UPDATE We hear the new Champ Car will remain a single turbo so the sound should be exactly the same as it is today. We are also hearing the car should be about 100 pounds lighter which should more than offset the decreased performance due to the narrower track/width.
09/25/05 A reader asks, Dear AutoRacing1.com, I keep hearing rumors that Champ Car might go to twin turbos on its Cosworth engine in 2007. Why?
James McCann, Houston, TX. Dear James, Yes, that option is being looked at. The advantages are that the two smaller turbos will spool up faster and reduce turbo lag a bit (though turbo lag is not a big issue these days), be more visible to a fan looking at the car in the pits with the bodywork off (the current turbos are pretty much hidden from view where they are mounted, and the 'twin' turbo name portrays a bit more sexy image. Getting the turbo out of the centerline spline of the engine/transmission will also allow the car to be a bit shorter, which Champ Car said it would be (i.e shorter, narrower and lighter, probably about the size of an F1 car).
The risk is that Champ Car will just decide to do this without having Cosworth build a prototype and later find out that the twin mufflers (yes, turbos act as mufflers) ruin the sound of the engine to the point it sounds like an ALMS Audi twin turbo engine – i.e. dull, quiet and a bit boring. One engine tech said it might sound like a V6, which would be a disaster. We have made a big issue about the sound of the cars as that projects an image. Image is based on two of our senses – sight and sound. Champ Car can ruin their image with an engine that completely neuters the sound of the cars The decision was made to stick with the turbos rather than go with a screaming normally aspirated V10 that would have knocked the fans socks off. That's fine, but if in the process they neglect to ensure a twin turbo sounds exciting, they will have done more harm than good. We think Tony Cotman is too smart to overlook such a detail. Mark C.
