2015 is a big year for Honda, as it goes from retirement home to maximum attack with the trifector of new Civic Type R, new NSX supercar and new attempt at Formula 1 with McLaren. This here is the first image of that third effort – the new 2015 Honda F1 power unit.
And yes, apparently it is a ‘power unit’ and not an engine, as the former term accounts for all the hybrid energy recovery gubbins as well as the turbocharged 1.6-litre V6. Replacing Mercedes as F1 partner to McLaren, Honda will be hoping to recapture the magic of the partnership’s Prost and Senna glory years in the late 1980s.
Video: Honda releases sound-bite from 2015 F1 engine
What do we know about the new Honda F1 engine?
At this stage, exact details are vague – although like everyone else, Honda will field a 1.6-litre V6 with single turbocharger, paired with both kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems, as per the regulations. No kidding.
However, head of the Honda F1 project, Yasuhisa Arai has confirmed that development has ‘moved onto the next stage where we conduct full-fledged bench tests of the engine while connecting the turbocharger and energy recovery systems.’ Good news.
The racing operation has now also established its new base in Milton Keynes, joining the majority of high profile F1 players amongst the world-leading motorsport industry in the UK.
Where can I learn more?
Did you know it takes 16.7 seconds of braking per lap to fully recharged an F1 car’s two megajoule electrical energy storage capacity? This and other fascinating facts about the latest Formula 1 ‘power units’ are available on Honda’s endearingly old-school website here.
Honda’s return to Formula 1 is now just six months away; expect more news soon. In the meantime, you can listen to what the new Honda F1 engine sounds in the video attached to our previous story.