Force India unveils its 2012 Formula 1 car, the VJM05

Force India has unveiled its new car for the 2012 season, dubbed the VJM05, at Silverstone.

It is the team's earliest car launch since Force India was created in 2008 when Vijay Mallya bought the Spyker team. In recent years Force India has not had its new machine ready for the first test.

The Mercedes-engined car features a nose design similar to that of the 2012 Caterham, and heavily revised sidepods in line with the new exhaust rules. Force India has also dropped its 'blade' style rollhoop design.

It is hoped that the new car will allow Force India to challenge for the top five in the constructors' championship after finishing a best-ever sixth last year. The team has replaced Adrian Sutil with Nico Hulkenberg, while Paul di Resta stays on in the sister car.

"I think every individual in this team has put a lot of effort into his car," di Resta told Sky Sports News. "The momentum we had at the end of last year, hopefully we've manged to carry that over but I must say it is a fine piece of art. Hopefully when it gets to track it'll be able to show what it's capable of."

AUTOSPORT technical correspondent Gary Anderson said the Force India looked extremely promising at first sight.

"I'm impressed and, including what I've seen of the Ferrari, this looks like the best overall package yet," Anderson told AUTOSPORT. "The car looks very good in all areas. The exhausts are a bit non-commital, but that can change easily."