When engine details were still interesting
10/06/2024
In July 1967, Renault announced a new three-liter racing engine. The press was not only provided with many details of the design, but also with several photos and drawings of the engine.
The engine was a unit from horsepower wizard Amédée Gordini, which had been developed in around five months in the first half of 1967. Eight cylinders in a V-shape (90 degree angle), four overhead camshafts, two valves per cylinder and carburetor equipment were the basic data.
The announcement spoke of 315 to 325 hp at 8000 rpm. However, the engine did not prove to be so stable in the first tests and the limit had to be lowered to 7000 rpm, which also reduced the power output.
The special feature of the new engine, which had a cast iron cylinder block, removable wet liners and aluminum cylinder heads, was that it fitted into a cube with a side length of 60 cm and was designed to be mounted in the rear. This made it ideal for the slim Le Mans prototypes that were produced by Alpine and had previously only been equipped with small engines.
The development of the V8 was based on the previous four-cylinder engines and the cylinder heads were adopted almost unchanged.
The engine was intended for use in the Alpine endurance racing cars, but series production in an Alpine GT sports car was also an option.
Unfortunately, the project was not as successful as hoped. Initial use of the new engine in an A211 developed from the Alpine A210 did not lead to the hoped-for results. And as an A220, no major successes were achieved in either 1968 or 1969. The engine always lacked a little power and the overall package also lacked reliability.
In any case, it was an exciting story, which is why we have published all the photos and drawings, as well as the press release. For all those who want to know a little more.
