For 2014 the F1 race engine will be limited to a maximum of 1.6 liters–that’s not quite 98 cubic inches for you old-schoolers–but will still manage to put out an estimated 600 horsepower. Combined with the hybrid power recovery systems which will contribute another 160 or so horsepower when needed, that means F1 drivers next season can push as much as 750 horsepower to the rear wheels with a powerplant that’s barely larger than a couple of Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engines.
That’s pretty impressive stuff–even if the cost of this technology is still out of this world. And the website Jalopnik has take a pretty detailed look at the new engine configuration and how it all works. We especially like the side-by-side comparison shot between a twin-turbo F1 engine from 1980 and the modern version that will debut with the 2014 season. A lot of the new design is also predicated on a new lower fuel limit–teams can only burn 100 kilograms of fuel per race (approximately 220 pounds) which is 35 percent less than 2013–which put an emphasis on engine efficiency. The new engine must not only be miserly with its fuel consumption, but it must still make maximum horsepower. After all, this is still racing we’re talking about.
If you are interested, you can check out Jalopnik’s article on the new F1 engine here. And we’ve also found this very cool video from Ferrari previewing their new 2014 engine as well.