Century Racing would be the seventh producer to enter the T1+ subcategory of rally raid with their in-progress CR7. A prototype chassis has been constructed and the staff hopes to start testing the automobile in July.
The CR7 is a departure from Century’s fashions as a four-wheel-drive machine, which was beforehand experimented in 2008 with the CR1 and 2012’s X6. The entire staff’s different autos together with their present automobile CR6 are 2WD.
The CR6 and its successor share varied similarities such because the double wishbone rear suspension and the identical dimensions save for the roof, the latter of which is larger for the CR7.
In any other case, the CR7 will clearly be a extra advanced and totally different beast. Any remaining traits that the 2 share draw extra from the upgraded CR6-T, which raced the 2023 Dakar Rally with manufacturing facility drivers Brian Baragwanath and Mathieu Serradori. Most notably, the CR6-T and CR7 use a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 DECA engine that generates 434 horsepower and comes from the Audi RS4, whereas the usual CR6 sports activities a 370-hp Chevrolet Corvette LS7.
“Cooling and engine response are key with turbo engines, and this 12 months our focus is on the anti-lag system as we had been quick on time previous to Dakar to totally develop it,” head of engine administration Donovan Fick said. “The intention is to have the engine absolutely sorted within the subsequent few weeks, to have the ability to hit the bottom working with the CR7.
“The straightforward factor to do is match a daily usually aspirated engine into the T1+, nonetheless the FIA guidelines favour newer applied sciences and we’re in a position to get extra energy working a turbo engine. Therefore we began growing the brand new engine final 12 months already and at Dakar 2023 within the CR6-T.”
The CR7 additionally has much less wheel journey at 350 mm versus the CR6’s 440 mm. Whereas the rear suspension of each vehicles are alike, the entrance for the CR7 includes a particular format as Century needed to create a low centre of gravity to maintain the automobile steady.
“The CR6 is a troublesome act to comply with by way of seems however it’s this type of challenges that I relish,” stated automobile designer Eben Meyburgh, who beforehand labored on the CR6. “We’ve got used the CR6 as a reference however adapting to the brand new proportions has required a number of sketches and mock-ups. The transient was {that a} Century buyer needed to immediately establish this automobile as an in depth relative to the CR6, however on the identical time we needed to give it its personal id. Time will inform if we now have succeeded.”
The CR7 is a part of a rising pool of T1+ entries at the moment occupied by the Toyota Hilux T1+, Prodrive Hunter, and BAIC BJ40. Whereas the trio are established names within the subcategory, varied producers moreover Century have additionally began to develop their very own autos for the category.
The Hilux is available in two T1+ fashions: the SVR Hallspeed DKR Hilux T1+ that has received the final two Dakar Rallies and 2022 World Rally-Raid Championship, and the brand new WCT Engineering Hilux for privateers and received its début race in March. Pink-Lined Motorsport‘s new REVO T1+ completed second behind the WCT Hilux in stated occasion and at the moment competes within the South African Rally Raid Championship. M-Sport and Neil Woolridge Motorsport are testing the Ford Ranger T1+ with plans of racing it in 2024.
“Most, if not the entire present vehicles, are variations of the outdated T1 class and due to this fact many compromises are essential to package deal the larger tyres, additional width and further cooling needed for the turbo engine,” commented Century’s chief designer Julien Hardy. “We’ve got the benefit of getting checked out that course of from a distance (and find out about its adverse results) but additionally have the prospect of a no-compromise method with the clear sheet design. The additional cooling necessities of the turbo engine can also be non-negligible.”
Century fielded ten vehicles on the Dakar Rally, two of which raced underneath the Astara Idea 01 identify underneath possession of Astara Staff.
