Spec engine for WTCC from 2011

A proposed move to a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine was agreed on by the manufacturers' commision and has today been approved by the FIA World Council.

The new engine provides a solution to the ongoing disagreements between the car makers in the championship, who have had long-running disputes over the equalisation of the normally-aspirated petrol cars and the turbo diesels.

Any new model of car homologated from 2011 onwards will be required to use the 1.6 turbo engine, although any current models still racing in the series will be allowed to continue with their existing units for at least the 2011 season.

The FIA Touring Car Bureau will attempt to balance the performance of the new engine against the existing ones as long as both are running in the series.

The engine will also be introduced to rallying in 2011, with the single-spec unit used in any Super 2000-spec car across both disciplines.