[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by canaglia

Sure, flat engines have lower centre of mass because their block have a shorter height and most of parts are distributed horizontally rather than vertically as V layout engines. Biggest problem is that flat engines are insanely wide which is a big handicap considering racing engines aim to be as more compact as possible. Flat/Boxer/V180^ engines have almost disappeared from street cars, are used in porsche and subaru mainly as a heritage trademark than else. Funny side of the matter is that everyone usually relates flat engines to porsche, when flat engines were actually commonly used by ferrari as well.

Indeed, Ferrari used their flat-12 boxer engine in their series of F1 312B cars and their 312P Group 6 Prototype-Sports Car.

[broadrun96]

And keep in mind the cars used as the basis for LMDh(GTP now) use a Gibson V8 so the architecture just isn't there to fit a flat 6. The Nissan, well ESM/Ligier guys had a hard enough time fitting their engines in there. Oreca has done a better job but apparently still some issues early on

[Pandamasque]

I was talking about a hypothetical LMH with a flat 6, which definitely would be possible. The huge wheelbase of modern prototypes ensures the gearbox is long so the diffuser and suspension points would be well behind the engine block, the turbo bits could be on top of the engine, as they would be with a V6 anyway.

LMDh in turn seems to only allow V6 and V8, maybe an i4, but so far nobody went for that. Most likely they'll all be turbocharged, except Cadillac.

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Indeed, Ferrari used their flat-12 boxer engine in their series of F1 312B cars and their 312P Group 6 Prototype-Sports Car.

yeah, is quite strange sometimes to find out that nowadays for everyone
flat engine = porsche
ignoring that ferrari was into flat engines up to mid 90's

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

I was talking about a hypothetical LMH with a flat 6, which definitely would be possible. The huge wheelbase of modern prototypes ensures the gearbox is long so the diffuser and suspension points would be well behind the engine block, the turbo bits could be on top of the engine, as they would be with a V6 anyway.

LMDh in turn seems to only allow V6 and V8, maybe an i4, but so far nobody went for that. Most likely they'll all be turbocharged, except Cadillac.

And Porsche expressed ZERO interest in that path so again, arguing what coulda happened in the face of what was not going to happen makes you look like you can't read the room. They were NOT making an LMH or they would have started on that instead.

[chernaudi]

And the RS Spyder had a V8 (which formed the basis of the engine in the 918 supercar), due to constraints such as running a diffuser and other packaging related issues. The never raced Porsche LMP900 also used a V10 that would be cannibalized for the Carrera GT.

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

I was talking about a hypothetical LMH with a flat 6, which definitely would be possible. The huge wheelbase of modern prototypes ensures the gearbox is long so the diffuser and suspension points would be well behind the engine block, the turbo bits could be on top of the engine, as they would be with a V6 anyway.

LMDh in turn seems to only allow V6 and V8, maybe an i4, but so far nobody went for that. Most likely they'll all be turbocharged, except Cadillac.

Following this hypothetical logic, LMH could be using also W16 engines...
this won't be happening because flat or other unusual layout simply won't let enough room for anything else around. As I've written before, ask yourself why porsche and subaru aside, no other manufacturers are producing flat engines anymore for their road cars.
Probably work hybrid LMH will be all turbo because are way more efficient and for the simple reason that ICE power needs to be decreased in real time everytime ERS boost is released to not exceed bop mandated power/torque curve. With a turbo engine that's quite reasonable easy to do since turbo pressures can be automatically decreased via ECU settings.

[PascaLM]

I am surprised that the photo has not been published here yet. Endurance 24 told me that the photo was taken by Porsche.

[philipp]

Originally Posted by PascaLM

I am surprised that the photo has not been published here yet. Endurance 24 told me that the photo was taken by Porsche.

It doesn't look like a Porsche...
don't like it

[broadrun96]

Meh, looks like they were taped on the front of the car, or photoshopped on. Not a great look

And yes, it was Porsche twitter reveal of the headlights

https://twitter.com/PorscheRaces/sta...h-prototype%2F

Racer brought up a decent point, maybe the design is supposed to be Taycan when actually installed on the car

[canaglia]

headlights are a longer version of the ones used on the 935 bodywork of 911 gt2 rs clubsport

[FIRE]

The headlights in combination with rest of the car look weird.

[Simmi]

Some more PR info on the recent Barcelona test. Looks great I think. And glad the coloured pit lane lights seem to be making a return.

https://presse.porsche.de/prod/press...sionid=1289822

[joeb]

Those pit lights look nice!

The headlights may turn out to look ok once we see the final car and livery. From the side it looked decent, but still odd head on.

[FIRE]

On these photos it looks already nicer.

[canaglia]

I've read porsche had a 2000km test at Montmelo and they started also doing tyres and set-up focused simulations... considering ferrari and probably bmw and cadillac as well won't be test before summer, that's a huge advantage for porsche.

[Simmi]

A nice video edit from the test too - https://twitter.com/PorscheRaces/sta...86171228540936

Ahead of the pack in so many ways.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Simmi

A nice video edit from the test too - https://twitter.com/PorscheRaces/sta...86171228540936

Ahead of the pack in so many ways.

Some excellent footage and an excellent looking car.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Simmi

A nice video edit from the test too - https://twitter.com/PorscheRaces/sta...86171228540936

Ahead of the pack in so many ways.

It's a shame the hybrid system is still not available. But I guess they can simulate some of that and work on all the other new car stuff.

[S griffin]

Another masterpiece by Porsche. Can't wait to see them back in the top class. They are part of the DNA of sportscar racing

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Another masterpiece by Porsche. Can't wait to see them back in the top class. They are part of the DNA of sportscar racing

multimatic:

[AndrewCherry]

Obviously hard to draw any conclusions from a flatteringly edited whizzy video, but going by the classic "if it looks fast..." approach to engineering, they seem to be on the right track. Given their previous history and knowledge about constructing cars not too dissimilar to this (and clearly they're going to have carried over as much know-how from the 919 [Evo] as possible) I'm expecting them to hit the ground running. BoP aside, I would put them as up there amongst the favourites for '23, given the background and experience they'll be drawing on.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Mike E

It's a shame the hybrid system is still not available. But I guess they can simulate some of that and work on all the other new car stuff.

https://twitter.com/PorscheRaces/sta...07384202158086

This cheeky little reply on Twitter seems to imply they were running the hybrid unit.

[Mike E]

Interesting

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Simmi

https://twitter.com/PorscheRaces/sta...07384202158086

This cheeky little reply on Twitter seems to imply they were running the hybrid unit.

Yup, Racer reported the same thing that they were told the car has the full system installed and was being tested as well. But would make sense as they tagged MP and DSC in the tweet