McLaren backs 4-cylinder engines for 2013

BMW engine - WTCC, Spain, Valencia, Rd. 9-10, 30.05.2009 Valencia, Spain | Copyright: Charniaux / xpb

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Wunderkind

I'm a McLaren fan. But I have to say I support Ferrari's view regarding the new engine for 2013 and beyond. The points made by Mr Marmorini are very valid. Also 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engines are just LAME. They don't have the right image and they do not produce the right sounds. Make the 2013 engines 1.8-litre V6's.

September 8, 2010 10:29 am

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mikemikemikemike

Mclaren with a 4 banger. Semms like an oxymoron.

September 8, 2010 12:05 pm

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LeonOfTheDead

It's easy to say that there is plenty of time and that it will be easy when you are just buying the engines from another supplier. Even if I agree with the new set of rules, it may be a tough switch, and perhaps not as positive as many would assume.

September 8, 2010 12:05 pm

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1 reply

sideskraper

I would expect McLaren to be fielding their own powerplant in 2013.

September 8, 2010 7:33 pm

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mn07

10,000rpm thats lame. You can find road cars which almost reach 10,000rpm. What about that insane sound. I going to miss it. Every time i here these v8 the hairs at the back of my neck stand.

September 8, 2010 12:35 pm

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Kepex

10,000rpm? Who said they'd be limited to that? Ever heard of motorcycle engines? Pretty much all of the high performance motorcycle engines are straight fours. And they rev to about 18,000rpm. Exactly the same as the current F1 V8s are limited to.

September 8, 2010 1:31 pm

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Mikeado

I'd be surprised if current engine suppliers - Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Ferrari (well, Fiat) - couldn't design and build a reliable 4-cylinder engine in 3 years... As much as I can see the benefits - light weight, more efficient - I don't like the idea of 4-Cylinder engines in a Formula 1 car. Unless the next Renaultsport M?gane gets a 400bhp 1.6 turbo V4 that revs to 15,000rpm, there's no benefits for the rest of us. We want noise, dammit! What's an engine like that going to sound like? Rubbish. There should be a choice. There was in the '70s and '80s, and there can be now (there may also be a return for ground effects). Teams can choose between Ferrari's cheaper-sounding option of a V8-minus-2, which is normally aspirated, or this turbo V4. Set a power limit so that turbo-teams can't just turn the wick up when they need to win and there you go: an evenly-powered grid with the kind if engine they want. Unless they want a V8. Cool engines aren't allowed any more...

September 8, 2010 2:48 pm

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4 replies

rho88

Seriously, what's a V4? Do you mean an I4? Because I've never seen a V4 as most of them are inline. Building a 4cyl might present quite a challenge as the whole weight distribution of the car will be different. So basically not only do they have to come out with a reliable and powerful engine, teams need to design a whole new chassis that is for sure very far from what they have now. It will also affects aerodynamics, etc. So in all, they have to start from zero for the whole car. Having a v6 will be easier.

September 8, 2010 9:51 pm

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SunnyY

Honda makes V4 engine for its VFR (US model name) motorcycles

September 8, 2010 11:40 pm

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sideskraper

rho98: This is an entirely new formula and all teams will have to design different cars in order to comply with it. This means the chassis and most other components.

September 9, 2010 3:09 am

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rho88

SunnyY: Like I said most 4 cyl engines are inline, not V. Subaru has a boxer 4. Sideskraper: Redesigning yes. But having to deal with a 4cyl instead of a V6 means a lot more work. Basically all they know about F1 with a V8 is scrap. Taking 2 cylinders out to make a V6 is the easiest solution. Making a car work with 4cyl will be technically more challenging. Even the exhaust systems will be completely different with a inline 4... whereas a V6 will keep the basic same configuration as a V8 (minus 2).

September 9, 2010 10:01 pm

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spamme

I'm glad I was in a race back in 2004, I'll never forget those screaming V10's making my ears bleed.

September 9, 2010 2:05 am

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StraightSix

I would like to see a formula with 2 litre naturally aspirated straight 8 engines. The Bugatti type 35 had such an engine and it sounded amazing.

September 9, 2010 5:37 am

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