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Speed Freak

2690 Views 18 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  choatie88
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'.....The 600 hp twin-turbo V-8 engine is a highly modified evolution of a V-8 that Nissan developed.....' - say it isn't so! Nissan engine!
Just been reading it. So did McLaren design the engine for Nissan originally?
Ok, so I know McLaren don't design F1 engines, they didn't design the engines in any of the SLR's or indeed in the F1 road car. So exactly what did they design for the 12C if it actually based on Nissan deigned engine? I thought everything was a 'blank paper design'.
Think it was a collaborative process with Ricardo, although McLaren would have stipulated the spec brief (weight, torque, power, response, etc.). Doesn't seem like much was actually carried over from the original race motor, except perhaps bore, v-angle, etc.
You'll have to explain further please.
McLaren designs a car from scratch to their own specification, a 'blank paper' design. Then it goes looking or an engine from other car manufacturers that fits the brief rather than actually designing an engine (or having one designed) - presumably approaching a lot of potential engine suppliers/car manufacturers? Why? Cost?
McLaren then I assume negotiates to buy the rights to this engine from Nissan. Hands the purchased design to Ricardo who then adapt it to meet the required spec for the 12C and obviously other later models. Surely they are using more than bore and v angle, otherwise why buy the design - unless I don't understand the significance of the bore size and v angle?
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