Gulf-liveried, open-cockpit LMP1 racecar was engineered and developed in-house by Aston Martin Racing.
Aston Martin Racing has unveiled its new ground-up developed LMP1 racecar, the AMR-One. The Gulf-liveried Aston Martin AMR-One, left & below photos, is a new open cockpit LMP1 racecar powered by a 2.0-Litre turbocharged and intercooled inline DOHC six-cylinder direct injection gas engine. It has been developed specifically for the new bespoke carbon fibre chassis designed and manufactured by Aston Martin Racing. Power output of the four-valve engine is approximately 540 horsepower.
Based on the new regulations for 2011 announced by the ACO (Le Mans governing body), Aston Martin Racing has chosen to change tack this year and has designed an open cockpit car. In line with the new 2011 rules, the AMR-One features the new blade-fin and has a significantly downsized engine in keeping with the championship’s efficiency-focused regulations. Power is fed to the rear wheels via a bespoke six-speed transverse semi-automatic (pneumatic) shift, Xtrac racing gearbox.
A total of six AMR-Ones will be built, with the factory team running one car in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) series that includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans and two cars at selected events. The AMR-One is linked to Aston Martin’s ultimate design and engineering showcase; the road going One-77; both share carbon fibre monocoques. Aston Martin’s in-house design team worked closely with the engineers at Aston Martin Racing to find the optimum balance between aesthetics and aerodynamics.
Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez said: “Aston Martin’s heritage is deeply rooted in endurance sports car racing, so in 2011 we take the next step demonstrating that a small team using advanced design and engineering intelligence will be agile and competitive.”
Team Principal George Howard-Chappell said: “We have chosen to run with a six-cylinder turbocharged engine because we believe it offers the best potential within the gas engine regulations. With the ACO’s commitment to effectively balance the performance of gas and diesel Le Mans entrants, our hopes are high that we’ll see the closest racing yet in the premier LMP1 category.
“It is expected that Aston Martin Racing will compete in selected races in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup with rounds in the United States (Petit Le Mans), Belgium (Spa), France (Le Mans), Italy (Imola), England (Silverstone) and China (TBC) and make its debut at Paul Ricard on the 1-3 April 2011.”
The AMR-One is expected to test for the first time in early March.
For more information about Aston Martin vehicles and the brand’s racing heritage, please visit, http://www.astonmartin.com/