Colin Turkington and Team BMW are back in black

Last year, BMW’s new 3 Series swept all before it in the UK’s premier motorsport series, winning nine of the first 14 races in the hands of Turkington and Jordan – the most dominant performance by any single model in almost 15 years – en route to a sixth BTCC Manufacturers’ title for the brand.

With the benefit of a year’s development and the added impetus of the 330i M Sport’s bold new appearance, sights are firmly set on more silverware this season.

Turkington said: “When conversations started last year about radically changing the livery for 2020, we all felt a fresh new look would be a really positive move for our partners and fans – it’s created a real buzz ahead of an exciting new BTCC season!

“The BMW 3 Series is a stunning car and this new image reflects that perfectly. Looking forwards to the new season, I’ve no doubt about our potential and I’m feeling positive about the consistency we have with the 3 Series and the people, but we also have to move the game on – we have to make it count.

“The opportunity to test the car before the season kicks off has been extremely useful, and we’ll continue with this development programme at Silverstone on Tuesday. The competition in this championship comes from every possible angle, and the challenges grow year-on-year.

“I have to keep looking for gains, but success is like a drug to me – it inspires me to keep on pushing and keep on growing.”

Jordan pushed Turkington all the way in 2019, winning more races than anybody else – including a brace of double-tops at Thruxton and Croft.

He ultimately fell just a couple of points shy of adding to his 2013 Drivers’ trophy, despite finding himself ruled out of two races when he was blamelessly caught up in another driver’s accident at Donington Park.

His title near-miss has left the 30-year-old more fired-up than ever going into 2020, particularly now he is running under the official Team BMW banner for the first time. Oliphant made a positive impression upon his return to rear wheel-drive last season, tallying a brace of podium finishes in only his second year in the series.

After leading laps in 2019, the 29-year-old is now targeting the top step of the rostrum as he bids to turn the experience he gained into champagne celebrations.

Graeme Grieve, CEO, BMW UK, said: “The start of a new BTCC season is always an exciting time, but particularly so this year as we approach it with a dynamic new livery on the BMW 330i M Sport and all three drivers now competing in Team BMW colours.

“Replicating last year’s outstanding achievements will be no mean feat given the calibre of competition in the BTCC – which seems to go up every year – but in Andrew, Colin and Tom, we know we have the drivers to get the job done and the car is clearly a well-proven package. I’m looking forward to seeing how we shape up when the lights go out at Donington Park at the end of this month.”

BMW’s stealth-like 2020 BTCC challenger will first take to the track in public on BTCC Media Day at Silverstone next Tuesday (17 March), before the new season begins at Donington Park on 28/29 March.