Honda RA271

Racing car
Car_name = Honda RA271


Category = Formula One
F1 car = Y
Constructor = Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Designer = Yoshio Nakamura
Shoichi Sano
Team = Honda R&D Co.
Drivers = flagicon|USA Ronnie Bucknum
Technical ref = cite web|title= 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology - Honda RA271 |url= http://www.jsae.or.jp/autotech/data_e/1-35e.html |work= Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan |accessdate= 2008-04-11]
Chassis = Aluminium monocoque with tubular rear subframe.
Front suspension = Double wishbone, with inboard coilover spring/damper units.
Rear suspension = As front.
Wheelbase = Auto mm|2300|0
Track = F: Auto mm|1300|0
R: Auto mm|1350|0
Engine name = Honda
Capacity = Auto cc-cu in|1495|1
Configuration = 60° V12,
Turbo/NA = naturally-aspirated.
Engine position = Transverse, mid-mounted.
Gearbox name = Honda
Gears = 6-speed
Type = manual transmission.
Differential =
Weight = Auto kg|525|0
Fuel = BP
Tyres = Dunlop
Debut = 1964 German Grand Prix
Races = 3
Wins = 0
Poles = 0
Fastest_laps = 0

The Honda RA271 was Honda's second Formula One racing car, and its first to actually enter a race.

The car was developed from the company's 1963 prototype, retrospectively designated RA270. The RA271 made its race debut during the 1964 Formula One season, just one year after Honda started producing road cars, and was the first Japanese-built car ever to enter a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship.

Although RA271s only contested three 1964 Grands Prix, driven on each occasion by American sports car racing-specialist Ronnie Bucknum, its innovative, transversely-mounted, Auto L|1.5|0 V12 engine – sometimes cited as "the strongest engine of F1's 1.5-litre era"cite web|last= Figa |first= T |url= http://www.forix.com/8w/honda.html |title= Honda: How It All Started |work= 8W |date= 2000-11-18 |accessdate= 2008-04-11] – formed the basis of Honda's race-winning RA272 of F1|1965 at the Mexican GP, driven by Richie Ginther (USA).

Engine dimensions of the 1965 48-valve V12 were 58.1 x 47.0 mm 1,495.28 cc. 230 bhp @ 13,000 rpm was quoted. This was the most powerful F1 engine of 1965. The engine was safe to 14,000 rpm. Since the 1967 4-cylinder 498.57 cc engine (57.5 x 48.0mm) eventually gave almost 90 bhp @ 12,600 rpm, the V12 had the potential of 270 bhp with further development.

References

External links