Renault “at 70%” on the V6 Turbo for 2014
Renault has decided to focus primarily on the development of the 1.6L V6 Turbo engine that will come into effect in F1 in 2014, according to Jean-François Caubet, one of the heads of Renault Sport F1.
In 2014, Formula 1 teams will bid farewell to V8 engines and welcome 1.6L Turbo V6 engines. Even though it still seems far off, all engine manufacturers have already been working on these new blocks for several months now.
Renault hopes to conduct bench tests of its V6 this summer, and the French engine manufacturer is working tirelessly on this new engine, as stated by Jean-François Caubet, the Managing Director of Renault Sport F1.
« We are currently working 70% on the new engine (V6 Turbo 1.6L). Next year, we will be at 100%, » Jean-François Caubet told Auto Bild.
According to the German publication, the development cost of Renault’s V6 engine block is estimated to be around 50 million euros – a significant portion of which is for the development of the KERS.
Renault is now present in F1 only as an engine supplier and has recently established a joint venture with Red Bull Racing to work on the development of the KERS. Caubet stated that starting from the 2014 season, Renault would supply the entire power unit to Red Bull, including the engine, KERS, gearbox, as well as the clutch and transmission.
«(The KERS) an integral part of the new engine. In 2014, we will provide Red Bull not just an engine, but the entire powertrain, » added Caubet.
The French engine manufacturer is therefore focusing as much as possible on its partnership with Red Bull, which has proven successful so far – with two constructors’ titles won in 2010 and 2011 and two drivers’ titles for Sebastian Vettel in those same years.
