AUBURN HILLS, Mich.,
May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The 46th
annual BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award has been presented to
engineers Mark Kent and Matt Wiles from General Motors (GM) and
Steve Miller and Steve O'Connor from
Ilmor Engineering for the Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Engine. Designed for
fuel efficiency, performance and low friction, the 2.2-liter
twin-turbo engine has demonstrated superior fuel economy while
posting four wins in the first four IZOD IndyCar® Series races of
the 2012 season.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120521/DE10277 )
GM's first IndyCar engine since 2004 was built through a
collaborative effort, uniting GM's experience in E85 fuel and
direct injection with Ilmor Engineering's race engine design
expertise. GM's goal was to develop new technologies for a powerful
fuel-efficient engine that could be transferred to production cars.
To boost performance and throttle response, the engine uses twin
turbochargers. The production-car based Hitachi fuel delivery
system was enhanced with six high-pressure direct injectors in the
heads and six lower-pressure injectors in the plenum. Operating at
up to 12,000 RPM, this is the highest revving direct injection
engine in racing competition today. Computer models and empirical
testing led to a technology breakthrough in the placement of the
injectors that could be utilized in production cars. Special
coatings in the engine and exhaust system reduce friction and
improve fuel economy. Compression ratios and piston shapes were
also designed for optimal thermodynamics. A pool of engines has
been produced to support Team Penske, Andretti Autosport, KV Racing
Technology, Ed Carpenter Racing, Panther Racing, Dragon Racing, and
Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing this year.
Presented by engineers to engineers, the BorgWarner Louis
Schwitzer Award recognizes individuals for innovation and
engineering excellence in the field of race car design,
specifically related to the annual Indianapolis 500 race. BorgWarner sponsors the
prestigious $10,000 award to be
presented by the Indiana Section of SAE International. The winners
are also honored at an awards banquet, and their names are
immortalized on the Schwitzer trophy on permanent display at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
Initiated in 1967, the award memorializes Louis Schwitzer, a true automotive pioneer who
had close ties to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) at its very
beginning a century ago. Both an engineer and professional race car
driver, Schwitzer won the first auto race at the IMS in 1909 and
designed the "Marmon Yellow Jacket" engine that powered the Marmon
Wasp to victory at the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. After working in the
automotive industry for many years, he founded the Schwitzer
Corporation, which produced innovative cooling fans, water pumps
and turbochargers. In 1999, the Schwitzer Corporation joined
BorgWarner. Throughout his career, Schwitzer enjoyed numerous
technological accomplishments, supported higher education, led the
IMS technical committee for many years and maintained a strong
association with SAE.
BorgWarner continues his legacy of technology leadership as the
official turbocharger supplier of the IZOD IndyCar® Series. The
engine of every car in the 2012 field will be boosted by
BorgWarner's new line of EFR (for "Engineered For Racing")
turbochargers, which feature Gamma TiAl (titanium aluminide)
turbine wheels, ceramic ball bearings and stainless steel turbine
housings.
About BorgWarner
Auburn Hills,
Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a technology
leader in highly engineered components and systems for powertrain
applications worldwide. Operating manufacturing and technical
facilities in 59 locations in 19 countries, the company develops
products to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance
performance. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota,
Renault/Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler,
Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. For more information,
please visit www.borgwarner.com.
SOURCE BorgWarner