The Car of the Future will be significantly cheaper than the current V8 Supercars, pictured at the Sydney Telstra 500.
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By Briar Gunther 11:57 AM Thu 30 December, 2010
Source: BigPond Sport
V8 Supercars’ Car of the Future (CotF) prototypes are likely to miss the first test day of the 2011 season, according to V8X magazine.
The prototypes were intended to be ready for the January 29 test day at Eastern Creek but supplier componentry delays have slowed the project.
“The original plan was to start testing mid-January and we just can’t meet that date now,” V8 Supercars Racing Director Adam Perry told V8X.
“I would say the end of February is a realistic objective.”
Perry acknowledged that tough deadlines were originally set for the project.
“We are disappointed we are not going to hit them, but we just have to cop that on the chin,” he said.
V8X also reports that a transaxle transmission will be used to help cut costs because it will be cheaper than a custom differential and cheaper to service than the current diff.
“Each of them costs about $25,000 which is extremely cost-effective,” Perry told V8X.
“That compares to a Holinger gearbox at around $19,000 and a diff at between $10,000 and $12,000.
“So we have come back in cost, but we are also getting a custom-made crown wheel and pinion that will have longer service intervals and move us forward as a category.”
A total of five transaxles – two from Australian companies and three from overseas – will all be tested for the Car of the Future.
“We are also battling with our weight distribution, so the transaxle gives us the opportunity to move 30 to 40 kilograms rearward in the car,” Perry said.
To enhance safety, V8 Supercars is investigating the introduction of polycarbonate windscreens which cost $3000 but are 250 times stronger than glass.
Meanwhile, Triple Eight Race Engineering has won the tender to produce the pedal box for CotF, Racer Industries will provide the fire system and collapsible steering column, Motec will supply the electronics and AP Racing will supply the air jack system.
For more information on V8 Supercars’ Car of the Future, visit the page http://www.v8supercars.com.au/cotf/tabid/914/default.aspx
