To combat the ever-increasing costs that were being spent during the ‘Super Touring’ era and the downturn in the world economic climate. The organizers of the British Touring Car Championship introduced the new BTC Touring regulations in 2001 to help dramatically reduce not just running costs but also manufacturing costs. The introduction of controlled component parts along with other cost cutting effects would see an initial luke-warm reaction to the new concept from both Manufacturers and teams.

BTCC stalwarts Vauxhall dominated this class but due to the globalization of the S2000 class that was introduced just one year after the introduction of the BTC Touring concept. This class would only survive until 2006 when the S2000 would be the mainstay of the BTCC.