A System 1 automobile with all-wheel drive or powered by a two-stroke engine. What could sound like science fiction have been really severe proposals for the 2026 laws. Technological limitations and the pursuits of particular person producers finally led to an evolution of the present energy items, however the vehicles debuting subsequent yr may have been very totally different from what the general public is used to. Right here’s how.
The 2-stroke concept
In 2020, Pat Symonds, then System 1’s technical director, spoke at a Motorsport Business Affiliation convention in regards to the ongoing work on new laws: “We have to begin taking a look at what our future energy items will likely be like. […] I’m very excited that we’re engaged on the thought of a two-stroke engine, which is at the moment way more environment friendly, has fewer points than prior to now, and might ship an ideal sound.”
In a two-stroke engine, the consumption, compression, combustion, enlargement, and exhaust phases of the air-fuel combination are accomplished in a single engine rotation, not like 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 via ports opened and closed by the pistons themselves, eliminating the necessity for distribution elements reminiscent of valves and camshafts.
With the identical displacement, a two-stroke engine has the potential to supply higher torque and energy. Nonetheless, over time, four-stroke know-how has prevailed as a consequence 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 may have optimized fluid dynamics and maximized cylinder quantity utilization whereas finishing your entire combustion cycle in a single engine rotation as a substitute of two.
Opposed-piston engines
The 2-stroke challenge went even additional, embracing the thought of an opposed-piston engine. This design options two pistons per cylinder, dealing with one another and transferring towards and away from each other throughout operation. This structure improves power conversion from combustion into helpful work by stopping warmth loss via 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 know-how 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 programs have made fashionable two-stroke engines extremely environment friendly and compliant with present emissions laws. I feel they’ve a superb future.” Nonetheless, these phrases didn’t result in additional developments.
All-wheel drive
In the end, the choice was made to proceed with conventional four-stroke know-how, focusing as a substitute on revising the hybrid system. The MGU-H, the electrical generator coupled with the turbo, was eliminated for price causes and to accommodate new producers—particularly Audi and Porsche—who have been cautious of their technological drawback in comparison with present rivals. This determination, later confirmed within the ultimate laws, disadvantaged energy items of a priceless 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. Nonetheless, this second unit would have been put in on the entrance axle, much like fashionable System E vehicles, and will have been activated throughout acceleration, successfully creating an all-wheel-drive System 1 automobile. “It’s an possibility to contemplate,” commented then-Ferrari Staff Principal Mattia Binotto.
Nonetheless, 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 higher impediment was the added weight: the electrical motor, drive shafts, extra elements, 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 growing a extra environment friendly automobile physique and utilizing lively aerodynamics to cut back drag and gas consumption, compensating for the removing of the MGU-H.
The transverse engine
One other proposal for 2026 concerned additional downsizing the inner combustion engine. The brand new vehicles would have adopted compact four-cylinder engines, permitting them to be mounted transversely reasonably than longitudinally. This setup would have shortened the wheelbase by 40 cm, resulting in vital weight financial savings. Nonetheless, the choice was finally made to evolve the prevailing V6 engines, each to capitalize on growth since 2014 and for higher engine sound.
The ultimate model of the laws nonetheless faces skepticism from a big portion of followers, however one wonders what the response would have been if System 1 had totally pursued any of the choice concepts on the desk.
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