[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[Spyderman]

Porsche tests at Lausitzring:
http://www.speedweek.com//wec/news/4...usitzring.html

[Spyderman]

Neel Jani seems pleased:neel jani ‏@neeljani1h
Had a good first test with @Porsche #LMP1! Looking forward to go racing with that car!

[Gingers4Justice]

Can that noise really be being made by 4 cylinders? Sounds very low and drony....more like what you'd expect a Porsche to sound like, in fact.

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Neel Jani seems pleased:neel jani ‏@neeljani1h
Had a good first test with @Porsche #LMP1! Looking forward to go racing with that car!

Interesting comment by Neel about the lithium-ion batteries: "nuclear power" as he says

[Eryk03]

Short gears, it's quiet. Hmmm diesel engine.

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by Eryk03

Short gears, it's quiet. Hmmm diesel engine.

Who knows ?

[Eryk03]

Anyone who watched the video.

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by Eryk03

Anyone who watched the video.

I did, but I am somewhat reluctant to draw the conclusion that it IS a diesel engine. It doesn't sound any louder than the V6 TDI for sure...

[avvelenamento]

It sounds a lot like a diesel engine, but maybe porsche is using an exhaust silencer to don't give any clue to the people (and competitors) who is watching that video. Also short gears are quite interesting, usually diesel engines need longer gears because of the extreme low revving, it makes think that porsche lmp1 will use a 7 speed gear.

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by avvelenamento

It sounds a lot like a diesel engine, but maybe porsche is using an exhaust silencer to don't give any clue to the people (and competitors) who is watching that video. Also short gears are quite interesting, usually diesel engines need longer gears because of the extreme low revving, it makes think that porsche lmp1 will use a 7 speed gear.

The engine sound may also be affected by the potential use of an Exhaust Energy Recovery System.

[Gingers4Justice]

We've been told several times that Porsche are running a petrol engine and that VAG sanctioned the competition with them and Audi on the understanding they would race different technologies.

[Eryk03]

Actually it sounds a lot louder than R18.

[Dario911]

Porsche won't give any indication about its engine, so they've modified with silencers the noise of the car.
It sounds obvious! All that mistery about the engine... and now they let all ears may listen it, discovering the secret?
However, noise seems to be that of a 4-L turbocharged engine...
Too much loud to be a diesel!

[deggis]

Originally Posted by avvelenamento

but maybe porsche is using an exhaust silencer to don't give any clue to the people (and competitors) who is watching that video.

I wish I could believe that because that sound is just uninspiring, but how far do you think it makes sense to cover this up? The competitor who is watching this video and who has not already made their own engine choice, is probably not going to be much of a competitor next year...

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by deggis

I wish I could believe that because that sound is just uninspiring, but how far do you think it makes sense to cover this up? The competitor who is watching this video and who has not already made their own engine choice, is probably not going to be much of a competitor next year...

I would imagine that if Porsche is using this tactic it's so they get to release the details as and when they want to. With the exception of the Webber deal, almost everything we know about the project was released by Porsche themselves to make the biggest splash possible.

I'm guessing the engine specs will be released with the name of the car.

[deggis]

But seems like a lot of work for very little reward as the car will not invisible or completely silent anyway. I'd rather believe that they just put "some exhaust" on it and sound tuning is for later.

I think the wind is also playing tricks and taking a bit away from the volume as clearly those vids were not shot with the highest quality camera ever. Unless it is just the wind, in the shorter video sounds like there is another louder car on the track.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

I would imagine that if Porsche is using this tactic it's so they get to release the details as and when they want to. With the exception of the Webber deal, almost everything we know about the project was released by Porsche themselves to make the biggest splash possible.

Agree with you about wanting to announce things on their terms.

But I would contest the notion they released things in order to make the biggest splash.

First anyone heard of this officially was the YouTube video dropped on June 30 2011 - pretty much three weeks after Le Mans.

The Bernhard/Dumas announcement was classic reactionary stuff following the Webber rumours.

No one is perfect. I suppose it's always going to be a huge PR challenge to get something like this set up and announced. When you've got the engineering side and also the boardroom stuff to factor in.

Maybe they'd hoped to announce at Le Mans but couldn't get final sign-off in time? Who knows.

One thing for sure is that when it comes to generating buzz, rumour and conjecture - we the fans do all their work for them

[avvelenamento]

Beyond sound, if they are using the same DTM layout for testing, it would be great to know the 10 fastest laps. So we can compare them to DTM that basicly have the same lmp2 pace.

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by Simmi

One thing for sure is that when it comes to generating buzz, rumour and conjecture - we the fans do all their work for them

Power of marketing...

[Articus]

I don't really see the point of being secretive about the engine at this point...For all the of the P1 factories who are entering in 2014 if you are just planning now(in late august) to build an engine to copy Porsche you are screwed...At this point Toyota and Audi and Honda have already made their decisions regarding there own engines so what does Porsche have to lose?? Any 2015 manufacturer is going to find out about its engine naturally in 2014 anyway so once again what do they have to lose by releasing specs. Its not like anyone follows sportscars anyway (I say that with both realism and sarcasm) compared to some other things.

[avvelenamento]

new theory: strange low sound of the engine because is set to rev idle (or however very low revving) when electric boost is released soon after the car accelerates again after a brake?
Anyway if 2014 toyota and porsche engines won't rev over 6500rpm, surely I can't expect a great and louder sound.

[Tim240z]

Could the low noise be in relation to the rumored 5 stroke engine? Using a pair of cylinders for exhaust recovery could definitely quiet and engine down. Could also throw some confusion as to the physical configuration of the engine itself.

[Flo aus N]

Originally Posted by Tim240z

Could the low noise be in relation to the rumored 5 stroke engine? Using a pair of cylinders for exhaust recovery could definitely quiet and engine down. Could also throw some confusion as to the physical configuration of the engine itself.

Simple answer: No. regulations state, that you have to use a 4 stroke engine.

[Brownj]

Sounds a lot like a turbo 4 cylinder or turbo 6 cylinder. The low rev limit reminds me a lot of the HPD turbo 6 in the LMP2 car.

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by avvelenamento

new theory: strange low sound of the engine because is set to rev idle (or however very low revving) when electric boost is released soon after the car accelerates again after a brake?
Anyway if 2014 toyota and porsche engines won't rev over 6500rpm, surely I can't expect a great and louder sound.

May be. This kind of management of the engine may be a good idea to reduce further fuel consumption.
About noise, it seems its time is over in races. F1s and protos will be less noisy than ever!