Matra Sports V12 engine

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Matra Sports V12 engine
The V12 Matra MS12 the MS120
Overview
Manufacturer	Matra
Production	1968–1982
Powertrain
Engine	3000 cc V12

The Matra Sports V12 engine is an automotive internal combustion engine for sports car endurance racing and Formula One. It won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times.^[1]

Characteristics[]

The Matra Sports V12 is a four-stroke, water-cooled all-aluminum 60° overhead-valve V12 engine with a seven-main-bearing crankshaft. ^[2] It produced between 395–520 hp (295–388 kW; 400–527 PS), and 198–253 lb⋅ft (268–343 N⋅m) of torque.^[3]

History[]

V12 Matra - first version

This engine was designed by engineer Georges Martin, who designed the Simca "Poissy engine". Martin joined Matra at the end of 1966 due to Philippe Guédon (who later became CEO of Matra), his former colleague at Simca without knowing what was expected of him. Jean-Luc Lagardère announced that it is responsible to design an engine for Formula One which has to develop 150 horsepower per litre.^[4][5]

Partial Formula One World Championship results[]

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Entrants	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	Points	WCC
1968	Matra Sports	Matra MS11	Matra V12	D		RSA	ESP	MON	BEL	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA	CAN	USA	MEX		8	9th
					Jean-Pierre Beltoise			Ret	8	2	9	Ret	Ret	5	Ret	Ret	Ret
					Henri Pescarolo										Ret	DNS	9
1970	Equipe Matra Elf	Matra MS120	Matra V12	G		RSA	ESP	MON	BEL	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA	MEX	23	6th
					Jean-Pierre Beltoise	4	Ret	Ret	3	5	13	Ret	Ret	6	3	8	Ret	5
					Henri Pescarolo	7	Ret	3	6	8	5	Ret	6	14	Ret	7	8	9
1971	Equipe Matra Sports	Matra MS120B	Matra V12	G		RSA	ESP	MON	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA			9	7th
					Chris Amon	5	3	Ret	Ret	5	Ret	Ret		6	10	12
					Jean-Pierre Beltoise		6	Ret	9	7	7				Ret	8
1972	Equipe Matra Sports	Matra MS120C Matra MS120D	Matra V12	G		ARG	RSA	ESP	MON	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA		12	8th
					Chris Amon	Ret	15	Ret	6	6	3	4	15	5	Ret	6	15

Notes and references[]