Blackout wrote:Merc cars have chunky engine covers only around the intake manifold/plenum because the Merc engine has a huge one and its not related to the split turbo.
Speaking about the advantages, Illien and Taffin themselves have identified some of the Merc architecture advantages. The swiss says the split turbo does have a cooler compressor and the french says the tubing (turbo-intercooler-engine) is much shorter. Even the exhaust tubing is shorter... and separated from the 'cold' tubes...
And lets not forget the more neutral weight distribution, the smaller/thinner/more undercut gearbox etc
Renault have studied that solution, but did they have the ressources/the ambition to really study it in depth in parallel with other solutions, produce a strong enough turbo-compressor shaft, an adequate MGUH etc? I dont think so...
Shorter piping, less air resistance hence less pressure drop, less weight because of less piping. And so on.
All this together creates those extra HP. The ICE itself is more or less equal with Ferrari, but is is the accessories that creates the advantage. Im am sure that in 2017 all will run the same layout as Mercedes and what Honda probably will do All the engines will have more or less the same output ...
But back to basics. The new updated Renault engine seems to work perfect in Monaco, since it seems to have excellent drivability
