According to Autocar, Audi and Porsche have partnered on an engineering project to create a new lineup of turbocharged V6 and V8 petrol engines.
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Why Porsche and Audi won’t collaborate on an F1 engine program
Why won’t the two VW-owned companies collaborate on a power unit program if Audi has said that they would compete in Formula One in 2026 and Porsche is rumored to be doing the same?
Claims that Audi and Porsche might collaborate on a Formula 1 power unit project in 2026 have been refuted.
Audi will enter Formula One as an engine supplier, it was revealed on Friday after months of rumors.
The Volkswagen Group owns both the Audi and Porsche brands, and both have been strongly rumored to enter Formula One in 2026 to match with the sport’s new power unit regulations.
Herbert Diess, the outgoing CEO of the VW Group, had stated in May that Audi and Porsche will be allowed to compete in Formula One.
Audi CEO Markus Duesmann stated that there will not be a pooling of F1 resources between the two manufacturers, despite the fact that Porsche and Audi exchange components across their respective road car divisions.
“If Porsche enters, they will have their activities in the UK, fully distinct from [Audi]’s operations in Germany.”
Does Porsche utilize VW motors?
Since Porsche is a member of the Volkswagen Auto Group (VAG), which also includes VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Bentley, Lamborghini, and even Bugatti, certain of its parts are also used by those automakers. Parts sharing is typical practice among many manufacturers because it significantly reduces costs.
Although some businesses, like Aston Martin, are completely independent, they are compelled to pay other automakers, like Mercedes, enormous sums of money to essentially copy and paste last-generation Mercedes infotainment systems.
This sort of stuff is considerably more convenient if you are a member of the VAG. Most clients won’t even notice if you simply share modern parts and reskin them. To put things in perspective, I should mention that I drive a 2018 Audi A3, and that the steering wheel of my A3 resembles that of the brand-new Bentley Continental disturbingly.
The engines, however, are typically shared with Audi rather than VW, even if Porsche does share many parts with the rest of the VAG. Up to this point, there had not been as much engine sharing between VW and Porsche cars as there was in the past.
For its Formula 1 entry, Audi claims it chose to construct a distinct engine from Porsche in order to facilitate easier cooperation with various chassis.
At the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday, the German automaker finally announced its participation in Formula One for the 2026 season, announcing it would be building and producing its own power unit from its Neuburg headquarters. Although there has not yet been a formal announcement regarding the partnership, it will involve Sauber.
Audi’s intention to build its own engine has generated some interest because sister company Porsche will be teaming up with the Milton Keynes-based team to use its own engine as well. Porsche is anticipated to announce its entry with Red Bull in the coming weeks.
As a result, parent firm VW will have to invest more money in two distinct engine development programs than if they just shared ideas and rebadged them.
Markus Deusmann, chairman of the board at Audi, revealed that there had been extensive internal debate inside the firm about whether or not to pool engine resources with Porsche before the decision to have distinct projects was made.
In the end, he claimed that the demand for Audi to act independently came from the need to optimize power units for certain teams.
He remarked, “You can imagine there was a big discussion. “But we choose to keep it totally independent and conduct two operations because both of our brands have large followings and distinctive personalities.
“We had a number of explanations for that. There will be various teams, thus the powerplant needs to be specifically tailored to the chassis. Because we would have entirely distinct chassis and powertrains, that is why we opted to split it.
“To fulfill the deadline, the integration work of the electrified side on the powertrain, coupled with the chassis, it costs time to produce it in two cars,” said Oliver Hoffmann, head of Audi technical development. Therefore, it’s entirely different operations, and we will handle the integration work ourselves.
If Audi wants to be competitive starting in 2026, it will need to catch up to other manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari in terms of its understanding of the F1’s turbo hybrid rules.
The car business believes it will be able to catch up eventually because of the way new laws have been written to give more freedom to new competitors.
Hoffmann continued, “First of all, completing this task [by] 2026 is going to be a significant challenge.
“However, I believe that we are able to work out some compromises with the rules so that we may enter on [equal terms] with all of the other contestants. We enjoy the challenge, too.
“In less than a year, we were able to run the Dakar and construct the Dakar car, which also has a very sophisticated drivetrain. And by 2026, I believe we will be able to create this powertrain as well.
Well, it’s obvious that we are in the situation that we are in, Deusmann remarked. And the others already have functional powertrains. However, the size of the regulation modifications gave us the opportunity to intervene and compete.
a sports car
With the current 2020 992-series 911, which goes under the VW Group name of MMB for “Modular Mid-Engine Platform,” Porsche’s storied sports vehicles have been integrated into the corporate fold. The contemporary Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan mid-engine supercars share the distinctive MSS (Modular Sports System) chassis, despite the fact that it would make sense to base both on the same MMB platform. The MMB needs a separate modular system, though, because of the abundance of 992 and 718 versions that will be available in the near future.
The Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and a number of other vehicles all use the MLB Evo platform, which also underpins the current 9YA Cayenne.
All Porsches built on the MMB platform share the same fundamental front body construction. Nevertheless, Porsche’s updated manufacturing processes and factory layout enable different front modules to be equipped with longitudinal load beams of various wall thicknesses (thinner for the 718 and 992 coupes, thicker for Cabriolets and Turbos) as they go down the same production line.
Porsche used the complete aluminum body side panel as a separate pressing for the first time on the MSB platform of the 971 Panamera. The panel is then crimped and roll-hemmed onto the main unibody. On the new 718 MMB system (992/next-gen), this method is used. Due to this, the coupe, Cabriolet, Targa, and mid-engine side panels may be applied to the various variations as needed and all variants can be constructed on the same assembly line. Even the 992 coupe’s own modular roof panel subsystem is simply installed on the same manufacturing line, and it comes in plain aluminum, sheet-metal sliding sunroof, glass sliding sunroof, carbon fiber, and magnesium varieties.
The MMB platform for the 992 was initially designed with a future electric hybrid version in mind, with additional room given for a “E-Machine” inside the PDK gearbox case as well as additional space up front for a battery pack and larger cooling system. As of this writing, however, it is unclear what will happen to the 992 Hybrid project; Porsche may decide to change its electrification approach and move forward to a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) based on the 718 version of the MMB platform.
F1 Season
In the event that Porsche, another Volkswagen Group brand, also enters the world championship, Audi claims that its Formula 1 power unit program will be completely separate from Porsche’s.
Audi officially announced this morning that it will make its F1 debut as a power unit manufacturer in 2026. Instead of competing as a brand-new team, it plans to collaborate with an existing chassis builder.
Audi’s chairman Markus Duesmann stated that even though Porsche and Audi are owned by the same company, the Volkswagen Group, the two brands will not share resources if they both enter Formula One in 2026.
Duesmann claimed, “We raced Porsche in Le Mans with totally independent operations. “We will also have entirely distinct activities in this situation. If Porsche joins, they will operate in the UK, while we would operate entirely independently in Germany.”
Duesmann argued that the decision to enroll both brands into Formula One was made because Audi and Porsche each have unique fan bases and personalities. We opted to keep it totally independent and run two businesses because both of our brands have a large following and distinct personalities, he said.
According to Duesmann, logistical reasons also played a role in the division of the power unit programs at Audi and Porsche.
“We had a number of causes. We’ll have a variety of teams. The powertrain must be specifically created for the chassis, which is why we chose to divide it since we would have entirely separate chassis and, thus, entirely distinct powertrains “explained he.
Oliver Hoffman, who oversees technological development for Audi, stated that dividing the two programs was necessary to “meet the timeframe” of becoming ready for F1 participation.
Hoffmann stated that it takes time to create two automobiles because of the integration work of the electrified side on the powertrain and chassis. Therefore, it’s entirely different operations, and we’ll handle the integration work ourselves.
Are the engines in Porsche and Audi similar?
Registered. The 2018 Macan Turbo 3.6L was the final genuine “Porsche” engine. After 2018, every Porsche Macan engine will be an Audi engine with various tuning features.
Does Porsche use similar motors?
Among these synergies is the provision of Porsche components to sibling companies. Other brands may use the Panamera platform for conceptual or under development vehicles, according to Macht.
Macht responded that the 911 platform “might be made available to other VW brands” when asked if it was also on the table. But Porsche won’t employ any other VW Group engines save the V6 in the Cayenne. Macht stated that “engine development is a basic value for Porsche.”
Porsche is now focusing on weathering the global recession after its failed effort to acquire VW. The company aimed for annual sales of 150,000 cars prior to the credit crunch. However, sales this year are down 24% to little over 75,000. With its three core model families—the Cayenne, Panamera, and 911/Boxster—Porsche will make an effort to achieve its initial aim, but it is also considering additional range expansions.
“Any brand-new model would need to be upscale, athletic, and have a strong financial case. Porsche must be the most expensive, top-quality, and capable of providing the best driving experience in any segment “explained Macht.
The Panamera’s 1800kg kerb weight is low for its market segment, making it an ideal candidate for efficiency improvements. There will be a six-cylinder Panamera available next year, and eventually there will be a hybrid and a diesel Panamera as well.
Porsche has also considered building an electric vehicle. According to Macht, “it would have to have the same maneuverability, performance, acceleration, and range as a conventional Porsche.”
“The current state of technology is incompatible with Porsche’s needs. At least two years will pass before the technology is up to par.”
Do Porsche and Audi exchange parts?
Porsche acknowledged 33%. It is essentially a half-sister for the current Audi Q5; in fact, Porsche’s engineers are pleased to acknowledge that almost a third of the under-body components are shared between the two vehicles. only the Macan
What Audi is powered by a Porsche?
Let’s start with the one that is the most well-known. Of course, we’re referring to the Audi RS2, which, for God’s sake, even features brake calipers and wheels with the Porsche “Cup” logo.
Yes, a Porsche-codeveloped automobile served as the foundation for the entire Audi RS dynasty. Stuttgart also designed the suspension and modified the 2.2-liter inline-five engine, which resulted in an increase in output to 315 horsepower.
Using space made available by the termination of another joint venture, a large portion of the car was constructed in Porsche’s Rossle-Bau facility. which brings us to the following vehicle on our list.