Mercedes-Benz M291 engine
| Mercedes-Benz M291[1][2] | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |  Mercedes-Benz |
| Production | 1991-1992 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | 180° V-12 |
| 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]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]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.
Unlike Jaguar's XJR-14 who had the readily available and proven Ford HB V8 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 3.5L 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 5.0 litre V8 twin-turbo found in the C291's predecessor, the Sauber-Mercedes C11.
Applications
[edit]- Mercedes-Benz C291
- Mercedes-Benz C292 (stillborn concept)
References
[edit]- ^ "Mercedes-Benz M291 engine". sportlichleicht.com. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ "Motor M 291". Mercedes-Benz Public Archive. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz Sauber C292 Group C Prototype 1992". gtplanet.net. 12 August 2015.
- ^ "Retrospective>> Schumacher and the Mercedes C291". speedhunters.com. 13 October 2009.
- ^ Goodwin, Graham (2020-11-04). "DSC Retro: Mercedes C291, A Star Is Born". dailysportscar.com.
Mercedes used the interval wisely, as did Jean Todt with the Peugeots. Under the direction of Dr Hiereth, the C291's injection system was improved with 12 butterfly flaps instead of four, raising the power to 640 horsepower at 13,200 rpm.
- ^ "1991→1991 Sauber Mercedes C291". Supercars.net. 2016-04-22.
- ^ Starkey, John (10 January 2022). SAUBER-MERCEDES – The Group C Racecars 1985-1991: World Champions. ISBN 9781787118256.
- ^ "#MotorsportFail – the 1991 Mercedes-Benz C291". Historic Motor Sport Central. 25 August 2017.
- ^ "That time Mercedes almost built an 18-cylinder engine". driving. Retrieved 2021-08-08.