Plato Racing’s ‘groundbreaking’ BTCC entries a credit to UK motorsport innovation, says RML Group

Ahead of the first round of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Donington Park in April, Plato Racing officially unveiled its cars for 2026 at an exclusive event in Northamptonshire earlier this week (17 March). The Mercedes AMG A35 saloons, which have been built and engineered by total solutions provider RML Group, are said to represent the next level of motorsport innovation. 

Set to be driven by Dan Rowbottom and Adam Morgan, the cars harness every ounce of RML’s motorsport pedigree and engineering excellence, with industry-defining technology used at every juncture in their development.  

Adam Airey, Head of Vehicle Engineering at RML Group, said, “Working with Plato Racing to build two highly competitive cars for the 2026 BTCC season has been an incredibly exciting journey. RML and Jason Plato have been synonymous with British Touring Cars for decades, and Jason even took the championship title with RML Chevrolet in 2010.

“While the cars obviously look fantastic, that’s only a small part of the story. What really sets them apart is the depth of engineering and technology that sits beneath the surface. For example, we made extensive use of advanced simulation tools throughout the build process, including chassis simulation and computational fluid dynamics, to fully optimise performance.

“Another major focus for RML has been digital development. By leveraging computerised aerodynamic modelling and by integrating groundbreaking AI-driven tools, we’ve been able to accelerate decision-making and refine designs with a level of precision that just wasn’t possible a few years ago. Now, we’re able to extract more insight, earlier in the process, unlocking valuable data that allows us to ultimately build a better car.

“The collaboration reflects a new evolution in touring car design and engineering. The fusion of traditional processes and mechanical optimisation, with intelligent systems, data-driven development and virtual validation, is what will truly define the next generation of motorsport engineering for years to come.

“Working alongside Plato Racing has offered the perfect opportunity to showcase what UK engineering can truly deliver. The pace, creativity and technical ingenuity within British motorsport is world-renowned, and programmes like this demonstrate the extent to which this expertise continues to evolve.

“While the unveiling event was a real milestone for all of us, this is just the beginning. Now that the cars are complete, Plato Racing will move into the exciting next phase – competing in the championship in a live racing environment, with continued technical support from RML. That’s where the hard work really comes together, and where we’ll see just how far our groundbreaking, collaborative approach to motorsport engineering can truly take us.”

RML Group has been an official parts supplier for TOCA, the governing body of the BTCC, since 2016, providing specified chassis, suspension and associated components to all teams on the grid. The long-standing supplier contract with TOCA is separate from the  agreement with Plato Racing to design and engineer its 2026 race car entries.