By using its vast motorsport experience, TMG recognised the answer lay in the old catchphrase “less is more”. It would have been easy to add race components that increase cost, weight and complexity, so it was equally important for TMG’s engineers to decide what not to change.
Performance of the road car was already strong from the free-revving 2.0 litre boxer engine. Producing 200hp and 205Nm of torque, the engine was already well suited to the V3 class.
FACTORY FACTFILE Department: Chassis Workshop
- Highly-skilled technicians with an average of 17 years experience
- 760m2 workshop and 600m2 of separate workspace, built new in 2000
- Facilities include lifting machinery, a flatbed for validation and direct HGV access
- Immaculate preparation areas for any low-production-volume vehicle, from touring or rally cars right up to prototype vehicles
The addition of a race-tuned exhaust system reduces weight and allows the engine to breathe more easily when dancing to the 7450rpm limit.
Not surprisingly for anyone familiar with the twists and turns of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the suspension and brakes were the first items to develop. The road-going suspension units have been replaced by specialist Bilstein motorsport units with top mounted camber adjustment.
In order to handle the heat of braking for over 150 corners around the track, TMG also fitted racing brake pads, braided brake lines and a TMG-designed brake cooling duct system. The ABS system of the original car has been retained. These changes ensure drivers get consistent, reliable and safe braking performance throughout the duration of a four hour race around the infamous Green Hell.
Visible motorsport upgrades including a fully-welded roll cage, racing wheels and tyres, race seat and steering wheel, a racing foot rest and a six-point TAKATA harness almost complete the picture.
FACTORY FACTFILE Department: Fabrication
- Skilled fabricators familiar with a variety of materials, including special materials such as Inconel
- Stringent quality control procedures - Large angle-forming presses
- Welding dome with Argon environment to reduce the risk of oxidisation
- Tube end forming machines
- Large Kuka laser robot for cutting two and three-dimensional components
- Aida 150 tool press for forming complex shapes from sheet metal
Less visible features include a quick release system for the hood as well as additional safety systems ranging from an FIA approved fire extinguisher system to an electronic master switch and window safety net.
All work, including design, conversion and testing, has been done by TMG at its Cologne facility. Here a team of technicians have an average of more than 17 years of cutting-edge automotive technology experience. With a history of tuning road cars, as well as
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