One Of The Biggest Vehicles Of All Time Acquired Its Engine From This Typically Missed BMW Platform

Concurrent with the BMW Motorsports group of engineers working their magic to create the S70 engine, English automaker McLaren was growing its F1: a road authorized supercar from an organization which had beforehand solely constructed full-blown race automobiles. 

Since McLaren did not have deep sufficient pockets to develop its personal engine for the F1, it wanted to pair up with an OEM for the powerplant. Initially declined by Honda — an avid participant in Method 1 racing — McLaren then approached BMW, the place it was capable of strike a deal for the specified V12.

Like BMW’s mass-produced 5.0 liter V12, the McLaren engine was all-aluminum with a 60-degree angle between the cylinder banks, however the displacement grew to six.1 liters. Moreover being bigger, the bespoke McLaren V12 — formally often known as the S70/2 — additionally featured a dry sump oiling system, coil-on-plug ignition (widespread now, however an enormous deal on the time), and twin overhead cams in every cylinder head — versus only one in BMW’s S70. 

No dialogue of this motor could be full with out referencing its mailbox-size carbon-fiber consumption manifold, which covers twelve particular person butterfly throttle valves and 24 gasoline injectors — two for every cylinder. The ultimate product cranked out 618 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, reportedly exceeding McLaren’s expectations for the enterprise.