A System 1 automobile with all-wheel drive or powered by a two-stroke engine. What might sound like science fiction had been truly severe proposals for the 2026 rules. Technological limitations and the pursuits of particular person producers finally led to an evolution of the present energy items, however the automobiles debuting subsequent 12 months might have been very totally different from what the general public is used to. Right here’s how.
The 2-stroke thought
In 2020, Pat Symonds, then System 1’s technical director, spoke at a Motorsport Trade Affiliation convention in regards to the ongoing work on new rules: “We have to begin what our future energy items will probably be like. […] I’m very excited that we’re engaged on the concept of a two-stroke engine, which is at present rather more environment friendly, has fewer points than previously, and might ship an excellent sound.”
In a two-stroke engine, the consumption, compression, combustion, growth, and exhaust phases of the air-fuel combination are accomplished in a single engine rotation, in contrast to the 2 rotations required in a four-stroke engine. The consumption and exhaust fluid frequencies match the engine’s, permitting the method to be managed by ports opened and closed by the pistons themselves, eliminating the necessity for distribution parts reminiscent of valves and camshafts.
With the identical displacement, a two-stroke engine has the potential to supply better torque and energy. Nevertheless, through the years, four-stroke expertise has prevailed on account of higher effectivity and decrease gas consumption. System 1 was optimistic about closing this hole due to advances in supplies, which are actually extra resistant, and digital CFD simulations. Mixed with new direct injection methods, these developments might have optimized fluid dynamics and maximized cylinder quantity utilization whereas finishing your entire combustion cycle in a single engine rotation as an alternative of two.
Opposed-piston engines
The 2-stroke venture went even additional, embracing the concept of an opposed-piston engine. This design options two pistons per cylinder, dealing with one another and shifting towards and away from each other throughout operation. This structure improves power conversion from combustion into helpful work by stopping warmth loss by the ceiling of a standard combustion chamber, which is changed by the second piston. In line with SAE (the Society of Automotive Engineers), on the time, two-stroke opposed-piston engines promised an effectivity of 55%, surpassing the 50% effectivity of present energy items.
Listening to Pat Symonds, making use of this expertise in System 1 was greater than only a suggestion: “The idea of an opposed-piston engine is making a comeback and is already being utilized in some highway fashions with an effectivity of round 50%. Direct injection, pressurized cost, and new ignition techniques have made fashionable two-stroke engines extremely environment friendly and compliant with present emissions rules. I feel they’ve a great future.” Nevertheless, these phrases didn’t result in additional developments.
All-wheel drive
Finally, the choice was made to proceed with conventional four-stroke expertise, focusing as an alternative on revising the hybrid system. The MGU-H, the electrical generator coupled with the turbo, was eliminated for value causes and to accommodate new producers—particularly Audi and Porsche—who had been cautious of their technological drawback in comparison with present rivals. This choice, later confirmed within the remaining rules, disadvantaged energy items of a beneficial supply of power for battery recharging, simply as hybrid energy was set to extend from 120 to 350 kW.
To compensate, one proposal concerned including one other electrical generator to get better braking power, doubling the prevailing MGU-Ok. Nevertheless, this second unit would have been put in on the entrance axle, much like fashionable System E automobiles, and will have been activated throughout acceleration, successfully creating an all-wheel-drive System 1 automobile. “It’s an choice to contemplate,” commented then-Ferrari Group Principal Mattia Binotto.
Nevertheless, some present producers feared that newcomers Porsche and Audi might need a bonus on this space, regardless of plans to standardize the second motor-generator for all groups. An excellent better impediment was the added weight: the electrical motor, drive shafts, extra parts, and chassis modifications would have elevated the automobile’s weight by not less than 30 kg. In consequence, the choice was made to proceed with a single, extra highly effective MGU-Ok whereas creating a extra environment friendly automobile physique and utilizing energetic aerodynamics to scale back drag and gas consumption, compensating for the elimination of the MGU-H.
The transverse engine
One other proposal for 2026 concerned additional downsizing the interior combustion engine. The brand new automobiles would have adopted compact four-cylinder engines, permitting them to be mounted transversely somewhat than longitudinally. This setup would have shortened the wheelbase by 40 cm, resulting in important weight financial savings. Nevertheless, the choice was finally made to evolve the prevailing V6 engines, each to capitalize on improvement since 2014 and for higher engine sound.
The ultimate model of the rules nonetheless faces skepticism from a big portion of followers, however one wonders what the response would have been if System 1 had absolutely pursued any of the choice concepts on the desk.
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