Cosworth will provide the complete solution for the new GT race car

Cosworth will provide its class leading 2.0L YD race engine alongside high performance engine control and instrumentation systems for the new mid-engined Chevron competition coupe. An initial run of 20 of the new cars are being laid down for the one-make GR8 Challenge series, the opening event of which is planned for early 2010.

Cosworth has an unparalleled pedigree in developing high performance racing engines spanning half a century. Today Cosworth’s ever expanding range of ready-to-race performance packages is based around the YD (popularly referred to as the Duratec), which is generally considered to be the engine of choice for mid level racing because of its lightweight construction and impressive power potential.

High performance race engines require a suitably advanced control system to provide optimum power ”under the curve” and ensure that the engine is able to deliver both performance and reliability. The Cosworth group includes a dedicated electronics division, which provides superb ECU solutions under the Pectel Control Systems brand and industry leading data and instrumentation systems under the Pi Research brand.

The Cosworth package that will be supplied for Chevron Racing Cars’ new GR8 will include the Pectel CD4 unit, which offers unrivalled levels of precision and flexibility, using technologies derived from those that have been used to win World Rally Championship and FIA GT titles. The on-car electronics package is completed by the Pi Omega LCD panel display, which provides crystal-clear readouts for the driver and seamless integration with the engine control unit data.

Chevron Racing Cars has already released a concept study, which it says is fairly close to the final design. Weighing around 600 kg, the Cosworth 2.0L YD will provide the new GR8 with a power to weight ratio in excess of 400 bhp per tonne. Fabrication of the prototype is in progress and development testing is scheduled to commence in January.