Prior to the launch of the Macan, many figured that the new compact SUV would be the first Porsche to have a four-cylinder engine in a long, long time. The German company then launched its new model with an all turbo V6 engine lineup. Beating the Macan to feature Porsche’s first four banger in two decades is this – the upcoming Porsche LMP1 race car.
Yes, you read that right – Mark Webber’s new company car will indeed run on just four-cylinders, albeit heavily assisted by not one, but two energy recuperation systems. The direct-injection petrol (presumably turbocharged) engine will work the rear tyres, while the two harvesters will power a big electric motor that runs the front wheels.
Porsche’s approach to the World Endurance Championship’s wide-open engine regulations starkly differs from those of Audi and Toyota. Its seasoned rivals field a turbodiesel V6 and a naturally-aspirated petrol V8 respectively, each assisted by an electric motor fed by a single energy recuperation system.
Now who would have thought that Mark Webber escaped F1’s dreaded downsized V6 engines, only to jump to a four banger? We will find out if Porsche has made the right decision when the WEC season starts in April next year, with the holy grain of endurance races – the 24 Hours of Le Mans – set to run in June.
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The legend in LeMans has back. Matched with Mark Webber, 2014 is gonna be a competitive season.
Porsche had long proven and holding very impressive in endurance racing records.
I believe they won’t take long to be competitive.
This beast is created to maintain their no. 1 spot on Le mans 24 hr race win. Currently Audi are sitting on second spot with 10 wins, 6 shy frm the Porsche record.
I hope Mercedes Benz, Mclaren and Ferrari will
return on the same league again soon.
It is actually 12 wins for Audi at the 24 hours of Le Mans and although Audi did have their victories more concentrated, within 14 years they had won 12 versus Porsche’s 16 wins in 29 years, Porsche were faced with much more and tougher competition. I must agree with you I would love to see Mercedes-Benz return and even BMW, although I don’t know if Ferrari would be able to keep up on efficiency as a premise to the future of WEC and TUSCC.
Happy to see Mark Webber again. Noticed that he doesnt look as gaunt/underweight as the F1 days due to having to starve to match Seb Vettel’s size & weight (who is smaller & lighter) as Adrian Newey designed the Red Bull to Vettel’s specifications.
holy grain?