McLaren And BMW Join Forces To Develop New Engine Technology

The new collaboration between British supercar maker McLaren and German automotive giant BMW will see the two companies, who are known for their performance prowess, combine forces to develop new engines that are capable of delivering a higher output per capacity than currently possible.

The collaborative project also aims to help bring CO2 levels emitted from the exhaust down as well through the new technology as carmakers try to keep up with increasingly stricter emission norms. The new engine technology is destined for application in future McLaren and BMW engines.

The collaboration between the two automakers is part of a project part-funded and supported by the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). The project is lead by Mclaren Automotive but involves a total of six partners.

The other participants in the project include McLaren's current engine partner Ricardo along with BMW.

Also involved are automotive casting experts Grainger and Worrall who will deliver complex, lightweight casting technology while Lentus Composites will share their expert knowledge in specialist composite structures.

The University of Bath will also add their advanced research and development capabilities in internal combustion engine systems efficiency to the mix as well.

The total cost of the project is is £28m (Rs 238.18 crore), half of which is being provided by the Government. The other £14 million (Rs 119.09 crore) will split among the project collaborators.

The last time BMW and McLaren got together for some engine work it resulted in the BMW V12 powered McLaren F1 which claimed the world record for the highest top speed recorded by a production car in 1998 by hitting 240.1mph (386.4km/h).