ride height, but for the 01B the bumper has been manufactured using more flexible composite resins, which can move and return to original shape. It also has revised engine and cooling air intake positions and sizes (within the FIA 2500cm2
limitation on
frontal openings) and modified radiator ducting. An electric water pump is
also new for 01B, replacing the alternator belt-driven mechanical pump. This reduces belt length and vulnerability and aids serviceability, plus has the added benefit of removing the extra pressure drop seen at high rpm with the mechanical pump. Having full control of water flow with the electric pump also aids detonation control, plus fewer mechanical losses pick up some engine performance. The
alternator is now re-located to the old mechanical water pump’s position, and a Cosworth software upgrade controls the pump. The alternator re-location also enables the turbocharger (previously fixed in a canted position) to be lined up with its air intake, both removing a potential fracture point in the piping and centralising the restrictor in the area where optimum air volume and a better flow path to the (revised) restrictor is available.
ELECTRICAL UPGRADE Many of 01B’s software revisions are ‘tidying-up’ – making fuel sensor calibration easier, for example, and these come together with completely new
engine and chassis wiring looms. It is a big electrical upgrade, catering for the higher power requirement of the electric water pump and revisions of powers and grounds (earths) for correct sharing. A number of critical sensors shared grounds with non-critical sensors in 01A, introducing unwelcome signal- to-noise ratios due to distortion. Connectors on the engine loom are now of a higher quality for reliability, as it was found that the previous connectors tended to become unreliable after a high mileage had been covered. Further electrical
improvements include a lithium-ion battery which, in the event of alternator failure,
improves the car’s stage life to 20km, compared to its lead-acid equivalent’s two kilometres. The new battery is also 12kg lighter, which contributes to a 14kg base weight reduction for the 01B, aiding ballast positions and overall car balance. A kit of parts will be available
to upgrade 01A cars to 01B around June or July this year and, once a joker is played for homologated parts, there is 12 months leeway from approval date before the fitment of those joker parts is mandatory. All in all, more than 100 changes have been introduced for the 01B car, which the Prodrive WRC team debuted at Rally Portugal between 29 March and 1 April this year. The net result of all these updates will, the teams hope, be a faster, more reliable WRC contender.
A great deal of the development work on the new Mini 01B has been on wheel travel, suspension settings and damper specification
May 2012 •
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