FIA unveils 'world engine' plan

A proposal for a ‘world engine’ to be used across a range of categories has been put forward by the FIA.

Motor sport’s governing body has distributed a working document to manufacturers, promoting the idea of a base powerplant that could be used in everything from Formula 3 and touring cars, though to sports cars and F1. The engine would be based on a straight four that would be normally-aspirated in the lower formulas and turbocharged where more power is needed.

The idea has its roots in the round-table discussions set up to establish a new engine formula for the IRL IndyCar Series. At the same time, the FIA says it recognised a growing unsuitability of production engines traditionally used in F3 and touring cars for motor sport.