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    McLaren Honda’s 2017 F1 car demands attention with unique front wing

    This year Formula 1 is resetting, everything is new again. As a result of massive rule changes,  teams are completely revamping their cars. Once of the biggest changes on the grid in 2017 will come from McLaren Honda with the launch tonight of thier MCL32.

    Check out the amazing plethora of carbon fibre pieces on that front wing assembly. Perhaps the most impressive section is the 4-part connection between the new arrow-shaped front wing and the body or nose of the car. Its completely unique and something we’ve never seen before.

    Frankly it kind of reminds you of Neo’s lips from the matrix.

    As with everything in F1, the top tier of motorsport technology and innovation, its not by accident, completely thought out, rigorously tested in computer simulations and the multi-veined front wing mount is done to help control air flow over the car’s body and into the air intakes.

    We’ve now seen a number of the entrants for the F1 2017 grid revealled and the instant reaction to the McLaren Honda MCL32 has got fans excited, perhaps more than any other.

    The livery is a striking orange, black and white combination, which is a bold statement over last year’s almost entirely black appearance. This is like McLaren and Honda standing up and announcing to pit lane, in 2017 they’re here and ready to be counted at the pointy end of the race.

    If you’re reading this, I’ll go ahead an assume you’re interested in the technical detail and thankfully, McLaren-Honda have provided it in spades.

    CHASSIS

    Monocoque Carbon-fibre composite, incorporating driver controls and fuel cell
    Safety structures Cockpit survival cell incorporating impact resistant construction and anti-penetration panels, front impact structure, prescribed side impact structures, integrated rear impact structure, front and rear roll structures
    Bodywork Carbon-fibre composite, including engine cover, sidepods, floor, nose, front wing and rear wing with driver-operated drag reduction system
    Front suspension Carbon-fibre wishbone and pushrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
    Rear suspension Carbon-fibre wishbone and pullrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
    Weight Overall vehicle weight 728kg (including driver, excluding fuel)
    Weight distribution between 45.3% and 46.3%
    Electronics McLaren Applied Technologies. Including chassis control, power unit control, data acquisition, sensors, data analysis and telemetry
    Instruments McLaren Applied Technologies dashboard
    Greases & Fluids Castrol grease and hydraulic oil
    Brake system Akebono brake calipers and master cylinders
    Akebono ‘brake by wire’ rear brake control system
    Carbon discs and pads
    Steering Power-assisted rack and pinion
    Tyres Pirelli P Zero
    Race wheels Enkei
    Garage Radio Kenwood
    Paint AkzoNobel Car Refinishes system using Sikkens products
    Cooling Systems Calsonic Kansei water and oil cooling

     

    POWER UNIT

    Type HONDA RA617H
    Minimum weight 145 kg
    Primary PU components Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
    Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic (MGU-K)
    Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H)
    Energy Store (ES)
    Turbocharger
    Control Electronics

     

    INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

    Capacity 1.6 litres
    Cylinders Six
    Bank angle 90 degree vee angle
    No of valves 24
    Max speed 15,000 rpm
    Max fuel flow rate 100 kg/hour (above 10,500 rpm)
    Fuel consumption 105 kg ‘lights to flag’ regulated fuel capacity limit
    Fuel injection Direct injection, single injector per cylinder, 500 bar max
    Pressure charging Single-stage compressor and exhaust turbine, common shaft
    Fuel & Lubricant BP Castrol

     

    ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM

    Architecture Integrated Hybrid energy recovery via Motor Generator Units
    Crankshaft coupled electrical MGU-K
    Turbocharger coupled electrical MGU-H
    Energy Store Lithium-Ion battery, between 20 and 25 kg
    Maximum energy storage, 4 MJ per lap
    MGU-K Maximum speed, 50,000 rpm
    Maximum power, 120 kW
    Maximum energy recovery, 2 MJ per lap
    Maximum energy deployment, 4 MJ per lap
    MGU-H Maximum speed 125,000 rpm
    Maximum power, unlimited
    Maximum energy recovery, unlimited
    Maximum energy deployment, unlimited

     

    TRANSMISSION

    Gearbox Carbon-fibre composite main case, longitudinally mounted
    Gear ratios Eight forward and one reverse
    Gear selection Electro-hydraulically operated seamless shift
    Differential Epicyclic differential withmulti-platelimited slipclutch
    Clutch Electro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate
    Lubricant Castrol

     

    If you missed the live stream reveal, it was streamed on Facebook and is now available on-demand.

    Jason Cartwright
    Jason Cartwrighthttps://techau.com.au/author/jason/
    Creator of techAU, Jason has spent the dozen+ years covering technology in Australia and around the world. Bringing a background in multimedia and passion for technology to the job, Cartwright delivers detailed product reviews, event coverage and industry news on a daily basis. Disclaimer: Tesla Shareholder from 20/01/2021

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