McLaren – the power behind Formula E
McLaren – the power behind Formula E
Peter van Manen (Vice President, McLaren Applied Technologies) explains how McLaren’s unique racing pedigree and deep understanding of electronic systems is powering the all-new FIA Formula E Championship.
Why did McLaren Applied Technologies choose to support Formula E?
We believe that motorsport can play an significant role in showcasing and spearheading the development of future technologies that will have a big influence on the world in which we live. Lightweight hybrid and electrified cars will feature more widely in large urban environments and the Formula E concept is an exceptionally titillating innovation for world motorsport. Being involved in the series provides us with the chance to stay at the forefront of technical innovation with the chance to help inspire some of the cars of tomorrow.
Formula E was conceived at the same time we were ending development of the electrified motor and motor control unit for the McLaren P1 supercar, so the timing was right for us. We had made a puny and powerful powertrain unit that was just ideal for open wheel racing.
Can you explain what technology McLaren has contributed to Formula E?
We provide the powertrain. This includes the electrified motor which powers a 5-speed sequential gearbox and drives the rear wheels through a differential, a motor control unit which controls the electrical motor, and also all of the control electronics that manage the systems on the car.
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What makes this technology so special?
The electrified motor that we have developed is amazingly lightweight and powerful. In fact, as far as we know, it has the greatest power density of any automotive electrical motor in the world today. A typical series hybrid motor has a power density of 2-3kW/kg. The motor in Formula E produces a stunning 8kW/kg, which is three to four times higher.
What have been the most challenging technical aspects of the Formula E project?
The most challenging aspect of the project has been the very brief time available from concept to delivery. From originally conceiving the fresh racing series to delivering the cars was just over two years.
On the technical side, whenever you go into a different racing category you are faced with differences in how things operate. We witnessed this when we went from Formula One to NASCAR a duo of years ago. Moving away from internal combustion engines to fully electrified motors has been challenging because we have never worked on a fully electrified car before. Electrical motors behave differently, so things like how they are managed and how they react to switching driver deeds and ambient conditions on the track are fairly fresh.
There are unique characteristics of an electrical motor that need to be dealt with. For example, they have a very quick transient response and instant torque and braking. This all needs to be worked through cautiously.
McLAREN’S Electrified MOTOR HAS THE GREATEST POWER DENSITY OF ANY AUTOMOTIVE Electrical MOTOR IN THE WORLD TODAY.
How does the McLaren electrical motor differ to other automotive electrified motors?
Our motor is more powerful for its size than other automotive electrical motors. It achieves this by being very efficient electromagnetically and also having a very good cooling system. The essence of any motor, and electrical motors in particular, is that if you make them petite, you still need to get the warmth out. They’re generating a lot of power, which in turn generates warmth. We’ve managed to navigate this trade-off successfully, and this has certainly contributed to its spectacle.
How has the electrical motor been running in the McLaren P1 – is this a good indicator of its reliability in Formula E?
The McLaren P1 has now been in production since October 2013, so there are already fairly a number of them on the road. Before going into production there was extensive spectacle, environmental and stamina testing, so that itself creates a high level of confidence. So, we are in a fairly good position; the requirements you have for proving-out something for automotive use give a lot of exercise to the motors, so we know how it reacts under different circumstances.
However, there are obviously differences inbetween the use of the motor in the McLaren P1 and Formula E. We are running the motors stiffer, but for shorter periods in Formula E, and we don’t have the luxury of the P1’s internal combustion engine fastened to it – it is just operating as an electrical motor. Because of this, there are a number of things that we have had to do differently in terms of how it operates.
What are the potential uses of the technology outside of motorsport?
There is no doubt in my mind that we will see more hybrid and electrified vehicles on the road every year, if for no other reason than there being more and more people living in cities. Because of this, there is a keen requirement to deal with enlargened emissions. We’ll see motors becoming smaller as adoption increases, and the technologies that we have been pioneering in motorsport can lead the way in that.
Outside of the automotive arena, there are many other applications for electrified motors. As power density proceeds to improve, they will become far more accessible and useable in these different areas.
KEY FACTS – THE Electrical MOTOR IN Act
Maximum power in practice & qualifying: 200kW
Maximum power in the race: 133kW with a 67kW push-to-pass
The cars will be operating in ‘regeneration mode’ for 10% of the race. The driver takes his foot off the throttle, and the electrified motor starts acting as a motor generator which slows the car down but also recharges the battery.
The batteries are capable of delivering their average power for twenty – twenty five minutes, so drivers will switch into a fresh car after this time.
The very first ever FIA Formula E Championship race takes place on Saturday 13th September in the grounds of the iconic Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium, Beijing. Tune into LIVE coverage on ITV4 at 08:00 UK time.
