VIDEO: 2014 Mercedes F1 turbo V6 engine in action

Formula 1 is joining the engine downsizing movement next year, with brand new 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines in play. This video of a 2014 Mercedes-Benz AMG V6 F1 Power Unit running a virtual lap around the Monza track gives us an idea of how the revamped F1 grid will sound like next season.

It’s not quite as high-pitched as the current 2.4 litre V8s, which, in itself is rather tame compared to wild old V10s and V12s from years before. Blame that on the imposed 15,000 rpm limit. Aside from the pitch though, it doesn’t sound all bad, does it? Have a listen and voice your comments below.

Notice the many gearchanges (more than you’d hear in current cars) throughout the lap? Get used to it, as next year’s cars will have an eight-speed gearbox, one more than before. No biggie for Mercedes-Benz, as the company has already launched its nine-speed 9G-TRONIC transmission for its road cars.

If you’re wondering why the ‘car’ is invisible, that’s because the driver sits in a life-size F1 cockpit while in the simulator, so the projected screen doesn’t need to have a visual representation of the car. Having the wheels appear where they should, relative to the driver’s point of view, is enough for a near life-like feel.

The 2014 Mercedes F1 turbo V6 will see duty in the works Mercedes AMG Petronas team, as well as existing customer outfits McLaren and Force India. Williams have signed on to use Mercedes power too from next year on, but McLaren will only run it for one season before jumping ship to join F1-returnee Honda in 2015.

Fellow F1 engine supplier Renault have unveiled its 2014 Power Unit too, officially named Renault Energy F1. Red Bull, Lotus, Toro Rosso and Caterham will use Renault power, leaving Ferrari to supply its own team, Sauber and Marussia.

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • How much of this engine is related to the E250?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • racefan on Aug 08, 2013 at 8:10 pm

      No relation. But here’s hoping MB will try to infuse some of the F1 engine tech into road cars. Not sure what exactly because many of the new tech in this new F1 engine was seen first in road cars.

      In contrast, Audi has done an effective job of launching technologies in Le Mans, then introducing into road cars. A bit harder to do the same with F1 because the race machines are further removed from what you and I drive on the road.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • PauKaya on Aug 07, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    horrible sounding engine. le mans is already ruined by diesel engine sounds. soon f1.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
  • Norman on Aug 07, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    Like it or not its all about cost savings.15000 rpm limit meaning engine can be reused.The 1.6 twin turbo V6 good enough churns out 250hp/300nm top speed of 320kmh

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 17
    • 250 hp? you think this is for their a class is it. its projected to produce around 750hp

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
    • Bro, if F1 cars has 250HP, they wouldn’t be called F1 cars.:)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
    • Single turbo only, not twin turbo. Engines are predicted to make in the region of 650hp (down from ~750hp), with an additional 150 from energy recovery systems.

      All said, it will never sound as good as the V10 days but of it keeps the series alive and relevant, I’m all for it. Besides, the turbo cars from the 80’s were terrifying! (albeit producing around 100hp and up to 1500hp in qualifying trim)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Carl Wong on Aug 08, 2013 at 1:01 am

    Maintaining performance with lower RPMs and less emissions which I think is great……..!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • racefan on Aug 08, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    Don’t mean to spoil the write up but the MB 9G-tronic autobox in road going cars will be as similar to the F1 box as ‘chalk and cheese’.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • It sounded a little empty….
    Engine rev sounded high but lacking of those desirable screaming V10 engines…

    What a sad case…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • shooter on Aug 09, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    “If you’re wondering why the ‘car’ is invisible, that’s because the driver sits in a life-size F1 cockpit while in the simulator, so the projected screen doesn’t need to have a visual representation of the car. Having the wheels appear where they should, relative to the driver’s point of view, is enough for a near life-like feel. ”

    gamers call it first person view. if the view is from back, it’s called third person view.

    inb4 : FPS – first person shooter

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Sounds a little less exciting compared to current one…hope when hear it in live it will sounds better…another means to save cost by the sports governing body n also to promote the sports as earth friendly as possible while still retaining its excitement level if not mistaken…part of their long term planning of some sort

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • F1 FAN on Mar 21, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    Sounds like a bloody mosquito

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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