Honeywell Turbo Technologies Lead The 2016 Field For The 24 Hours Of Le Mans Race

Honeywell (NYSE: HON), the leading global developer of automotive turbochargers, is once again supplying a range of turbo technologies to many of the world’s best endurance teams at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. Honeywell cutting-edge turbo technology, which delivers unmatched performance and reliability, will boost all the top Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) entries from Porsche, Audi and Toyota using hybrid powertrains as well as both privateer teams using traditional powertrains.

In addition to the purpose-built LMP1 race cars, Honeywell is also excited to provide its turbo technology to the Ford factory team returning to compete in the Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (GTE) category. Based upon the all-new Ford GT supercar, four Ford GT race cars will compete against other established manufacturers in the class which highlights vehicles available for public sale.

Honeywell supplies turbo solutions supporting the individual strategies and configurations of its customer teams while competing under the most grueling racing conditions. In this year’s race, Honeywell technology will be paired with gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrain designs. With more than 60 years of industry leadership in turbocharger innovation, and the internal resources and expertise of Honeywell Aerospace to draw upon, Honeywell Transportation Systems provides technology that wins races and influences future production vehicles.

The race cars will cover more than 3,300 miles in a 24-hour period and will spend 75 percent of the race at full throttle. With each of the circuit’s 38 turns, the ability to get back to full power is the key at corners like Tertre Rouge, which leads to the 215-mph Mulsanne Straight, and again at the Mulsanne Corner, where drivers slow to 70 mph to negotiate the sharp 90-degree turn that leads to the challenging Indianapolis and Arnage sections of the track.

Honeywell Technology at Le Mans in 2016

Porsche 919 Hybrid

Honeywell was part of Team Porsche’s new lap record and one-two championship finish in 2015; it provided its new gasoline DualBoost(TM) turbo technology to assist the team. Honeywell’s gasoline DualBoost technology follows its award-winning diesel DualBoost passenger vehicle program to meet the unique challenges of a gasoline powertrain. Gasoline DualBoost technology provides 20 to 30 percent better transient response for improved acceleration out of corners and more steady state engine power from higher turbine efficiency. This is achieved in an overall lighter weight package that is 10 to 20 percent smaller than an equivalent standard gasoline turbo. This year, the gasoline DualBoost technology has increased its efficiency, allowing the team to generate additional electrical power for the race car.

Audi R18

Audi’s highly efficient R18 e-tron quattro hybrid powertrain uses Honeywell’s expertise with variable geometry turbochargers (VNT) designed for diesel engines that improve fuel economy and provide consistent, transient throttle response. Audi’s 4L, V6 turbodiesel is highly efficient and excellent at heat management, earning Audi the highest marks in fuel efficiency in the LM P1 category. Audi Sport’s engine development efforts in racing using Honeywell’s VNT technology have helped parent Volkswagen AG bring to market a new 1.5L variable geometry gasoline engine as unveiled earlier in 2016. Honeywell’s development of the Audi R18 VNT turbocharger has helped get a head start in bringing to market an industry-first, high-volume, 1.5 liter gasoline variable geometry turbo for Volkswagen AG recently unveiled earlier in 2016.

Toyota TS050 HYBRID

Toyota’s all-new TS050 HYBRID recently made the switch from naturally aspirated to forced induction with a 2.4L twin-turbo, direct injection V6 gas engine paired with a hybrid system. The team’s new direction to turbocharging is better suited to FIA World Endurance Championship rules, which limit fuel delivery to the engine, and Honeywell’s approach facilitates technology transfer from race cars to road cars. The smooth power generation and responsiveness of the ultra-lightweight Honeywell gas turbochargers helped the Toyota team with improved drivability and throttle response, providing greater feel for the drivers. The new powertrain adds different cooling and packaging demands, including an updated transmission to handle the significant increase in torque from the turbocharged engine. Early results indicate the turbocharged racecar is 2 seconds per lap faster than last year’s naturally-aspirated entry.

Ford GT

The Ford GT is making its long-awaited return to the GTE Pro category at Le Mans with a 3.6L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 with Honeywell turbochargers. All four entries will be running a reliable and powerful version of Honeywell’s lightweight ball-bearing turbo technology. With state-of-the-art aerodynamics, lightweight carbon fiber construction and a powerful and efficient Ford EcoBoost engine, the turbo is custom engineered for the constant high temperatures and boost pressures encountered on the race track.

Gavin Donkin, vice president of product development for Honeywell Transportation Systems “Le Mans is an iconic race because it demands power, fuel economy and durability under grueling operating conditions that challenge the driver, the car and the team. Honeywell has proven itself at Le Mans as contributor to the last 16 champions and an amazing number of entrants in various categories.

“This year, our racing turbos will help Porsche achieve and maintain peak horsepower, enable Audi to increase fuel efficiency, and make Toyota’s first turbocharged car even more drivable than its naturally aspirated predecessor.”

Craig Balis, chief technology officer for Honeywell Transportation Systems “The work we do in motorsport directly influences our turbo technology available in passenger vehicles. Used in our aerospace business and developed for automotive use through our motorsport efforts, Honeywell has become the industry leader for ball-bearing technology that improves responsiveness and fuel economy. More recently, the Le Mans lessons of heat management have helped us develop variable geometry gasoline turbochargers as unveiled by Volkswagen earlier this year in a future 1.5L production engine.”

Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft, and its turbochargers are used by nearly every automaker and truck manufacturer around the world. The Aerospace business unit develops innovative solutions for more fuel efficient automobiles and airplanes, more direct and on-time flights, safer flying and runway traffic, along with aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity services, logistics and more. The business delivers safer, faster, and more efficient and comfortable transportation-related experiences worldwide. For more information, visit www.honeywell.com or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero and @Honeywell_Turbo.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and  performance materials.  For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials.  For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.