<< Prev Page 2 of 2 Equally unusual is the engine used to power the AMR-One. Displacing just under two litres, it is the first turbocharged straight six engine used in a top level prototype for over two decades. Officially rated at 540 bhp, it is bolted to the chassis as a semi-stressed member; steel subframes share part of the load. The six-speed gearbox is supplied to AMR by experts XTrac. Suspension is of a more conventional design with double wishbones, push-rod actuated coil springs over dampers and a third-damper on both ends. Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes provide the stopping power.
Finished in the familiar powder-blue and orange colours of main sponsor Gulf Oil, the first AMR-One was revealed in March; just six months after the project started. After a handful of tests, it was entered in the Le Mans Series opener at Paul Ricard but it failed to impress in this 'public test'. The next outing was the official Le Mans Test at the end of April where two cars were entered. It turned out to be a disastrous session as the two cars completed a combined 12 laps due to engine problems. The issues prompted Aston Martin to withdraw from the Spa 1000 km race and concentrate fully on getting the cars ready in time for Le Mans.
The official reading was that a coating on a liner in the engine was the source of the problem and that a fix was in the works. Some very experienced engineers suggested that the engine struggled with the loads of the car and Audi's Dr. Ulrich Baretzki even called the choice of a straight six engine 'incomprehensible' in an interview with MotorSport Magazine. Aston Martin nevertheless continued their development work and the AMR-One was subjected to various tests ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It will be very interesting to see if Aston Martin Racing can prove its critics wrong or that the small British team have finally bitten off more than they can chew. Taking in account the results of the previous outings, reaching the finish with one of the two entries should be considered a formidable achievement. Hopefully the reliability issues will be sorted enough to get an impression of the raw pace the unconventional AMR-One is capable of. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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Equally unusual is the engine used to power the AMR-One. Displacing just under two litres, it is the first turbocharged straight six engine used in a top level prototype for over two decades. Officially rated at 540 bhp, it is bolted to the chassis as a semi-stressed member; steel subframes share part of the load. The six-speed gearbox is supplied to AMR by experts XTrac. Suspension is of a more conventional design with double wishbones, push-rod actuated coil springs over dampers and a third-damper on both ends. Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes provide the stopping power.