This is BMW's 330i British Touring Car contender

It’s finally here. A month after announcing the 3 Series would return to the British Touring Car Championship, BMW has revealed its race-tuned 330i M Sport. And my, doesn’t it look good.

The 3 Series competed in the BTCC between 1988 and 2009, in which time it won five drivers’ and two manufacturers’ titles. In 2013 BMW swapped to the 1 Series, but last month announced “one of the most evocative cars in BTCC history” would return to the grid this year.

The car pictured here, with its rather fetching M Sport livery, will be driven by three-time (and reigning) champion Colin Turkington and teammate Tom Oliphant. The third car, driven by Andrew Jordan, will wear a Pirtek Racing livery. All three cars were prepared by West Surrey Racing, ahead of the first test at Brand Hatch tomorrow, and first race in early April.

Among others, the rear-wheel drive 330i will compete with touring car versions of the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic Type R, Vauxhall Astra and Mercedes A-Class.