Elistan

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/honda-i...lmp2-race-cars/



Press release:
Honda Performance Development to Offer New LMP2 Engine for 2011
Production-based power for ALMS and LMS

TORRANCE, Calif. (June 10, 2010) – Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD), the racing arm of American Honda Motor Company, Inc., will offer a new LMP2 engine to customers participating in the 2011 American Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Intercontinental Cup competitions.

The new LMP2 engine, based on Honda's global V6 engine, is a 2.8-liter, twin-turbo variant utilizing HPD's exclusive engine-control system. The engine is the product of a joint effort between HPD and Honda R&D Americas, Inc. (HRA). Product R&D engineers from HRA's Raymond, Ohio center worked with HPD race engineers to create a powerful racing engine at a very attractive price point. Engine costs will meet the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's (ACO) new, lower price targets for the LMP2 class.

"With the collective racing spirit of our associates at HPD and HRA, we have come up with an attractive product to align with the new direction set by the ACO," commented Erik Berkman, president of HPD. "We are pleased to offer another race product which features the traditional Honda values of performance, efficiency, and reliability."

Since 2007, HPD has provided engines to prototype-class teams in the American Le Mans Series, and these engines have scored numerous victories, beginning with an LMP2 class win in HPD's inaugural ALMS race at Sebring in 2007. HPD was the first manufacturer to score ALMS class wins in both LMP1 and LMP2 on the same weekend with its wins at St. Petersburg in 2009.

HPD went on to win LMP1 and LMP2 Manufacturers' Championships for Acura in 2009 – becoming the first ALMS manufacturer to do so – and in 2010, began providing engines and support for sports-car competition in both America and Europe.

HPD's engines are renowned not only for their performance, but also for their reliability. In four years of prototype sports-car racing encompassing over 90 race starts, HPD engines have failed only once. In HPD's role as single engine supplier to the IZOD IndyCar Series, during the 2009 season, a total of 40 drivers and teams completed 202,210 miles of practice, qualifying and racing with only a single in-race engine failure.

For the fifth consecutive year, Honda powered the entire 33-car starting field at last month's Indianapolis 500, and for a record-extending fifth consecutive time – the only five times in Indy 500 history – there was not a single engine failure in the event.

Honda Performance Development is the Honda racing company within North America. Founded in 1993, and located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for American Honda high-performance racing cars and engines. In an open-wheel racing history that dates to 1994, Honda has recorded 166 race victories, 12 drivers' championships, 10 Manufacturers' Championships and seven Indianapolis 500 victories. In addition to its sports-car efforts and its role as single engine supplier to the IZOD IndyCar Series, HPD is active in a growing number of grassroots motorsports activities.

For more information regarding the engine and associated chassis fitment, contact Stephen Eriksen at HPD (661-294-7331 or seriksen@hra.com)

Lithium Lotus

So how much power does it make?

rockville

I expect a version of that motor will be the new Indy car motor unless (please unless) the series allows more than one engine make. I hate how spec Indy has become.

leo520

more specs of the engine needed it..

Saki GT

I thought that too when I saw the article - would be nice to have in an S, too bad its so expensive. Basically $100k for a tarted up Accord engine.

Popeye

90K !!!!!!!!!! I need a second job

pmptx

Without regard for price, I would put one of these in the S and have a hella fast go cart

duffsr

http://www.mulsannescorner.com/RCELeMans2010.html

"The answer to whether or not the new Honda LMP2 engine could be used elsewhere, in the IRL for instance, is probably no. IRL rules will allow bespoke racing engines and thus a production derived engine such as the Honda would be at a disadvantage."

Mulsanne's Corner is a Great resource specializing in the aerodynamics of LMP racecars, but they have great insight to all aspects of racing.

rockville

Interesting. Thanks for the link. It looks like this motor is from the same guys who are doing the Honda Fit motor for SCCA as a Formula Ford replacement motor.

s2kva

Interesting. Maybe this engine could go into the next RDX (whenever it comes out) since journalists are always criticizing it for the lack of a V6. Not that the turbo V4 is short on power or torque (240 and 260 respectively) , but it would certainly be nice for bragging rights:>