Mercedes-Benz M291 engine
| Mercedes-Benz M291[1][2] | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Germany Mercedes-Benz |
| Production | 1991–1992 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | 180° Flat 12 engine |
| Displacement | 3.5 L (214 cu in) |
| Cylinder bore | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Piston stroke | 50.1 mm (1.97 in) |
| Valvetrain | 48-valve, DOHC, four-valves per cylinder |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection |
| Oil system | Dry sump |
| Output | |
| Power output | 550–718 hp (410–535 kW)[3] |
| Torque output | 400 N⋅m (300 lb⋅ft) |
The Mercedes-Benz M291 engine is a 3.5-liter flat-12 racing engine, designed, developed and produced by Mercedes-Benz, for their Group C racing program. It was introduced in 1991, along with their new Mercedes-Benz C291 prototype race car chassis.[4][5][6][7][8]
Background
[edit | edit source]The 1991 season marked the introduction of the FIA’s new, and controversial, 3.5-liter formula which replaced the highly successful Group C category that had been used in the World Sportscar Championship since 1982, though due to a small number of entries for the 3.5-liter formula heavily penalized Group C cars (which were subject to weight penalties and started behind the new-style C1 entries on the grid) were allowed to participate in the season's C2 category.
Engine
[edit | edit source]The primary feature of the new regulations was the use of a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated engine. This made it impossible for Mercedes-Benz to use the engines from its previous Group C cars. Also, to produce similar power to the Group C cars a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated engine had to be very high-revving and be constructed from different materials in order to rev highly.
As Jaguar was part of Ford since 1990, the XJR-14 could use the proven Ford-Cosworth HB engine from the Benetton B190B Formula One car (the engine regulations for the new 3.5-liter formula were identical to Formula One). Mercedes-Benz had to design an all-new purpose-built racing engine and its M-291 3.5 L Flat-12[9] unit was the result. The engine only produced about 550–600 brake horsepower (410–450 kW), compared to over 730 brake horsepower (540 kW) produced by M119 5.0-liter V8 twin-turbo found in the C291's predecessor, the Sauber-Mercedes C11.
Applications
[edit | edit source]- Mercedes-Benz C291
- Mercedes-Benz C292 (stillborn concept)
References
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