Cosworth has revealed to FeedMeSportsCars that their heavily touted 'XH' engine has been laid to rest - for now.
Ian Bisco, Vice President of Cosworth has revealed that the self-invested ALMS engine program has been discontinued for the moment.
Cosworth originally started the program three years ago and believed their engine would have been a match for any engine on the grid.
"At the time we believed our engine was a good competitor with power & torque to rival or better the competition but 3 years on with more competition and development who knows now," Bisco said to FeedMeSportsCars.
Cosworth are now unwilling to spend more money and are pursuing more secure lines of business.
It wasn't always like that and Cosworth even had a team signed to use the 'XH' engine.
"[W]e had several so say interested parties at the time but in reality I think they were just all waiting for Honda & Porsche hand outs and perhaps using us as leverage...one guy even signed a contract then disappeared," said Bisco.
Despite this setback, Cosworth could enter ACO style racing in the future but it would have to be the right opportunity - either a sponsor/badging partner or at the very least, a guaranteed team.
So while the 'XH' engine may never see the race weekend, we may just see the return of Cosworth to ACO racing one day.
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The 'XH' engine was a 3.6 litre engine that was destined to be a competitor in LMP1. It was Cosworth's first petrol direct injection engine and had completed 24 hour tests
Pictures and logo courtesy of Cosworth
FeedmeSportsCars would like to thank Cosworth for assistance with this story. For more visit www.cosworth.com
Sam Tickell