Powerpoint

IN ADAM TOWLER’S REVIEW OF THE FERRARI 812 GTS (evo 280) he was incredulous that the 6.5-litre motor could have the same ‘feral’ top-end rush that a Honda K20 can achieve.

I would have thought the physics are very similar in both remarkable engines. The Honda 2.2-litre H22A1 engine from the early ’90s Prelude was redlined at 8600rpm and with a cylinder capacity of 539.25cc is directly comparable with the Ferrari’s 541cc. I would consider that the main restrictions on rpm would be reciprocating mass, and with almost 30 years’ more development the pistons, conrods and valve gear in the Ferrari should be at least as capable of achieving the same loads as those of the Honda.

Interestingly, it is my understanding that cylinders of around 500cc tend to offer the best brake mean effective pressure and this ensures good potential horsepower, torque and – dare I say it? – economy. This would be born out by the widespread use of 2-litre four-cylinder engines and why everyone from Mercedes to McLaren has a 4-litre V8 in their line-up. It is also, I would imagine, why BMW’s modular