[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[gwyllion]

Mike did his usual analysis of the Porsche images: http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsmay13.html

He expects that most manufacturers will use a front hybrid system for better weight distribution, because the 120 km/h rule is gone in the 2014 regulations.

[MitchZ06]

Wonder if Toyota will follow suit?

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by PorscheFanNo1

So outright speed over a lap is the only quality you are looking for in a driver for LeMans24...? :P

I'm not sure where you got that from, but if you think that speed (or lap times) are of no consequence, then so be it.

[wewantourdarbyback]

The livery does it's job very well, you have to really look hard to see the lines of the car.

There's a huge difference in the solution at the front to the current cars, the big gap to utilise a front wing is interesting and I'm intrigued as to what they may be hiding at the back with every photo being taken from the same angle.

[Eryk03]

Diesel engines in LPM1 become unattractive by Audi because their dominance rules discriminate against diesel engines. Audi could do a car that did not have any competition but management is trying to slow down the Audi to the close battle with the opponent.

[Spyderman]

Perhaps that should have been posted in the Audi thread. No?

[PorscheFanNo1]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I'm not sure where you got that from, but if you think that speed (or lap times) are of no consequence, then so be it.

Ofcourse they are important, just saying that theres been many fast drivers at LeMans (like ex F1 drivers) that has been very fast over a lap, but not able to be consistantly fast in changing conditions, taking care of the car/tyres, working well with other team mate, staying away from the slower traffic (altho that nowdays seem to be a problem for everyone).

[Spyderman]

Yes - I think you are preaching to the converted. One would assume that being Porsche factory drivers, they would have all the qualities required to be excellent endurance racing drivers (Porsche doesn't recruit haphazardly). What we don't know yet (in many of the cases) is how fast they are in an LMP1. That is what my post was getting at.

[Eryk03]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Perhaps that should have been posted in the Audi thread. No?

I mean, petrol engine can be better choice for Porsche but in 2014 rules are change and engine engineers will have room for performances.

[Thaw Daggerslash]

Originally Posted by deggis

Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller:

Will you race against Audi, which, like Porsche, is a Volkswagen-owned marque?
MM: At that time the decision is that Audi takes place in LMP1, and we [do] also, so Audi will be a competitor, yes.

(Sept 2012) http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120910/ALMS/120919979

And weirder things have happened: Peugeot and Citroen were direct competitors in WRC in the early 2000s.

Am I missing something? Why do people think that Audi and Porsche racing each other is a bad thing?

Surely, if anything, VWAG should be pleased to have two of its brands competing for outright victory at Le Mans. Increases the chance of success, after all.

[knighty]

Originally Posted by Eryk03

Diesel engines in LPM1 become unattractive by Audi because their dominance rules discriminate against diesel engines. Audi could do a car that did not have any competition but management is trying to slow down the Audi to the close battle with the opponent.

My sources are indicating the new porsche LMP1 engine is a small capacity turbocharged gasoline direct injection item, in the region of 1.8 to 2.2 litres capacity........so this does tally with my other post on the other Porsche thread that VW do pay Porsches pay cheques and the engine project is relevant to VW's direction on road car engines, which are small capacity 3 and 4 cylinder turbo gasoline engines........so forget and nostalgic engine sounds........the tyres and KERS will make more noise!!!!

[MitchZ06]

I was going to guess a twin turbo 2L flat-6....

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by Eryk03

I mean, petrol engine can be better choice for Porsche but in 2014 rules are change and engine engineers will have room for performances.

Porsche will use a turbocharged petrol engine, and that's the natural choice for the Stuttgart brand. Porsche has always believed in turbo technology, so I think this choice is the best one. It will have a lot of positive feedback in marketing, and will confirm Porsche as the leader in this kind of technology.
Displacement may be 2.0 L, but I'm not sure it'll be a boxer engine, unless they make it structural. Anyway, it'll be a winning car.

[Velociraptor]

Any indication of what Audi will do next year with the engine capacity? Staying the same?

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by knighty

My sources are indicating the new porsche LMP1 engine is a small capacity turbocharged gasoline direct injection item, in the region of 1.8 to 2.2 litres capacity........so this does tally with my other post on the other Porsche thread that VW do pay Porsches pay cheques and the engine project is relevant to VW's direction on road car engines, which are small capacity 3 and 4 cylinder turbo gasoline engines........so forget and nostalgic engine sounds........the tyres and KERS will make more noise!!!!

Yes, this tallies with what I posted on the Porsche vs Ferrari thread and what my sources have also said.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Dario911

Porsche will use a turbocharged petrol engine, and that's the natural choice for the Stuttgart brand. Porsche has always believed in turbo technology, so I think this choice is the best one. It will have a lot of positive feedback in marketing, and will confirm Porsche as the leader in this kind of technology.

I know you're Porsche fan, but the way the 2014 regs are turbo engine is a natural choice for pretty much any manufacturer. Did the P2 Spyder use a turbo engine? Indeed, because first comes what the regs say, then comes the marketing needs (except if you're Audi and dictate the whole regs around your marketing needs... )

[zanfo zanfagni]

According to dario911, porsche would be the best even as space shuttle manufacturer. In my opinion only manufacturers that currently produce A-D segment cars with turbo engines have the best knowldege of this technology. Agree with deggis, 2014 lmp1 cars must to consume less, to consume less engines need to rev lower, turbo engine is the natural best choice.

[knighty]

I forgot to say, the engine is not a flat-6........from what I hear the engine will be the same as Audis new DTM engine, so a 4 cylinder I4.......they are all VAG companies, so it makes sense to share some comonality

[vincegail]

Although I understand it completely, I shudder with disgust by reading this....

[Pandamasque]

+1 I shudder with meh

[Tim240z]

The entire car is "meh"

Its alright looking, but far from gorgeous or revolutionary

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by knighty

I forgot to say, the engine is not a flat-6........from what I hear the engine will be the same as Audis new DTM engine, so a 4 cylinder I4.......they are all VAG companies, so it makes sense to share some comonality

Just so we are completely clear: Are you saying that it is the same engine as the Audi's new DTM engine, or are you saying it has the same configuration? I find it very hard to believe that Porsche would race with anything else besides a Porsche developed engine.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Just so we are completely clear: Are you saying that it is the same engine as the Audi's new DTM engine, or are you saying it has the same configuration? I find it very hard to believe that Porsche would race with anything else besides a Porsche developed engine.

Audi - well Abt - on the other hand, has no such scruples... back in 2000-2003 the TT-RS in DTM was powered by a modified BMW engine.

[Spyderman]

The funny thing is that there has been rumors of Porsche developing a small 4 cylinder turbo engine for months. It was always assumed that it would be for road-car use. (new entry level car or entry level Boxster). I suspect it was this engine all along.

[zanfo zanfagni]

Originally Posted by knighty

I forgot to say, the engine is not a flat-6........from what I hear the engine will be the same as Audis new DTM engine, so a 4 cylinder I4.......they are all VAG companies, so it makes sense to share some comonality

Interesting rumor, I think that toyota too will use the 2.0 L4 taken from GT500 for the 2014 car.