Video: Hear Honda’s New Formula 1 Engine

News I By John Beltz Snyder I October 18, 2013

Back in May, we learned that McLaren will again be using Honda power for the 2015 Formula 1 season. Now we can hear the sound of that engine in this video from Honda Racing.

For 2015, Formula 1 will see the use of turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 engines with energy recovery systems. That is what you’re hearing here. Granted, One lone engine in a lab or garage doesn’t have quite the same aural presence as a chorus of motors breathing through exhaust systems as cars tear around the circuit. We think the Doppler effect might amp things up a bit, too.

Listen to Honda’s new F1 engine in the video below. Press release follows. Feel anything? Let us know in the comments.

NEW HONDA F1 ENGINE FIRES INTO LIFE

Turn your speakers up as Honda has captured the roar of its new F1 engine as it’s fired up for the first time. Brace yourself and give it a listen here – http://youtu.be/431h20gvm3M

The engine is being developed for the 2015 season where Honda will participate under a joint project with McLaren.
Manabu Nishimae, President of Honda Motor Europe Ltd, commented, “It’s exciting to hear the cry of our new born Formula One engine for the first time. Our engineers are working hard to develop the engine and we are all looking forward to the start of the 2015 season.”

Honda will be in charge of the development, manufacture and supply of the power unit, including the engine and energy recovery system, while McLaren will be in responsible of the development and manufacture of the chassis, as well as the management of the new team, McLaren Honda.

From 2014, new F1 regulations require the introduction of a 1.6 litre direct injection turbocharged V6 engine with energy recovery systems. The opportunity to further develop these powertrain technologies through the challenge of racing is central to Honda’s decision to participate in F1.

Throughout its history, Honda has passionately pursued improvements in the efficiency of the internal combustion engine and in more recent years, the development of pioneering energy management technologies such as hybrid systems. Participation in Formula 1 under these new regulations will encourage even further technological progress in both these areas. Plus, a new generation of Honda engineers can experience the challenges and thrills of operating at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Honda will base its European racing operation in Milton Keynes from June 2014.

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