3 ms·
Current generation F1 engines for example, are limited to just 1.6L (97 cubic inch) displacement, and teams are not allowed to refuel during the race. This forc
by LeonM 4y ago
Current generation F1 engines for example, are limited to just 1.6L (97 cubic inch) displacement, and teams are not allowed to refuel during the race. This forces engineers to design more efficient engines (less fuel equals less weight). Last season's cars were reported to achieve over 50% thermal efficiency (compared to ~20% for a regular road-going car) and close to 1000hp.
Whether this technology actually trickles down to production vehicles is debatable. But traditionally racing has been the incentive for major advances to be made in efficiency, aerodynamics, drivetrain components, tyres etc.
- arethuza 4y agoWorth noting that seventy years ago we had 1.5L V16 F1 engines producing 600HP https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Racing_Motors_V16 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Racing_Motors_V16 They weren't the most reliable things though....
- scarier 4y agoI mean, in the 1980s turbo era F1 engines were putting out way more than that--try around 1000 hp/l! That was done with absurd levels of boost, fuel that bore little to no chemical resemblance to gasoline, and engines with a life expectancy (in qualifying trim) measured in single-digit laps. The advances in modern engines' efficiency and reliability are staggering. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M12 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M12