Senest opdateret den 01-09-2001

MG Lola EX257

Den nye MG racer har endnu ikke fået noget navn. Vi ved at man arbejder på at det skal være en LMP675 racer.

Spørgsmålet er nu bare. kan en LMP675 matche en LMP 900 racer på Le Mans? der er flere der mener at LMP675 har en langt bedre benzinøkonomi end LMP900 og derfor kræver disse racerer færre pitstop, hvilket godt kan være afgørende.

MG raceren er efter sigende den første racer der 100% er bygget efter ACO's reglement og så er det tilmed den anden Engelske racer der kommer til Le Mans i 2001.

Nyheder:

29. Maj 2001	MG - Snetterton Test
20. maj 2001	MG Lola EX257 Le Mans Sports Car tests overnight at Magny Cours
2. maj 2001	MG EX257 Tester på Snetterton
1. Maj 2001	MG LOLA EX257 bliver præsenteret
6. April 2001	MG LMP 675 Shakedown
7. Marts 2001	Blundell skal køre MG
30. Januar 2001	MG kørerne bliver engelske
15. Januar	MG Forventes at køre Le Mans

Images copyright and courtesy MG-Rover Communications
Text copyright Michael J. Fuller

The Lola designed MG EX257 is the first chassis designed exclusively to the LMP 675 rules. The MG benefits from Lola's experience with their B2K/40 SR2 chassis chassis and also the B2K/10 LMP 900 chassis. This is exemplified by elements from both chassis' showing up in the MG EX257. The MG is a very contemporary carbon tubbed, single hooped, light LMP chassis. Under ACO LMP 675 rules, the MG should be capable of taking the race to the bigger LMP 900 cars. In a rough comparison of published weights and horsepowers between the MG and Audi R8, the MG has a hp to weight ratio of 3.3 lbs./hp, while the Audi comes in at around 3.25 lbs./hp. Add to that an advantage in fuel consumption and tire wear (which equates to less time in the pits), when all is said and done, don't be surprised if the MG, or other proper LMP 675s, give the 900s a run for the money.

The initial concept rendering. It embodies the design architecture of the final design, yet details are slightly different.

2001 MG Lola EX257 Specifications

Engine: MG XP-20, turbocharged and inter-cooled inline 4-cylinder.
Displacement: 2.0 liter
Horsepower: 450+ bhp
Chassis: One piece carbon fiber composite monocoque
Gearbox: 6-speed sequential gearbox. Lightweight magnesium main case.
Clutch: Carbon pull-type
Steering: Rack & pinion
Suspension: Fabricated steel double wishbones front & rear. Front suspension pivoting on flexures.
Brakes: 355 mm dia. x 35 mm, carbon fiber discs
Wheels: Forged magnesium
Front: 18” diameter on 11J rims
Rear: 18” diameter on 13J rims
Tires: Michelin Radial, Front: 27/65 x 18”, Rear: 31/71 x 18”
Length: 4500 mm
Width: 2000 mm
Wheelbase: 2750 mm
Track Front: 1750 mm
Track Rear: 1600 mm
Weight: 675 kgs.
Tank capacity: 90 liters

Her er nogle billeder fra præsentationen af bilen. Billederne er taget af Rick Wilson fra Maisonblanche.