It has been suggested that this article be merged into Lola B02/50. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2024. |
The Lola A1GP was a vehicle designed to compete in the A1 Grand Prix. The car was standardised for every team to provide a level playing field for competing nations. It was designed to reduce the volume of "dirty air", allowing drivers to close in on the car in front, encouraging overtaking. The bodywork was mainly pre-impregnated carbon fibre composites.[1] From 2008–09 Ferrari was consulted on the design and manufacture for all A1 Grand Prix cars.[2] From the 2008-2009 season the Lola A1GP car was replaced by the A1GP Powered by Ferrari car.
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| Constructor | Lola |
|---|---|
| Technical specifications | |
| Length | 543 mm |
| Width | 619 mm |
| Height | 542 mm |
| Engine | ZA1348 3400 cc 90 degree V8 na |
| Torque | 330 lbf·ft (442 N·m) |
| Power | 520-550 bhp (388-410 kW) |
| Weight | 120 kg |
| Fuel | 100 octane rating 70% + Ethanol E30 30% |
| Competition history | |
| Notable entrants | All A1 teams |
| Notable drivers | All A1 drivers |
| Debut | 2005–06 A1GP Britain |
| Last event | 2007–08 A1GP Britain |
Design
editThe Lola A1GP was the spec car used by the series from the 2005–06 season to the 2007–08 season. It was powered by Zytek engines, and ran on Cooper tyres. The former chassis was then used in the Euroseries 3000 (or Auto GP) started in 2009.[3][4]
Chassis
editThe chassis, designated Lola A1GP[5] is made and designed by Lola Cars. The A1 Car's carbon fibre skin cloaks a core of aluminium honeycomb. Based on bionic engineering principles found in nature, the hexagonal honeycomb provides remarkable strength for its weight, and has progressive deformation properties in response to an impact, which contributes to driver safety. In addition, drivers are protected by FIA-approved side intrusion panels that protect them from lateral impacts.[6]
Engine
editThe engine for the cars was developed by Zytek Engineering. The 3.4-litre V8 unit is capable of delivering 520 bhp (550 bhp in PowerBoost mode). Each engine must be very durable, as it must last a whole season. The engine only weighs 120 kilograms, making it one of the lightest 3.4-litre engines ever made.[7]
Technical specifications
editThe car has an overall length of 4833 mm, with a long wheelbase of 3000 mm and a wide track of 1476 mm (front) and 1468 mm (rear). Its total weight amounts to 615 kilograms, without the driver and the fuel.[8]
- Cylinder block: Sand cast aluminium alloy
- Cylinder head: Sand cast aluminium alloy
- Valvetrain: 4 overhead camshafts 4 valves per Cylinder
- Engine Management: Zytek EMS 4.6.1
- Ignition: Zytek DCDI with coil over plug
- Spark plugs: NGK
- Max speed: 300 km/h
Suspension
editThe front and rear suspension is of a double wishbone and pushrod operated twin coil over damper construction. Adjustable ride height, cambers and toe, as well as anti-dive and anti-squat made to optimise drive control.
Clutch
editA two-piece carbon clutch was tailored especially for the car to handle 550 bhp (410 kW) and the two racing starts per weekend. The unit combines lightweight construction with durability and reliability. The A1 car's gearchange is by an electronically controlled paddle-shifting via a six-speed paddle-shift semi-automatic sequential transmission
PowerBoost
editThe PowerBoost button on the A1 car allows the engine to reach its maximum of 550 bhp (410 kW). When used at the right time, this feature can encourage overtaking. For the PowerBoost to activate, the throttle position must be above 80% and the speed more than 60 km/h. The button must also be depressed to continue on PowerBoost mode. However, the PowerBoost automatically deactivates itself if the throttle falls below 40%. Each driver only has a limited number of uses of the PowerBoost function. The driver can only use it four times in a sprint race and eight times in a feature race. Once these maximum allocated uses of the PowerBoost have been used, the system is disabled until the end of the race, after which Zytek engineers reset the system for the next race.[9]
Tyres
editA1 Grand Prix uses slick tyres on normal dry races. Pneumatics were supplied exclusively by Cooper Tires.
Fuel
editA1 Grand Prix uses 100 RON unleaded in 2005-2008 later E30 Biofuel and 70% unleaded gasoline in 2008-2009 for all cars.
References
edit- ^ A1 GP Car regulations: Bodywork Archived August 29, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "A1GP : News". Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 11 October 2007. Article from a1gp.com about Ferrari
- ^ "Positivo debutto della nuova Lola B0552-Zytek da 550 cv a Magione" (in Italian). Euro Formula 3000. 6 March 2009. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- ^ "Euro 3000 com antigos carros do A1GP" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- ^ "The Type Numbers". Lola Heritage. Archived from the original on 2 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ "A1 GP Car regulations: Chassis". Archived from the original on 6 December 2006. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ "A1 GP engine spec" (PDF). Formula3.cc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ A1 GP Car regulations: Dimensions Archived August 23, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ A1 Grand Prix Car regulations Archived August 23, 2006, at the Wayback Machine