Tom Chilton thrilled with first taste of WTCC RML Chevrolet Cruze

RML, which operated Chevrolet's factory effort over the last eight seasons, announced it would run Chilton and three-time WTCC champion Yvan Muller last week.

Chilton spearheaded Arena's Ford Focus effort last season. He was delighted with the Cruze following his first two days of testing at Snetterton and Brands Hatch respectively.

"It was everything I was expecting," he told AUTOSPORT. "I didn't need to make any set-up changes really; it was all there already.

"I had a full day at Snetterton and then a day in the rain at Brands, and I could tell just how good the car is.

"It didn't feel alien either: though I've spent a lot of time developing the Ford, all the areas where the Focus worked the Cruze does too, so it wasn't hard to adapt.

"It's also an amazing team. I'm very excited about the season."

Chilton, who will complete one further brief shakedown before the team travels to Monza for the season opener on March 23-24, said he was confident he and Muller can challenge for this year's WTCC crown.

"Yvan is probably the best driver you could have as a team-mate," he said.

"Of course I hope to beat him, but I also want to try and learn from him as he's one of the best touring car drivers in history.

"As a pair we have an awful lot of experience, and we know the quality of this team, so hopefully we can challenge for the title."