WTCC: New technical rules for 2014

[FIRE]

More power and aerodynamics for WTCC 2014 regs
The FIA today revealed details on modifications for the S2000 regulations set for introduction in 2014. The basics are more power, less weight and more aerodynamic devices on the cars.
The current performance balancing system will be scrapped for 2014, while the equalisation between front and rear wheel drive will remain.

Teams will also be allowed more technical freedom in order to make it easier to get rid of technical waivers between the different cars. The FIA pointed out that the changes will be made with the level of costs to remain the same.

http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=8448

I assume they keep the current 1.6L turbo engines but with less restriction.

I am not sure the other changes are positive. More aero and lighter cars will increase costs. And in most cases more aero means dull racing.

[MagVanisher]

That's good news, but I have a feeling that it won't generate more teams...

[touring fan01]

more technical freedoms = expensive
more engine power = expensive
more aero aids = expensive
less weight = expensive

[nickyf1]

Why so negative?

It's a step towards the faster cars we've all been wishing for for years.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by nickyf1

Why so negative?

It's a step towards the faster cars we've all been wishing for for years.

They could get faster cars though in a cheaper way. If they opted for a softer tyre compound, or wider tyre, or increase the boost pressure for the turbo's. They are fairly cheap ways of making cars quicker. Making cars lighter and adding more aero are expensive and bad for racing.

[Bramzel]

I also have my doubts about this one. Less aero = closer racing, more aero = more difficult for cars to run close.

[Pettersson]

I agree, more aero is never good for the racing with touring cars. Not so sure about better brakes either. But what I do like is the no technical waivers approach. More technical freedom means that the weak spots on some production cars can be fixed without dispensations etc. I'm thinking this would mean kind of a modern interpretation of super touring.

[Sodemo]

If they wanted my reciepe for a successful formula (I mean, who wouldn't?). It would be this;

(Using S2000 as a base starting point)
- Wider, softer tyre (faster cornering speeds)
- 380BHP (turn up the turbo boost)

I don't actually think there is that much wrong with the S2000 formula. I know it isn't cheap any more and costs have increased, however my grieviences with the S2000 spec has really always been about the speed of the cars. They are slower in a straight line and whilst cornering than the older supertouring cars which they replaced. If they could speed them up a bit on the straights and in the corners, then i'd take that.

It all depends on whether they are sticking with the S2000 chassis philosophy or whether they are going down a whole new route. Will the S2000 cars be upgradeable? Are they planning a fresh sheet of paper etc?

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

If they wanted my reciepe for a successful formula (I mean, who wouldn't?). It would be this;

(Using S2000 as a base starting point)
- Wider, softer tyre (faster cornering speeds)
- 380BHP (turn up the turbo boost)

I don't actually think there is that much wrong with the S2000 formula. I know it isn't cheap any more and costs have increased, however my grieviences with the S2000 spec has really always been about the speed of the cars. They are slower in a straight line and whilst cornering than the older supertouring cars which they replaced. If they could speed them up a bit on the straights and in the corners, then i'd take that.

It all depends on whether they are sticking with the S2000 chassis philosophy or whether they are going down a whole new route. Will the S2000 cars be upgradeable? Are they planning a fresh sheet of paper etc?

I would add to that:
- bigger wheels
- lower ride-height

Just for the looks of it.

[Thaw Daggerslash]

I don't understand the negativity either. The current crop of S2000 cars in particular are getting rather long in the tooth now, and I see no problem with giving them a bit of a make over aesthetically and performance wise too.

With talk of Renault being interested to enter alongside Citroen, I think there's reasons to be positive for the future. It has been a while since we've been able to say that in relation to the WTCC, but I think this is a good step forwards by the FIA.

[jj2448jg]

Come on WTCC, I hope these new regs will bring the series back to what it used to be like pre 2010. And trying to get more manufacturer support i.e. citroen and renault seems like a good idea, as we never want to see that Chevy Dominance again.

More aero would make it harder to pass, so cue more frantic first corners and crazy lunges by drivers!

[TF110]

Super GT has a lot of aero, their races are far from dull. Maybe basing opinions off DTM I can see the point, but not all 'more aero' makes cars hard to pass.

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

Originally Posted by jj2448jg

as we never want to see that Chevy Dominance again.

If RML doesn't sign top drivers, we may very well see it again as soon as 2013 with Honda

[Richard T]

How wide are the new cars allowed to be? cant find it anywhere..

[NaBUru38]

Here it says it's 1,950 mm.