Mclaren increased their wheelbase this year while the Maranallo team went the other direction. I wonder, if you were to measure, they might now have an identical wheelbase...
Heikki must also wonder about the car being presented on Lewis Hamilton's 23rd birthday, being designated and the MP4-23 and carrying the number 23.... Oh, boy. At least he probably will not complain.
Lewis Hamilton
"The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 is the coolest birthday present you can get, well it is for me anyway! To see the car for the first time at such a great place as the Mercedes-Benz museum makes it an even more memorable day. I have had the past three weeks off and spent the time training and relaxing with family and friends. I know how much work has been going on in Woking, Brixworth and here in Stuttgart and it is a great looking car. My engineer has told me that approximately 14,000 manufacturing man hours have been involved to produce the car in time for today. I will be testing it for the first time on Thursday. It is going to be a busy time but myself, Heikki, who I welcome as my new teammate, and everyone within the team is looking forward to it as we push forward together."
MP4-23 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONENGINE
Type: Mercedes-Benz FO 108V
Capacity: 2.4 litre
No. of cylinders: 8
Max. rpm: 19,000 (FIA regulatory limit since 2007)
Bank angle: 90O
Piston bore maximum: 98 mm (FIA regulation)
Bore spacing: 106.5 mm
Number of valves 32
Fuel: Mobil 1 Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
Lubricants Mobil 1, newly developed 2008 formula for lower friction and better wear resistance
Engine weight: 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox Speeds Seven forward and one reverse
Semi-auto Yes
Driveshafts McLaren
Clutch Hand-operated
Chassis McLaren moulded carbon fibre/aluminium honeycomb composite incorporating front and side impact structures. Contains integral safety fuel cell
Front Suspension Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Rear Suspension Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Suspension Dampers Koni
Electronics McLaren Electronic Systems control units incorporating electronics for chassis, engine and data acquisition. McLaren Electronic Systems also supplies the electronic dash board, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems
Bodywork Construction One-piece engine cover; separate sidepod covers; separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing.
Tyres Bridgestone Potenza
Radios Kenwood
Race Wheels Enkei
Batteries GS Yuasa Corporation
Steering McLaren power-assisted
Instruments McLaren Electronic Systems
Could that M-B museum have been more of a dungeon??
ReplyDelete-Freep