Acura/HPD's future plans

[Victor_RO]

Wide fronts and therefore a revised front aero package, looks like that's it so far. Maybe there's also some changes under the skin, but we can't see them (obviously).

[Simmi]

Bit better frontal shot:
http://twitpic.com/beaysa

[Graham Goodwin]

Very different at the rear

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

Very different at the rear

That was my first thought, looks more vertical forward of the wheel opening and very sculpted across the top of the wheel. Has anyone seen the opening over the wheel from above, looks like it is contoured around the opening to direct air around it. Would that be more for the rear wing or endplates or to extract more air through the opening to minimize drag? Or would that help to create more downforce by using the mandatory openings smartly?

[chernaudi]

Rear clip looks the same as what the HPDs ran at LM this year--Strakka also ran it in most of the sprint races post LM too.

[Simmi]

Nice shot from above here



The rear does seem quite similar to what we saw at Le Mans to my untrained eye. But I doubt this is the finished spec.

EDIT: And a bit of Honda PR around the test here: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/ar...spx?id=6990-en

[gwyllion]

Yes, only the bodyparts in naked carbon are new.

The rear end is completely unchanged.

HPD ARX-03a:


HPD ARX-03c:

[DeathOrGlory]

Maybe the rear aero will change at a later date.

[TF110]

They only said they were testing the new wide fronts and the accompanying changes for that. So I definitely would expect the rear end to change. Perhaps a double endplate rear wing in the near future.

[gwyllion]

The first test with the ARX-03c did not go smooth.

The other prototype in attendance was the new HPD-ARX03c which will switch from 33/68x18 front tyres to the 36/71x18s used by all the other LMP1 runners. To accommodate these bigger covers, Honda Performance Development’s engineers have had to make a number of changes to the car’s chassis, suspension geometry, etc. Unfortunately, a technical issue prevented the HPD-ARX03c from covering many laps and it had to leave the test earlier than planned.

source: http://lemanslive.com/Lemanslive/New...tests-in-Spain

[Juntos]

And what technical issue was that?

[hondafan37]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21655985


What are the chances that Honda will use this F1 engine in LMP1 too?

[somebodysb2]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21655985


What are the chances that Honda will use this F1 engine in LMP1 too?

What are the chances that Honda even has an F1 engine?

[TF110]

Originally Posted by somebodysb2

What are the chances that Honda even has an F1 engine?

Very good, actually.

[Scooter185]

semi-works Honda LMP1 vs Audi vs Porsche vs Toyota vs Nissan in the future??

[deggis]

Originally Posted by TF110

Very good, actually.

In that case I wouldn't want to be the person who gave a go-ahead to spend n millions on the engine before the boardroom has actually decided anyting (unless, it is internally greenlighted).

These rumors date back to last year at least, another story: http://www.f1zone.net/news/honda-eng...mclaren/17945/

[TF110]

Honda themselves have said they'd like to get back into F1 at least with an engine. They'll be back, question is when.

[gustavobamba]

Honda will provide engines in 2014/2015 for MClaren F1 Team ( thats the rumour), on the other hand i think they will do the same in LMP1. They will suply some teams and Wirth Research probably do the chassis.

That would be very, very nice :-)

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

Honda will provide engines in 2014/2015 for MClaren F1 Team ( thats the rumour), on the other hand i think they will do the same in LMP1. They will suply some teams and Wirth Research probably do the chassis.

That would be very, very nice :-)

I don't see how that would be any different to the situation we're in now?

Honda ideally need to do a bit more than supply engines in P1. They are relying on someone to build them a chassis.

I'm not sure what's stopping Wirth taking his designs to another manufacturer if they come knocking? I might be wrong but HPD don't seem to be providing any real support to their teams.

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I don't see how that would be any different to the situation we're in now?

Honda ideally need to do a bit more than supply engines in P1. They are relying on someone to build them a chassis.

I'm not sure what's stopping Wirth taking his designs to another manufacturer if they come knocking? I might be wrong but HPD don't seem to be providing any real support to their teams.

I agree with you in 100%, they should step their game, but i think they will stay the same :-(

HPD is a sub-brand (american)?? or is the motorsport brand of Honda Japan???

[deggis]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

I agree with you in 100%, they should step their game, but i think they will stay the same :-(

HPD is a sub-brand (american)?? or is the motorsport brand of Honda Japan???

It's not a brand, it is a subsidiary of American Honda Motor Company, Inc.

[Pandamasque]

I'm not sure it's even that big of a sub-brand. It's Nismo or SRT-like, although they'd probably with it would be. More like mopar but for Honda/Acura enthousiasts?

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by deggis

It's not a brand, it is a subsidiary of American Honda Motor Company, Inc.

Thanks :-)

[gwyllion]

http://endurance-info.com/version2/a...nce-16594.html reports that the HPD 2.8 V6 LMP2 has been equiped with direct fuel injection.

[TF110]

Strakka's new livery for 2013.