TCR Touring Car


A TCR Touring Car is a touring car specification first introduced in 2014; it is now employed by a multitude of series worldwide. All TCR Touring Cars are front wheel drive cars based on 4- or 5-door production vehicles, and are powered by 1.75 to 2.0 litre turbocharged engines. While the bodyshell and suspension layout of the production vehicle is retained in a TCR car, and many models use a production gearbox, certain accommodations are made for the stresses of the racetrack including upgraded brakes and aerodynamics. Competition vehicles are subject to balance of performance adjustments to ensure close racing between different vehicles.

History

The project to develop the TCR specification was spearheaded by former World Touring Car Championship manager Marcello Lotti. All TCR cars have a common forefather; the SEAT León Cup Racer racing car which was introduced as successor to the SEAT León Supercopa used in several successful single-make series. The 2.0L engine formula was derived from this car, as well as the standardised front splitter and rear wing. Initially, the specification and accompanying international series was known as TC3, to indicate its intended position at the entry-level end of the touring car pyramid. However, upon being approved by the FIA in December 2014, the specification was renamed TCR.

Technical regulations

On 15 September 2014, technical regulations for the category were announced. On 22 January 2016, minor changes were applied.
Eligible cars: 4/5-door vehicles
Body shell: Reinforced production body shell; wheel arch modifications allowed to accommodate tyres
Minimum weight: 1250 kg for cars with production gearbox, 1285 kg for cars with racing gearbox
Minimum overall length: 4.2 metres
Maximum overall width: 1.95 metres
Engine: Turbo-charged petrol or diesel up to 2 litre
Torque:
Power: 355 PS
Lubrication: Wet sump
Exhaust: Homologated catalytic converter using production parts
Traction: On two wheels
Gearbox: Production or TCR International Series sequential; production paddle shift accepted
Front Suspension: Production lay-out; parts free design
Rear Suspension: Original design of production car with reinforced components
Brakes:
  • Front: max 6 piston calipers, brake discs max diameter 380mm
  • Rear: max 2 piston callipers; production ABS accepted
Wheels: Maximum dimensions of rim: 10″ x 18″
Aerodynamics:
The FIA licensed the TCR regulations under the name of WTCR for usage in the World Touring Car Cup. The specification is identical, however it is frozen until the end of 2019, and cars are required to obtain an FIA passport after going through TCR homologation.

TCR Model of the Year

Since 2017, TCR organisers World Sporting Consulting have awarded the TCR Model of the Year award for the most successful TCR car across a year. The title is awarded on the basis of a points system that gives points to all the different TCR-certified cars competing in all the TCR-sanctioned races of the year. The points are adjusted by coefficients that take into account the level of the competition, the number of cars participating and the number of manufacturers represented.

Winners

Eligible cars

List of TCR series

As premier class

International