McLaren MP4-27 launch
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- Valkyrize92
Seismica
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There are a lot of minor changes to the aerodynamics, particularly on the engine cover. The additional air intakes either side of the airbox have gone (presumably because they changed back to conventional sidepods) and all the lines and curves seem to meet at the same spot low down just above the diffuser, whereas last years car had lines flowing all over the place.
The black bodywork beneath the nose is not new, but it has been extended a bit, and it's shaped to improve airflow.
The car also has greater rake than the early versions of last years car (Although they won't be much difference to the car that raced in Brazil).
The rear end is certainly a lot tighter than last year (Again, the conventional sidepods contribute to this) but it's still not quite as tight as the Caterham (Which isn't unusual, Williams blew most teams away with their rear end last year and the car sucked - and not in a good way i.e. not closer to the ground).
Wheelbase is shorter, which may be good. Last years Mclaren was a lot long than the Red Bull, Ferrari etc.
The black bodywork beneath the nose is not new, but it has been extended a bit, and it's shaped to improve airflow.
The car also has greater rake than the early versions of last years car (Although they won't be much difference to the car that raced in Brazil).
The rear end is certainly a lot tighter than last year (Again, the conventional sidepods contribute to this) but it's still not quite as tight as the Caterham (Which isn't unusual, Williams blew most teams away with their rear end last year and the car sucked - and not in a good way i.e. not closer to the ground).
Wheelbase is shorter, which may be good. Last years Mclaren was a lot long than the Red Bull, Ferrari etc.
csmeteora9
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Wow! 
It is simply beautiful, can't say much more than that. While I do wonder if the car will offer big enough gains in performance over last years, I suspect the more significant changes aren't so visible in this case.
It is simply beautiful, can't say much more than that. While I do wonder if the car will offer big enough gains in performance over last years, I suspect the more significant changes aren't so visible in this case.
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Just my 2 cents, but I think that the rear is tighter this year because the exhausts have moved forwards. Last year's car had side pods that were further back (for the blown diffuser) so I guess the mp4-26 had metalwork around and near these exhaust for aerodynamic effects. But this year's car has exhaust which are far ahead, so I guess they can group the bodywork together without effecting the exhausts.
I think the shorter wheelbase could contribute to less drag because there's less surface area.
But I'm probably wrong.
I think the shorter wheelbase could contribute to less drag because there's less surface area.
But I'm probably wrong.
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Wow!
To be fair, it doesn't need to be better than last years car (no EBD this year), it just has to be better than everyone else's this year.
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csmeteora9
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Mind if I ask what does EBD mean?To be fair, it does need to be better than last years car (no EBD this year), it just has to be better than everyone else's this year.
Also Tim Goss who is McLaren's director of engineering has confirmed what myself and many others have been thinking.
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EBD is Exhaust Blown Diffuser where the hot air from the exhaust is blown to the diffuser when the driver lift off his foot from the accelerator. If you notice the cracking sound from last year's car when braking, that's EBD in action
csmeteora9
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Just seen this:
Edit: http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/3104/mp27.jpg A small duct in the sidepods, Yes I have been going through the Autosport McLaren fanboys forum
Edit: http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/3104/mp27.jpg A small duct in the sidepods, Yes I have been going through the Autosport McLaren fanboys forum
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Car looks decent given the regulations. Roll on Jerez.
csmeteora9
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They looked interesting I'll admit although the whole point of L-shaped sidepods was to help maximize air flow to the Exhaust Blown Diffuser, thus providing more downforce. Now blown diffusers are banned however, there doesn't seem to be an advantage to be gained from sculpting the sidepods in such a manner.
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First race ony 6 weeks away!
No Bahrain correct?
No Bahrain correct?
csmeteora9
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Bahrain is in for the moment, fourth race of the season.
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Try this for comparison, MP4-27 (top) and MP4-26 (bottom). Much tighter rear package - phnarr phnarr!
Differences I can see.
1. Longer nose
2. Steeper nose
3. Reworked Sidepods (front)
4. Reworked Sidepods (back) (Or is this the exhaust now?)
5. Reworked Rollbar area (Can't remember the name for this!)
6. Tighter rear end.
7. Black sticky outy bit underneath the front behind the suspension.
8. Angle of (front) tyres in the photo? - does this mean the wheels are closer together?
9. Higher wingmirrors
10. Shorter front wing (the length of the section here looks shorter on the new car)
11. Taller Rear wing.
12. Rear wing comes lower.
13. Black bits behind front wing come lower.
14. Black rims!!
C.
RTSolvalou
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The black wheels are nice.
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Exactly.. Most of the parts look like they're taken from last year's car straight. This is just the launch spec, I believe there will be more to come in the first race.
Just look at the launch spec of the MP4-26 and the Australia spec MP4-26. They look a little different. It's not really worth it to talk a lot at the moment...
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Fantastic looking automobile. I've been trying to wrap my head around the looks for the past two hours, trying to figure out what does what.
The way that McLaren and Caterham are using high mounted sidepod intakes, it seems that teams are looking for more ways to send more air to the rear diffuser without resorting to a blown diffuser? Sorry to have not been around for the launch discussion on this, so I might be missing something.
I love the looks. Absolutely love it. Looks aggressive. Looks sorted. Looks ready to race. And if looks equalled rear downforce, I'd say they have it in spades.
The way that McLaren and Caterham are using high mounted sidepod intakes, it seems that teams are looking for more ways to send more air to the rear diffuser without resorting to a blown diffuser? Sorry to have not been around for the launch discussion on this, so I might be missing something.
I love the looks. Absolutely love it. Looks aggressive. Looks sorted. Looks ready to race. And if looks equalled rear downforce, I'd say they have it in spades.
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Higher Res Studio Shots:
Gotta say I prefer the design over last years car, and the livery seems like it has a darker base to it, which I also prefer. Very thankful that McLaren have found a way to not have the 'duck-stepped nose'. As for the duct in the sidepod, if it's something special they could have recessed it more to hide it better.
Gotta say I prefer the design over last years car, and the livery seems like it has a darker base to it, which I also prefer. Very thankful that McLaren have found a way to not have the 'duck-stepped nose'. As for the duct in the sidepod, if it's something special they could have recessed it more to hide it better.
