Volvo S60 to start in the Belgian Touring Car Series

The all-new S60 has been recently introduced to the public but Volvo is already unveiling its racing version. Volvo Cars Belgium will be racing the new S60 in the Belgian Touring Car Series, with the first race taking place on April 11.

"We are very happy about this development," says Bart Crols, Managing Director at Volvo Cars Belgium. "The all-new Volvo S60 sports sedan is Volvo's most exciting driving experience so far and there is no better way to show this than by bringing it to the race track. Volvo and the all-new S60 have a special place in the people's hearts here as several Volvo models, including the new S60, are built in Belgium at the Volvo Cars Ghent plant."

Developed in record time by Volvo's Belgian S60 Racing Team the racing S60 version meets the BTCS Silhouette S1 regulations which put a major emphasis on standardised features. In the Belgian series al cars must use a tubular chassis the same type of front and rear suspension and aerodynamics. There is also a uniform type of engine specification although manufacturers can use their own engines.

The S60 BTCS will be powered by a mid-mounted standardised 3500 cc V6 engine with a maximum output of 410 hp and torque of 412 Nm at 5500rpm.

Vincent Radermecker and Eric Van De Poele will be driving the new racing version of the S60 with Volvo S60 Racing Team operating the car at all BTCS races.

"It has been a hectic period, but we have received great assistance from Volvo Cars' Motorsport department" says Thomas Neri, Team Manager for the Volvo S60 Racing Team. He continues: "Our main objective is to get up to speed and to compete well in the various heats. Next season we hope to put our own in-house developed engine in the car."