Mercedes V6 hybrid Formula One power unit explained

Mercedes V6 turbo-hybrid power unit[1]
Manufacturer:Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains
Production:2014–present
Configuration:V-6 single hybrid turbocharged engine, 90° cylinder angle
Displacement:1.6L
Bore:80mm
Stroke:53mm
Block:Aluminum alloy
Head:Aluminum alloy
Valvetrain:24-valve (four-valves per cylinder), DOHC
Compression:under 18:1
Idle:5,000 rpm
Redline:15,000 rpm
Turbocharger:Hybrid turbocharger with 3.5–5.0 bar boost pressure
Power:NaNhp
Torque:Approx. 600-
Coolingsystem:Single water pump
Weight:NaNkg (-2,147,483,648lb) overall including headers, clutch, ECU, spark box or filters
Fuelsystem:500bar gasoline direct injection
Management:McLaren TAG-320 (2014-2018) later TAG-320B (2019-present)
Fueltype:Petronas Primax unleaded gasoline 94.25% + 5.75% biofuel[2] and Mobil (McLaren only in 2014)
Oilsystem:Dry sump
Predecessor:Mercedes-Benz FO engine

The Mercedes V6 hybrid Formula One power unit is a series of 1.6-liter, hybrid turbocharged V6 racing engines which features both a kinetic energy recovery system (MGU-K) and a heat energy recovery system (MGU-H), developed and produced by Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains for use in Formula One. The engines were in use since the 2014 season by the Mercedes works team. Over years of development, engine power was increased from 840 horsepower at 15,000 rpm, to 1,030 horsepower at 15,000 rpm. Customer team engines were used by Williams, McLaren, Lotus, Manor Racing, Force India, Racing Point Force India, Racing Point and Aston Martin.

Having a successful run since the 2014 season, the Mercedes V6 Hybrid engine have become one of the most successful Formula One engines of all time.[3] Breaking the record for most wins in a season in 2016 (this has record since been surpassed by Honda with Red Bull Racing in 2023), as well as among many other major constructor and driver F1 records. Notably, Lewis Hamilton won a record breaking six driver's championships and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team won a record breaking eight consecutive constructor's championships powered by the Mercedes V6 Hybrid engines.

List of Formula One engines

Specifications of the Mercedes V6 hybrid F1 power units!Season!Name!Format!Peak power @ rpm
!Notes
Mercedes-Benz PU106A1.600 L 90° V6 turbo hybrid630kW @ 15,000 rpm[4]
Mercedes-Benz PU106B649kW @ 15,000 rpm[5] Adapted for use in the Mercedes-AMG One[6]
Mercedes-Benz PU106C670kW @ 15,000 rpm[7]
Mercedes-AMG M08 EQ Power+949abbr=onNaNabbr=on @ 15,000 rpm[8]
Mercedes-AMG M09 EQ Power+970abbr=onNaNabbr=on @ 15,000 rpm[9]
Mercedes-AMG M10 EQ Power+Badged as "BWT Mercedes" for Racing Point
Mercedes-AMG M11 EQ Performance990abbr=onNaNabbr=on @ 15,000 rpm[10]
Mercedes-AMG M12 E Performance1030abbr=onNaNabbr=on @ 15,000 rpm
2022Mercedes-AMG M13 E Performance 1030abbr=onNaNabbr=on @ 15,000 rpm[11]
Mercedes-AMG M14 E Performance
Mercedes-AMG M15 E Performance

Statistics

The Formula One regulations in saw Mercedes produce a unique hybrid 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine, that could produce a significant amount of power with less fuel consumption compared to Ferrari and Renault engines. It also featured the kinetic energy recovery system (MGU-K) and heat energy recovery system (MGU-H). The engine was soon proved to have a clear advantage over other engines, as cars powered by the Mercedes engine scored the majority of points during the 2014 season.[12] Since the introduction of this engine formula, Mercedes-powered cars scored pole position in 125 and won 119 of 218 races (as of the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix), and won 7 drivers' championships and 8 constructors' championships.

Season statistics for Mercedes engines

SeasonConstructorsRacesWinsPole positions1–2 finishesPodiumsFastest laps
Mercedes, Force India, McLaren, Williams1916191141171st, 3rd, 5th, 6th
Mercedes, Force India, Lotus, Williams1916181238131st, 3rd, 5th, 6th
Mercedes, Force India, MRT, Williams211920835101st, 4th, 5th, 11th
Mercedes, Force India, Williams201215427101st, 4th, 5th
Mercedes, Force India, Williams211113426101st, 7th, 10th
Mercedes, Racing Point, Williams21151093291st, 7th, 10th
Mercedes, Racing Point, Williams17141652991st, 4th, 10th
Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams221010135121st, 4th, 7th, 8th
2022Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams221111883rd, 5th, 7th, 10th
2023Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams220102482nd, 4th, 5th, 7th
2024Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams145411872nd, 4th, 5th, 9th
* Season still in progress.

Other applications

Mercedes-AMG One

The Mercedes-AMG One production hypercar features a similar powertrain as in modern Formula One cars. The production version of the car is features a modified version of the Mercedes-Benz PU106B Hybrid E-turbo V6 engine, used in the Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid Formula One car.[13] [14] Modifications were done to the engine, resulting a reduction in idle rpm and redline among many other changes to make it road-legal. The modified internal combustion engine (ICE) produces a maximum power output of 422kW. Torque figures were unmeasurable due to the complex powertrain.[15]

The internal combustion engine works in conjunction with four electric motors; a 1200NaN0 MGU-K coupled to the crankshaft, a 900NaN0 MGU-H coupled to the turbocharger, and two electric motors in the front axle producing 2400NaN0.[16] The One has a total combined power output of 782kW. The MGU-K and MGU-H are similar as in use in Formula One cars, which were responsible for recovering energy and improving efficiency during the operation of the car.[17] More specifically, the MGU-K serves to generate electricity during braking, while the MGU-H serves to eliminate turbo lag and improve throttle response by keeping the turbine spinning at lower engine high speeds.[18] Other two electric motors drives the front wheels and creates an all-wheel drive drivetrain, the sum of these four electric motors contributes 3600NaN0 of effective power to the total power output figure of the AMG One.

The head of Mercedes-AMG, Tobias Moers, claimed that the engine will be at 1,280 rpm in idle and at 11,000 rpm at its redline limit. However, the engine will only last for 50000km (30,000miles) and the owners should have to return their cars for an engine refurbishment, which will cost 850,000 euros. This Formula One inspired powertrain helps the car to attain a top speed of 219mph. According to Mercedes-AMG, the car can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0 to 200km/h in 7.0 seconds and 0 to 300km/h in 15.6 seconds.[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Formula 1 Engine Facts « Mercedes AMG HPP. mercedes-amg-hpp.com. 25 February 2022.
  2. Web site: Mercedes-Benz International: News, Pictures, Videos & Livestreams.. mercedesamgf1.com. 25 February 2022.
  3. Web site: Watson . Jack . 2021-02-26 . Formula 1's 5 Most Iconic Engines ever . 2022-07-27 . Sportlight . en-US.
  4. Web site: Petric . Darjan . 2021-04-29 . Mercedes didn't use full F1 engine power in 2014 . 2022-07-28 . MAXF1 . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2020-06-17. How Long Do F1 Engines Last? F1 Chronicle. 2021-05-27. en-AU.
  6. Web site: New Mercedes-AMG One revealed: price, specs and release date . 2022-09-22 . carwow.co.uk . en.
  7. Web site: 2016-02-06 . Mercedes producing over 900bhp with more to come . 2022-07-28 . ESPN . en.
  8. Web site: Petric. Darjan. 2018-01-05. How much power F1 engines have?. 2021-05-27. MAXF1net. en-US.
  9. Web site: Saward . Joe . 2018-05-10 . Mercedes F1 engine is a true modern marvel . 2022-07-28 . Autoweek . en-US.
  10. Web site: 2021-01-05. Mercedes New Engine in 2021 with More 25 Horsepower – 'Party Mode Whole Race'!. 2021-05-27. F1Lead.com. en-US.
  11. Web site: Mercedes enters 2022 with extra horsepower through improved turbocharger . 2022-07-28 . www.gpblog.com . en.
  12. Web site: Benson . Andrew . 9 April 2014 . F1: McLaren can catch Mercedes says race chief Eric Boullier . 9 April 2014 . BBC Sport.
  13. Web site: Watch Mercedes-Benz AMG's One hit the Hockenheimring racetrack . 2022-07-27 . Motor Authority . en.
  14. Web site: New Mercedes-AMG One revealed: price, specs and release date . 2022-07-27 . carwow.co.uk . en.
  15. Web site: 2017-04-24 . The Mercedes-AMG Project One Hypercar Will Have 1,020 HP . 2022-07-27 . CarBuzz . en-us.
  16. Web site: Csere . Csaba . 2017-09-11 . Mercedes-AMG Project One . 2022-07-27 . Car and Driver . en-US.
  17. Web site: Power unit and ERS . 2018-04-23 . Formula1.com . en.
  18. News: Csere . Csaba . 2017-09-17 . Mercedes-AMG Project One Photos and Info News Car and Driver . en . Car and Driver . 2018-04-23.
  19. Web site: Mercedes-AMG ONE . 2022-07-27 . www.mercedes-amg.com . en.