Mercedes V6 hybrid Formula One power unit

The Mercedes V6 hybrid Formula One power unit is a series of 1.6-litre, 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 630 kW (840 hp) at 15,000 rpm, to 770 kW (1,030 hp) 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. Their most recent championship victories are in 2020 (Drivers') and 2024 (Constructors').

Mercedes V6 turbo-hybrid power unit[1]
The Mercedes M10 power unit, used in the 2019 season
Overview
ManufacturerMercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains
Production2014–present
Layout
ConfigurationV-6 single hybrid turbocharged engine, 90° cylinder angle
Displacement1.6 L (98 cu in)
Cylinder bore80 mm (3.15 in)
Piston stroke53 mm (2.09 in)
Cylinder block materialAluminum alloy
Cylinder head materialAluminum alloy
Valvetrain24-valve (four-valves per cylinder), DOHC
Compression ratiounder 18:1
RPM range
Idle speed5,000 rpm
Max. engine speed15,000 rpm
Combustion
TurbochargerHybrid turbocharger with 350–500 kPa (3.5–5.0 bar) boost pressure
Fuel system50 MPa; 7,252 psi (500 bar) gasoline direct injection
ManagementMcLaren TAG-320 (2014-2018) later TAG-320B (2019-present)
Fuel typePetronas Primax unleaded gasoline 94.25% + 5.75% biofuel[2] and Mobil (McLaren only in 2014)
Oil systemDry sump
Cooling systemSingle water pump
Output
Power output626–768 kW (840–1,030 hp)
Torque outputApprox. 600–822 N⋅m (443–606 ft⋅lb)
Dimensions
Dry weight145–150 kg (320–331 lb) overall including headers, clutch, ECU, spark box or filters
Chronology
PredecessorMercedes-Benz FO engine
Mercedes PU106 Hybrid Power Unit on display at the Silverstone Experience

Enduring a successful run since the 2014 season, the Mercedes V6 Hybrid engine has become one of the most successful Formula One engines of all time.[3] It broke the record for most wins in a season in 2016 (this record has 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 drivers' championships and the Mercedes factory team won a record-breaking eight consecutive constructors' championships powered by Mercedes V6 hybrid engines.

List of Formula One engines

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Specifications of the Mercedes V6 hybrid F1 power units
Season Name Format Peak power @ rpm
Including hybrid system where applicable
Notes
2014 Mercedes-Benz PU106A 1.600 L 90° V6 turbo hybrid 630 kW (840 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[4][unreliable source?]
2015 Mercedes-Benz PU106B 649 kW (870 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[5][unreliable source?] Adapted for use in the Mercedes-AMG One[6]
2016 Mercedes-Benz PU106C 670 kW (900 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[7]
2017 Mercedes-AMG M08 EQ Power+ 708 kW (949 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[8][unreliable source?]
2018 Mercedes-AMG M09 EQ Power+ 720 kW (970 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[9]
2019 Mercedes-AMG M10 EQ Power+ Badged as "BWT Mercedes" for Racing Point
2020 Mercedes-AMG M11 EQ Performance 740 kW (990 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[10][unreliable source?]
2021 Mercedes-AMG M12 E Performance 770 kW (1,030 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[10][unreliable source?]
2022 Mercedes-AMG M13 E Performance 770 kW (1,030 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[11][unreliable source?]
2023 Mercedes-AMG M14 E Performance
2024 Mercedes-AMG M15 E Performance

Statistics

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Mercedes-AMG W11 F1 car, powered by a Mercedes V6 Hybrid engine, it was one of the most successful F1 cars of all time

The Formula One regulations in 2014 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 133 and won 124 of 228 races (as of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix), and won 7 drivers' championships and 9 constructors' championships.

Season statistics for Mercedes engines

Season Constructors Races Wins Pole positions 1–2 finishes Podiums Fastest laps WCC
2014 Mercedes, Force India, McLaren, Williams 19 16 19 15 41 17 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th
2015 Mercedes, Force India, Lotus, Williams 19 16 18 12 38 13 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th
2016 Mercedes, Force India, MRT, Williams 21 19 20 8 35 10 1st, 4th, 5th, 11th
2017 Mercedes, Force India, Williams 20 12 15 4 27 10 1st, 4th, 5th
2018 Mercedes, Force India, Williams 21 11 13 4 26 10 1st, 7th, 10th
2019 Mercedes, Racing Point, Williams 21 15 10 9 32 9 1st, 7th, 10th
2020 Mercedes, Racing Point, Williams 17 14 16 6 29 9 1st, 4th, 10th
2021 Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams 22 10 10 1 35 12 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th
2022 Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams 22 1 1 1 18 8 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th
2023 Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams 22 0 1 0 24 8 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th
2024 Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams 24 10 12 4 30 12 1st, 4th, 5th, 9th

Other applications

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Mercedes-AMG One

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The Mercedes-AMG One at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Mercedes-AMG One production hypercar features a powertrain similar to modern Formula One cars. The production version of the car features a modified version of the 1.6 L (98 cu in) 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 in a reduction in idle rpm and redline rpm among many other changes to make it road-legal. The modified internal combustion engine (ICE) produces a maximum power output of 422 kW (574 PS; 566 hp). Torque figures were unmeasurable due to the complex powertrain.[15]

The internal combustion engine works in conjunction with four electric motors; a 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp) MGU-K coupled to the crankshaft, a 90 kW (122 PS; 121 hp) MGU-H coupled to the turbocharger, and two electric motors in the front axle producing 240 kW (326 PS; 322 hp).[16] The One has a total combined power output of 782 kW (1,063 PS; 1,049 hp). 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] Two electric motors drive the front wheels and creates an all-wheel drive drivetrain, the sum of these four electric motors contribute 360 kW (489 PS; 483 hp) of effective power to the total power output figure of the AMG One.

The head of Mercedes-AMG, Tobias Moers, claimed that the engine idles at 1,280 rpm and 11,000 rpm at its redline limit. However, the engine will only last for 50,000 km (31,000 mi) and the owners would have to return their cars for an engine refurbishment costing 850,000 euros. This Formula One inspired powertrain helps the car attain a top speed of 352 km/h (219 mph). According to Mercedes-AMG, the car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (120 mph) in 7.0 seconds and 0 to 300 km/h (190 mph) in 15.6 seconds.[19]

References

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