at least one NGTC-spec Avensis for reigning Ginetta G50 champion Frank Wrathall Jnr, has already signed up to use the engine for its debut BTCC season. Fellow newcomer Speedworks will also run an Avensis and would have the option of using the 3ZR engine should it wish.

Scott Brownlee, Toyota GB’s PR chief, said: “The decision to fund the development of a new Toyota BTCC engine is a direct response to requests we received from privateer teams and drivers wanting to race the NGTC Avensis. We are delighted to be supporting the Dynojet team in this way and hope very much that even though theirs is not a ‘works’ entry it will help return the Toyota name to the forefront of the BTCC.”

Dynojet team principal Frank Wrathall Snr commented: “The Avensis has been designed to the NGTC rules, which means we could have opted for the ‘stock’ TOCA engine. However, we were enormously impressed by the plans put forward by X CTech R and felt that this was the right way for us to go, not least because it means our Avensis will be 100 per cent Toyota.”

X CTech R technical director Mark Faulkner added: “The Toyota 3ZR engine is a lightweight, compact package which we have optimised to ensure delivery of the required performance and durability. This is an exciting programme and will allow us to showcase our experience with turbocharged touring car engines. We are looking forward to working closely with Dynojet and Frank to get the very best out of the complete package.”

Wrathall Jnr, meanwhile, is clearly excited about Toyota’s decision to fund an engine development programme for privateer teams running NGTC-spec Avensises and said: “All the elements are in place for it to be very competitive indeed and I’m excited to go behind the wheel for the first time and get a feel for the Avensis, which will be the first front-drive car I have raced.”