Hey, we saw that. Don’t roll your eyes because the title has Formula One in it. We just thought it was pretty wild that the series would be moving from the current V8 engines to a truly minuscule 1.6L turbocharged V6 for the 2014 season. How “big” is 1.6L? That would be a total of 96ci, meaning each cylinder would displace a mighty 16ci!
The cars will continue to use the “KERS” or Kenetic Energy Recovery System and we’re guessing that the teams will be able to get more use out of the “boost” the system allows them to use. Currently they are limited to six second bursts. Perhaps with the smaller engines, the cars will be able to rely more heavily on the extra KERS power.
We’ll be interested to see what the power numbers are, what the rev limiters are mandated at, and just what these things sound like. The current V8 engines sound like Satan’s air tools. Shrinking the motor and reducing the number of cylinders may reduce the volume of the shreik, but the pitch may be even more ear splitting!
Here’s the full release from the FIA –
FIA Formula One World Championship Power Unit Regulations
29/06/2011
Following a fax vote by its members, the World Motor Sport Council has ratified the engine regulations recently drawn up in consultation with the main stakeholders in Formula One. The new power plant will be a V6 1.6 turbo unit with energy recovery systems. This new formula will come into effect as from the start of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship season.
First, Indy and now F1. YIKES!
I hate six cylinders. HATE ‘EM!
Now a screaming 1.6-liter Turbo V8 with KERS would be something glorious to behold (and listen to). But sadly, the politically-correct, down-sized “sustainable” future is shaping up to be filled with too many “buzzin’ half-dozens” (even as more road cars are will be packin’ pitiful 3s and 4s)
I read today that the FIA has announced that the new 1.6L V6 turbo engines will have a rev limit of 15,000rpm.
Way To help contain the cost of F1 Berrnie!!
make the teams develope new engines EVERY YEAR!!! WTF
Remember the V6 engines from the Formula 1 of the eighties? Honda had a 1.5L V6 (Turbo of course) that made over 1500hp. I realize no turbo now but STILL.
New motors every season is killing the calss for the spectators or at least it is me. Souuld 3.0 Liter V12’s with no turbos, really wide tires and just let them run.
“The current V8 engines sound like Satan’s air tools”
ROFLOL. Awesome description!
I suspect the F1 V6 will sound like Satan’s bee hives.
F 1 SUX
Its always interesting when they swap the rules around. The American audience might not care to much about cutting edge technology and (by far) the most developed and most extreme motorsport in the world but it do trickle down to ‘real’ cars eventually, which NASCAR won’t!
Wonder how restrictive the boost/turbo set-up will be? Will they get up to 1000hp/liter again..?!