If you listen to the FIA, the ACO and many commentators the latest cars are 20-30% more efficient due to the clever new F1 turbo engines and clever batteries.
I'm no powertrain expert let alone a hybrid expert but comments by the chief engineer of the Toyota TS040 2014 LMP car have made me wonder if the above is really true?
Comments in the article.
"Compared to last year we are burning 25-30% less fuel"
"A turbocharged petrol engine is not so efficient"
“We don’t use a MGU-H"
"The cars are narrower than last year"
“Much of the (width) reduction has come from the tyres"
“The new driving style that requires drivers to coast down the second half of the straight"
“on a Le Mans lap 95% is powered by the engine with the MGU responsible for the remaining 5%"
Now the Toyota seems to be the quickest car under the new regs and has up to 1,000 bhp available - 520 from the IC engine and 480 bhp from the front electric motor. BUT if you look at the comments the 25% fuel saving seems to come from
1) Making the existing NA 4.7 litre V-8 more efficient
2) Making the car and tyres narrower for less drag
3) Teaching the driver not to drive flat out al the time.
I may be very, very dumb but if the MGU gives only 5% contribution it ought to be 1) to 3) above which is responsible for most of the 25% fuel gain.
Any thoughts please?