It may not be the largest diesel engine we’ve ever covered but this vintage, 30-ton diesel engine is no less impressive. It used to power the whole of the Auteuil Racecourse in Paris.
The engine is a Type 9 V.O.S. built in 1962 by the Duvant company. Only three were ever produced, each measuring 11-feet tall by 18-feet long and consumes approximately 92.5 gallons of diesel every hour to generate its 1600HP. This engine spent its productive years in the race track’s basement attached to a massive flywheel. If the power ever failed, this could cut in and supply the stadium’s electrical needs for as long as necessary.
However, after years of service, the Type 9 was eventually retired in 1990. It lay dormant for a decade until Association des Amoureux des Vieux Moteurs (Vintage Engines Appreciation Society) obtained the engine and spent another decade moving and overhauling it.
If you happen to be reading this in France, good news! It’s currently on display — and running — at the Rétromobile 2012 show in Paris, which runs until Sunday, February 5th. [Gizmag]
Horsebane
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:35 AMWhats the torque on this thing? Because it seems pretty inefficiant to use an engine this big and thirsty when you can wring 1600hp out of a lot of regular sized car engines. Is there any particular reason that this was necessary?
Andrew
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:56 AMSeems like it isn’t a perminant thing, its just an exhibition piece. I agree, some locomotive diesels put out 6000+ horsepower, but they also aren’t 50 years old!
MD
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 4:42 PMOk Horsebane, check out the energy potential of Diesel fuel, then see how efficient the “regular sized engine” is when putting out 1600 HP, then see what the Life of the engine is….. Possibly you will find that this big beast is more efficient, and more economical (total lifecycle cost), and as it is a stationary engine the fuel needed to transport it around isn’t a factor (compared to Locomotives where size and weight are important factors..)
Sure there are engine out there which produce 90000HP and they are a hell of a lot larger than this one…. (but not 50 times)
The big slow reving torquey diesels are remarkably more efficient than your Supercharged Chevy V8 (just a bit harder to fit under the hood/bonnet).
Horsebane
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 8:26 PMso its a longevity thing then. makes perfect sense. cheers