BMW's next World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) contender was unveiled at the Frankfurt Show, completely overshadowed by the new Z4 Coupe. Based on the latest version of the 3-series saloon, the racing 320si is an offshoot from the special edition showroom 320si model (on sale later in the year) and is designed with the sole intention of winning the 2006 FIA WTCC.

As such it complies to the FIA Super 2000 regulations and will go on sale to customer race outfits, meaning the 320si will appear in a host of national domestic series as well as the WTCC, with the possibility of works entries in the series. Apparently more than 100 racing versions of the previous generation 3-series have been sold and BMW is keen to continue the success of its tin tops with BMW's current 3-series currently set to win both driver's and manufacturer's titles in this year's series.

An inline four-cylinder 2-litre engine producing 275bhp in race tune powers the lightweight (1,140kg) race car. The production version will feature the same configuration albeit with significantly less power, likely to be closer to 150bhp, as in the 320i. Also fitted to the race car, but unlikely to make production, are gargantuan 332mm brake discs gripped by four-pot callipers at the front complemented by 280mm discs and two-pot callipers at the rear.

What may make the production version are more muscular looks, possibly including the rear spoiler, front and rear bumpers and broader wheelarches. The production 320si goes on sale this winter with the race version making its debut early next year.

Shane O' Donoghue - 26 Sep 2005