McLaren-Honda MCL32 – The Launch

The lights dimmed and the MCL32 sat, under covers for the moment, waiting to reveal itself to the racing world. Simon Lazenby stepped out to address the gathered guests of McLaren and spoke fondly of the history surrounding the team.

Would the rumours of the orange livery be fulfilled?

The room became dark, the speakers boomed into life as snippets of past McLaren cars faded in and zipped out of focus, the excited tones of Murray Walker echoing around the centre to be replaced by the calm voice of Ayrton Senna.

The moment had arrived, the time was now.

Spinning majestically on a dark turntable the bright livery of the MCL32 was revealed for the first time and there was a collected gasp from McLaren fans around the world as the orange sparkled proudly under the studio lights.

Zak Brown strode proudly onto the stage and revealed that he had listened to those fans who wanted to see orange on the car, he understands the history of the team and he knows full well the passion of the fans who not only craved a hark back to a past full of glory but a history that is tinged with so many emotions.

The McLaren MCL32 was revealed to the world today and with it the hope that, finally, the past can become the present and the future can be as successful as the past.

Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce you to McLaren’s challenger for 2017:

McLAREN-HONDA MCL32 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

CHASSIS

Monocoque

Carbon-fibre composite, incorporating driver controls and fuel cell

Safety structures

Cockpit survival cell incorporating impact resistant construction and anti-penetration panels, front impact structure, prescribed side impact structures, integrated rear impact structure, front and rear roll structures

Bodywork

Carbon-fibre composite, including engine cover, sidepods, floor, nose, front wing and rear wing with driver-operated drag reduction system

Front suspension

Carbon-fibre wishbone and pushrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system

Rear suspension

Carbon-fibre wishbone and pullrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system

Weight

Overall vehicle weight 728kg (including driver, excluding fuel). Weight distribution between 45.3% and 46.3%

Electronics

McLaren Applied Technologies. Including chassis control, power unit control, data acquisition, sensors, data analysis and telemetry

Instruments

McLaren Applied Technologies dashboard

Greases & Fluids

Castrol grease and hydraulic oil

Brake system

Akebono brake calipers and master cylinders. Akebono ‘brake by wire’ rear brake control system. Carbon discs and pads

Steering

Power-assisted rack and pinion

Tyres

Pirelli P Zero

Race wheels

Enkei

Garage Radio

Kenwood

Paint

AkzoNobel Car Refinishes system using Sikkens products

Cooling Systems

Calsonic Kansei water and oil cooling

POWER UNIT

Type

HONDA RA617H

Minimum weight

145 kg

Primary PU components

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic (MGU-K)
Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H)
Energy Store (ES)
Turbocharger
Control Electronics

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Capacity

1.6 litres

Cylinders

Six

Bank angle

90 degree vee angle

No of valves

24

Max speed

15,000 rpm

Max fuel flow rate

100 kg/hour (above 10,500 rpm)

Fuel consumption

105 kg ‘lights to flag’ regulated fuel capacity limit

Fuel injection

Direct injection, single injector per cylinder, 500 bar max

Pressure charging

Single-stage compressor and exhaust turbine, common shaft

Fuel & Lubricant

BP Castrol

ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM

Architecture

Integrated Hybrid energy recovery via Motor Generator Units
Crankshaft coupled electrical MGU-K
Turbocharger coupled electrical MGU-H

Energy Store

Lithium-Ion battery, between 20 and 25 kg
Maximum energy storage, 4 MJ per lap

MGU-K

Maximum speed, 50,000 rpm
Maximum power, 120 kW
Maximum energy recovery, 2 MJ per lap
Maximum energy deployment, 4 MJ per lap

MGU-H

Maximum speed 125,000 rpm
Maximum power, unlimited
Maximum energy recovery, unlimited
Maximum energy deployment, unlimited

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox

Carbon-fibre composite main case, longitudinally mounted

Gear ratios

Eight forward and one reverse

Gear selection

Electro-hydraulically operated seamless shift

Differential

Epicyclic differential withmulti-platelimited slipclutch

Clutch

Electro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate

Lubricant

Castrol

Neil Simmons

McLaren F1 Editor

Twitter: @world_racing

Photo Credits: courtesy of McLaren Team Stream Live Feed

Share the passion

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

©2014-2024 ThePitCrewOnline