Aston Reveals 'Straight Six' Le Mans Racer

Gulf liveried AM looks the part, but will the 24hrs ever sound the same again?

Aston Martin's brand new LMP1 race-car will contest Le Mans and most of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup with a bespoke two-litre turbocharged straight six petrol engine behind the driver, in place of last year's howling 6.0 V12.

The move is not motivated by anyone's desire to get a good night's sleep at Le Mans, but that might be a possible side effect as efficiency-based rule changes bring more of this sort of thing into the racing game. There's no getting away from it - a combination of reduced capacity and turbocharging is likely to mean the new Aston is a lot, lot, quieter than its spine-tingling predecessor, and we're just going to have to live with it. (Although we have heard on the grapevine that Aston Martin Racing chairman David Richards reckons the new Aston racing six sounds 'a lot better than it has any right to' - so here's hoping!)

Resplendent in its Gulf livery, the new Aston AMR-One features a carbon fibre monocoque open-top chassis, with the regulation blade fin jutting up over the rear quarters. The straight six configuration was chosen over a 'vee', we're told, because the car's length means there are no packaging problems, and it's easier to work on and service a 'crossflow' style engine.

The new engine has a 2.0 litre capacity and is a bespoke design by Aston Martin Racing that features direct injection as well as the intercooled turbocharger. Speaking to PH last week Team Principal George Howard-Chappell confirmed Aston's belief that the ACO (Le Mans organisers) will have a power balance equation in place for the 24hrs that gives Aston a chance of an outright win against the previously unbeatable oil-burners from Audi and Peugeot.

"We have chosen to run with a six cylinder turbocharged engine because we believe this offers the best potential within the petrol engine regulations. With the ACO's commitment to effectively balance the performance of petrol and diesel Le Mans entrants - our hopes are high that we'll see the closest racing yet in the premiere LMP1 category," he says.

It's interesting to note Aston's switch to an open cockpit in the same year that Audi has built a closed coupe, but George Howard-Chappell maintains it's the right choice for Aston.

"We did the modelling and decided that advantages like better visibility and quick driver changes outweighed the small aerodynamic efficiency a coupe could bring - which in itself has to be balanced against a higher centre of gravity," he told us.

We also spoke to Aston design director Marek Reichman who has been intrinsically involved with the look of the new racer, and its Gulf livery.

"We've got an arrow-head effect, with black areas used where the car picks up most of the dirt during a race so hopefully it returns to the pits looking as good as when it started," he says.

A total of six AMR-Ones will be built, with the factory team running one car in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans and two cars at selected events.

The driver line up for 2011 will consist of Darren Turner (GB) Stefan Mücke (D) and another driver yet to be announced, who will join the team piloting the 007 car. Adrian Fernandez (MX), Andy Meyrick (GB) and Harold Primat (CH) will be teaming up to drive the 009 car. The AMR-One is expected to test for the first time in early March.

Aston Martin AMR-ONE LMP1 Technical Specification

Chassis - Aston Martin Carbon Fibre Monocoque 'open' style construction, load bearing engine with steel frame to help rigidity.

Configuration - Mid engine rear wheel drive

Engine - In line 6 cylinder, direct injected, turbocharged and intercooled DOHC Petrol engine, 4 valves per cylinder. Approx 540bhp, 6 speed Xtrac

Gearbox - Bespoke 6 speed, transverse, semi automatic pneumatic shift, Xtrac racing gearbox

Suspension - All round double wishbone, push-rod activated Koni dampers with third spring/damper, front and rear. Front Anti roll bar

Steering - Rack and Pinion with electrical power assistance

Aerodynamics - to current LMP1 regulations developed via CFD in conjunction with Totalsim, including latest regulation fin.

Electronics - Full Cosworth electronics systems including engine ECU, data system and telemetry. Full military spec wiring harness and connectors.

Wheels and Tyres - Michelin tyres, 36/71 x 18 front and 37/71 x 18 rear mounted on TWS forged magnesium wheels.

Brakes - Brembo six pot calipers fitted front and rear, Carbon 380mm diameter front and 355mm diameter rear discs with carbon pads