Touring car racing is a highly popular category in motorsports, where ordinary Sedans showcase extraordinary performance on the circuit. The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) held from 2005 to 2018 was a significant event in this category. Initially following the Super 2000 regulations, which originated from the Group A regulations of 2000, the cars were based on production models with naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engines of 2 litres. In 2015, the regulations transitioned to the more aggressive TC-1 rules, allowing aerodynamic parts and delivering intense competition and thrilling dead heats.
The WTCC, which began in 2005, featured the Super 2000 regulations as its main vehicle category. BMW, a long-time participant in touring car racing, prepared the 320si E90 as its flagship WTCC machine. Based on the fifth-generation 3 Series, codenamed E90, the homologation model 320si was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Limited to a production run of 2,600 units, the motorsport version was subsequently created. The front-mounted engine was a hand-assembled inline 4-cylinder DOHC 1998cc, producing approximately 275 horsepower through natural aspiration. It utilised rear-wheel drive (RWD) to power the two rear wheels. The suspension consisted of a front strut design and a rear 5-arm axle, equipped with adjustable anti-roll bars at both ends. The base body of the 4-door saloon received aerodynamic tuning, including front and rear aprons, wheel arches made of carbon/Kevlar material, and an aluminium rear wing. These enhancements contributed to its outstanding performance on the track.
The BMW 320si E90 was entrusted to customer teams from various countries around the world, competing in touring car races held not only in Europe but also in Asia and Northern Europe, contributing to the excitement of the sport. In the prominent stage of the WTCC, Andy Priaulx showcased the car’s strength by becoming the consecutive champion in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, the BMW UK team with Andy Priaulx, the BMW Italy/Spain team with Alessandro Leone Zanardi and Félix Porteiro, and the BMW Germany team with Jörg Müller and Augusuto Farfus Jr. joined the competition. Müller achieved victory on July 26th at the Brands Hatch race in the UK, while Farfus secured two wins, and Priaulx, Zanardi, and Porteiro each achieved one victory, demonstrating the true capabilities of the BMW 320si E90.
