Cosworth unveils naturally aspirated hypercar engine
British automotive engineering company Cosworth has launched what it calls its most powerful hypercar engine to date, following the unveiling of the Bugatti Tourbillon on June 20.
The Bugatti Tourbillon, a new-generation hyper sports car, joins a group of high-performance vehicles powered by Cosworth engines, including the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 and the Bizzarrini Giotto.
Marking Bugatti’s fourth hypercar engine partnership for Cosworth since 2020, previous collaborations include Cosworth designing and manufacturing an engine in 2021 for Bugatti’s latest hyper sports car, the successor to the Chiron.
The naturally aspirated V16 engine of the Bugatti Tourbillon was first hinted at in February 2024, but detailed specifications have been kept confidential until now. Cosworth has revealed more about the technical aspects of this hybrid engine.
The development process took Cosworth 13 months to transform the initial designs into a fully operational V16 engine at its Northampton headquarters. The project resulted in an 8.35-liter engine capable of revving up to 9000rpm.
Cosworth’s managing director of powertrain, Bruce Wood, said, “I think we all got goosebumps the first time we heard the roar of the Bugatti’s incredible V16 engine; it is a truly unique piece of machinery. Producing a V16, especially one as large as this 8.35 liter, is no easy feat. With the crank and camshafts measuring almost a meter long, we had to employ innovative design technology to overcome the torsional loads.
The engine features a cross-plane crank design with 90° bank angles and a dry sump system. It weighs 252kg, lighter than the naturally aspirated Aston Martin Valkyrie V12, thanks to weight optimization efforts such as titanium connecting rods and a carbon fiber inlet plenum. The crankshaft, made from a single billet, measures 900mm, contributing to the total engine length of just under one meter.
“The first thing that hits you when you see it is the sheer size of the engine – there is no escaping it. Yet we were able to use our experience to develop high tolerances within the design, thus reducing the mass and weight of the final product. When we heard it fire up on the dyno and reach maximum revs, we were astounded at the sound. The performance figures speak for themselves, and coupled with the hybrid powertrain, the experience of the Bugatti Tourbillon will be truly one of a kind,” Wood added.
Cosworth’s CEO, Dr Florian Kamelger, said: “This latest partnership with Bugatti, one of the most revered names in automotive performance, is a reflection of the world-class talent we have within Cosworth. Together, we have delivered something totally unique, within a tight timeframe, that will form part of one of the greatest hypercar powertrains ever created.”
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