Brand new technical regulations have been revealed for the British Touring Car Championship from 2011. Out goes Super 2000; in comes NGTC – Next Generation Touring Car.

The full detail is here, but in summary: 2-litre turbo-charged petrol engines, front wheel drive, bigger cars, and lots of standardised parts – including an unbranded TOCA-supplied engine for those who want it.

The pros are obvious: faster and cheaper cars. Which by anyone’s standards is a pretty good pair of pros.

Bigger cars are being trumpeted as a pro too, but I rather like the smaller hatchbacks. If it paves the way for a greater variety of cars in the championship, though, then I’ll be all for it.

The cons are perhaps more subtle.

Super 2000 is currently used by the World Touring Car Championship, though the FIA is contemplating a change to turbo-charged Super 1600 cars. BTCC boss Alan Gow reckons that option will end up too expensive. Indeed one of the stated aims of the NGTC rules is to “reduce reliance” on the WTCC and S2000 equipment.

But with that comes a danger. Part of the reason that certain teams have been able to compete at the sharp end of the BTCC relatively quickly, is by using ex-WTCC machinery. I’m thinking about Mat Jackson buying Andy Priaulx’s championship winning BMW for each of 2007 and 2008; and this year, RML entering the Chevrolet Lacettis left over from past WTCC factory campaigns at very short notice for Jason Plato and that man Mat Jackson again.

Admittedly S2000 cars will continue to be eligible, and with performance parity until 2013, so this isn’t close to being an issue yet. But in 2013 NGTCs will have a performance advantage and boost button, so by then the BTCC will need a good crop of thoroughly dedicated teams.

The theory is that standard parts will make it easy and cheap for just such dedicated teams. But we’ve seen this year with Arena and the Ford Focus that it’s tough to introduce a completely new car, so come 2011, how many teams will ditch the safe S2000 option for the unknowns of NGTC? Because the rules have been agreed with the existing teams, hopefully plenty.

Another con – and it’s a far more personal one – is the exclusion of rear-wheel drive cars. I can live without diesels – I’m not convinced that the diesel SEAT Leon really adds much to touring car racing. But I think the BMW 320si, with its rear wheel advantage off the line, has done a great deal to spice up races over the years. But that’s life.

The final con could be the most serious: the regulations don’t sound desperately green. Lower CO2 emissions than current cars are promised, but is that enough? I’m not sure it would be for manufacturers to enter. Does that matter? Only time will well.

In the meantime, let’s look forward to a faster, cheaper BTCC. Ultimately, I’m finding it difficult to be sceptical about that.