Porsche LMP1 Powered by Turbo Inline 4?

"Bakkster, touring car driver" (Bakkster)
08/27/2013 at 12:16 • Filed to: motorsports, porsche, wec, le mans

Via !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , the latest Porsche press images show a single off-center exhaust. Speculation is that this indicates an inline engine with a turbocharger. This seems to be confirmation of previous rumors of a turbo I4 plant.

DISCUSSION (21)

6cyl > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 12:18

I love the way the are doing brake lights

Mikeado > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 12:21

If you click on Our Mission on this page , there's a video with a brief sound bite that could be an inline-4.

I was hoping that if it was a 4-cylinder then it would be a flat-four that would go in the next-gen Boxster/Cayman base model, so they could give it some Le Mans cred and put it in a "New 914".

Bakkster, touring car driver > 6cyl
08/27/2013 at 12:23

Very similar to the Audi lights.

Kinja'd!!!

TheBaron2112 > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 12:28

4 cylinder?

I'm sure Porsche knows what they're doing but... I'm less excited now.

Bakkster, touring car driver > TheBaron2112
08/27/2013 at 12:33

Welcome to the future of motor racing.

Don't forget, the foundation of next year's engine regulations are that all balancing is done in terms of fuel efficiency. Everyone gets the same amount of fuel per lap, the team that goes fastest with it wins. Turbo I4 is a solid solution to that engineering problem.

minardi > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 12:37

They have to go like Audi, a mix of electro and turbo

Bakkster, touring car driver > minardi
08/27/2013 at 12:38

Of course they need an ERS as mandated by the rules, this is just the 4-stroke they've chosen. A turbo isn't required, but I doubt anyone will be without one given the importance of fuel economy next season.

Kake Bake > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 12:39

Don't be silly, that's the s-video port.

Kinja'd!!!

Porsches aren't in hi-def yet.

TheBaron2112 > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 12:44

I had a feeling it was based on the new regulations.

Hopefully it will serve them well in reliability and speed.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 13:10

Is that the exhaust?

There was a 'Racer's Edge' before the 24 with Craig Scarborough talking about how aerodynamically advanced today's LMP1 cars are. I am surprised Porsche isnt implementing a blown diffuser.

LandSpeed-DSM > TheBaron2112
08/27/2013 at 13:55

Many an I4 can make as much and more power than the current configurations currently do. It all depends on what size restrictors they call for on the compressor housing inlet.. This year they were allowed a 42mm inlet on the single Garrett TR30R that was feeding the 3.7L Diesel. Combined with the hybrid systems will make for a ton of fun.

Besides an I4 sounds like half a flatplane V8, which so many here ruin their shorts over.. what's the problem?

TheBaron2112 > LandSpeed-DSM
08/27/2013 at 13:58

I think my lower excitement level is due to "4 cylinders." In a world where Porsches at Le Mans have at least 6, it just seems wrong. That and I already drive an inline-4 Porsche. So that experience is all I have to work on :P

At the end of the day, Porsche is back at Le Mans. I want them to win so bad.

Matt Urban > TheBaron2112
08/27/2013 at 16:06

What's the big deal with displacement?? Asks the King of the Mountain

Kinja'd!!!

Bakkster, touring car driver > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
08/27/2013 at 17:28

They probably would, but EBDs are banned. Exhausts need to exit on top of the bodywork and be completely visible from top and side. It can't be anything but the exhaust.

SteyrTMP > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 17:47

Note: This is without re-reading the regulations for 2014, but my guess is this: if Porsche does decide to use a I4, or H-4, the purpose is for fuel economy, but even more so, the lack of restrictions. All the larger engines are being starved with restrictor plates and what have it, whereas something small is free to do as they please.

Which makes me wonder... WTF? Did someone let Al Gore on the FIA board? Who gives a shit? Bring the big engines back. Stop regulating everything to death. Race cars shouldn't have to do 150mpg. Noone cares. F1 is bad enough, now WEC... ::sigh:: Maybe it's time for a new racing leadership, a new association that can look FIA in the face and say "Fuck you".

Bakkster, touring car driver > SteyrTMP
08/27/2013 at 18:05

Absolutely for fuel economy. That's because balance will be performed on the basis of engine efficiency instead of with restrictor plates. This isn't a new idea, Group C used a similar fuel limit, the difference was that limit was per race (meaning you got fuel economy runs at the end) and the new limit will be per lap.

I'm actually in favor of this method, because it does make the engine formula very open without making it ludicrously expensive. Unlike F1 which is mandating turbo V6, you can basically run whatever you want in P1. Fuel economy is just the easiest method of balancing engines and is pretty free from politics (only thing up for debate really is the petrol/diesel conversion rate). Bring an 8L W16 if you think you can make it faster than the guy who brings a 2.0L I4 or 5.0L V8.

Bakkster, touring car driver > SteyrTMP
08/27/2013 at 18:22

Also, I'm planning a Kinja post distilling the most important regulation changes for next year for later this week. Hopefully you will find it informative.

Foxtrotzed - Internet Sensation of 2010 > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 22:35

Didn't slug through bodywork/exhaust regs in ver. 7/final yet. No more Audi wheel well diffuser edge sealing? I wonder if they can pull off a current F1 coanda/downwash effect. I suppose there'd need to be some sort of opening and I suppose that's why Audi have their current solution.

Foxtrotzed - Internet Sensation of 2010 > Mikeado
08/27/2013 at 22:40

But everybody knows the coolest 914's were the 914-6's. I think Porsche (Fred) might have something to say about that. Whilst I agree that it kind of sounds like it could be an I4, my base for that is the Mazda AER MZR-R P80 (new direct injection this year) that Dyson run. I thought it sounded kind of turbo-6 ish. Somewhere between the 2014 spec F1 and the current Indycar V6.

Foxtrotzed - Internet Sensation of 2010 > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/27/2013 at 22:47

I've been meaning to point out that multiple ERS systems are both legal and somewhat encouraged. I've got a feeling the small displacement turbo engines will be going for some sort of turbo based ERS in addition to their traction KERS.

With F1 moving to a thermal energy recovery system in the turbos, and 2014 spec engines allowed (however, as was pointed out on twitter, probably not cost effective) it may behoove an engine supplier to provide a similar solution to remain competitive. You've better believe Audi are working on one. In fact, Mike at Mulsanne's had the article regarding the compressed air system that was outright ruled out in testing, deemed illegal.

With that in mind, I think turbo placement may not necessarily be symmetrical, or seen in a traditional packaging solution. If there are more devices to be fitted, maybe, even with a v type cylinder arrangement, the exhaust is off center

Bakkster, touring car driver > Foxtrotzed - Internet Sensation of 2010
08/28/2013 at 06:52

If I've read it correctly, they get two ERS systems?