2013 Engine pecking order & philosophy
#1
Posted 16 May 2013 - 15:14
These days we don't seem to hear anything at all about the engines. We might be able to work out how many have been used, and we see when they spectacularly (and rarely) let go, but the rev limit and longevity rules, plus spec electronics have had a hugely detrimental effect on development potential.
However, they are still being designed and built by different manufacturers and that means they are being built to different standards and philosophies. What information is there about how relatively powerful the 2013 units are and whether they have particular traits because of this? Are the Ferrari fast starts an engine thing and why are AMG Mercedes seemingly suffering from heavy fuel use?
They all have 'around' 750hp but if one manufacturer decided to go down to 720 and instead concentrate on economy what sort of difference would that make to their llaptimes anyway?
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#2
Posted 16 May 2013 - 17:54
Regarding engine output, Renault say they are down 25 hp on others which equates to 0.3 sec/lap. Sounds like a large deficit, but it is a very frugal engine with very good low end drivability. If they can save 10 kgs less than others then they gain 0.1-0.2 back again, so pretty much they're all level with each having its pluses and minuses. I know Renault made a couple of efficiency improvements with the homologation rules.
#3
Posted 16 May 2013 - 18:43
The escalating power levels from naturally aspirated F1 engines was incredible. Each year the power levels went up as they found ways to get them to rev higher and reducing internal friction. Amazing stuff and so different to today's control ECUs and rev-limited engines. I hate to hear an f1 car on the rev limiter all the way down a straight. I know it's cost saving through engine longevity but it's not F1.
I remember back to the last turbo engines in the 80's. The Honda enginese were nowhere near the most powerful but they had the best power:consumption ratio meaning that in race trim they could go lighter on fuel and faster than anyone else, by choice I guess - trading horsepower for economy as the OP said. Could we get this next year? I'm not sure whether the powertrain includes the engine ECU although I'm guessing it would given the unique demands of each powerttrain? I guess the FIA will be keen to police launch control and maps that allow off throttle exhaust blowing mind. Wouldn't it be great if we had higher qualifying levels of boost too. I have so many memories of the last turbo engines - spectacular blowups, unbelieveable acceleration, that puff of black smoke from the exhausts as the drivers pushed the overboost button out of a slow corner onto a straigh, and they still sounded good too. I'm excited about the new stuff coming next year because it's new and the development potential is huge and we might well see some clever stuff with perhaps at least one manufacturer trading ultimate performance for economy and driveability.
#4
Posted 17 May 2013 - 08:43
#5
Posted 17 May 2013 - 09:05
#6
Posted 17 May 2013 - 17:36
It's not far off that, I agree, but as F1Champion points out above, there are still possible compromises to be had. I'd like to know where the 25hp figure comes from. Someone somewhere must have said something about the engines. I am probably just trying to fruitlessly rekindle some of the interest I used to have in this area.
I think that is the accepted figure in the paddock, I've heard Brundle mention similar figures. The Renault unit is down in peak horsepower and peak torque but has better fuel economy pre blown diffuser. The Renaults use 10-15 kgs less fuel than the Mercedes units over the race distance. With the blowing of the diffuser it isn't as cut and dry depending on engine mapping.
#7
Posted 17 May 2013 - 22:43
Edited by STRFerrari4Ever, 17 May 2013 - 22:46.
#8
Posted 18 May 2013 - 09:45