Chevrolet launches new Lacetti.

Chevrolet Europe launched its 2006 World Touring Car Championship campaign in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday.

At the Vienna motor show, new executive in charge of Chevrolet Europe, Wayne Brannon, presented the 2006 Chevrolet Lacetti WTC to the media and public.

"I am proud to head a brand which has an exciting motorsports programme going on like Chevrolet has with the World Touring Car Championship," Brannon said. "In my previous assignment for General Motors in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, I had the opportunity to experience first-hand how competition helps positioning a brand in the marketplace, and how it helps building awareness. With the WTCC, Chevrolet has a unique opportunity to challenge its market competitors again on the track, at the most international level possible. While at the beginning of last year we were the new kids on the block, this year we are definitely aiming at making part of the block our own. The results from the last races in 2005 clearly indicate the potential that is there, waiting to be unleashed. Personally, I can't wait for the season to start!"

After a learning year, which was the 2005 WTCC campaign, RML has used the winter period to build into the new car all the facts, figures and feedback the team amassed throughout the season.

"Our 2006 car is a logical development of our 2005 car," added Ray Mallock, chief executive of RML. "2005 was a hectic year, with a busy race schedule and an even busier development schedule in the workshops. Throughout the year we have managed to continuously and consistently increase our competitiveness, as we amply proved during the last races of the season. All that we have learned in 2005, and the developments we have made since the end of the season have now been carried over into our 2006 car, which we are confident will continue to improve on the results we managed in Valencia and Macau."

Many things new on the 2006 Lacetti aren't visible to the naked eye, but do add up to a big difference.

"The most visible change compared to last year's car is the driving position," Mallock continued. "The driver now sits of the left-hand side of car, which gives us more flexibility with the weight distribution and more easily allows us to set the car up for the growing number of anti-clockwise circuits we race on. The left-hand drive will also benefit the customer cars which will go on sale in 2006.

"On the aerodynamic side we have concentrated on reducing drag by intensively using Computational Fluid Design as well as full-scale wind tunnel testing. The suspensions have been revised and the serviceability of the cars has also been improved, which will certainly help us in the limited repair time available between races."

"As far as the engine goes the major change is that they are now developed and built in house, in RML's new engine facility 'RML Power' headed by ex-Cosworth Engineer Arnaud Martin. As a result, we expect to see significant improvements in this area. We have also strengthened our engineering team with the addition of two new engineers, Ron Hartvelt and Mark Cromack who will engineer Alain Menu and Nicola Larini respectively. We will also have a permanent test car available which will allow us to increase the testing and development pace.

"I am confident that, the combination of improved aero dynamics, chassis, engine performance and increased engineering resource will see us fighting for wins this season, which is in line with our programme objectives."

"I can barely wait to see our new car in action," concluded Chevrolet Europe's Motorsport manager, Eric Neve. "After learning the ropes in 2005, this year we have to prove that we can build on our experience from the past 12 months. With all the work that has been going on over winter, I'm confident that we will hit the ground running at a fast pace once our test programme gets underway. Equally important for us is the fact that the 2006 WTCC will expand to Eastern Europe and South America, which are crucial regions for Chevrolet."

While the drivers' line-up of Rob Huff, Nicola Larini and Alain Menu and stays the same, the livery of the 2006 car will be different from last year, as will be the racing numbers.

"The results from last year have led GMAC to join us for the 2006 WTCC campaign as our primary sponsor and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Carlos Ribeiro of GMAC for his confidence and support," added Neve.

This year's Lacetti's will carry racing numbers 6, 7 and 8. Since 8 was the fetish number of company-founder and avid racing driver, Louis Chevrolet, it is only normal that Chevrolet's compatriot, Alain Menu, will carry number 8.

Chevrolet's test programme will kick off with the shake down at the MIRA proving grounds on February 8 and will then continue with a full test programme at Brands Hatch and Snetterton in the UK, Albacete in Spain and Magny Cours in France.