Mottin Racing is a Brazilian race team that competes in endurance racing. They race several cars including this special Lamborghini Gallardo LP520 that competes in the GT1 class. Instead of the 5.2 L V10 screaming in the back there is now a turbocharged Volkswagen 20v inline-four. I tried to find out more about the engine including contacting the team but neither turned up more information. While doing research on the project I found someone claiming the engine was made from an AP block with a 20v head. As to why there is a inline-four in the Gallaro? My theory is they used the Lamborghini V10 to power a new prototype race car they built. If anyone knows more information please contact us or leave a comment.
Source: Mottin Racing and Endurance Brasil via ESD reader Alceu
Brazilian guy here. The v10 was too costly (here) to maintain, while the AP is very common prepared engine. You can almost get new forged pistons as bread change (internal joke). And, they can get pretty much the same power output and about the same weight (iron block and turbo pipes).
Thank you for sharing. When we say the “AP” engine are we talking about the engine made from 1973–1975 in the Volkswagen Type 2?
YES, is this block. In fact, VW Brazil has used this engine on almost every car it sold here. Now, ins 2017 I think we have 2 models with this block in production yet.
Thank you for explaining.
In Brazil, until 2008 this engine block was used in Savero and Parati ( vw cars 1.6L ). It is here since 1973 in the Passat.
Thank you.
AP is an acronym for “Alta Performance” (High Performance), but officially the engine is called EA827.
Thank you.
No, in fact it is a derivation of the Volkswagen engine EA827.
No, it’s based on the EA827.
Usually the EA827 code, 1.6 stroked to 1.9 with turbo, or the 2.0 forged and with turbo
Yes, this is exactly what happened, the engine is being used on their MCR Grand Am Prototype.
http://rodrigomattar.grandepremio.uol.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160617_104921.jpg
http://www.tomadadetempo.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/1482070461985175.jpg
This engine is an evolution from the old Audi 827, latter adapted to VW MD and made Brazilian when it received the AP name.
This engine family had many small iterations through decades starting on 1973 with VW Passat and living until 2009 with VW Gol and its pickup and station wagon variants.
This particular unit on the lambo has an engine head from a newer VW/Audi 20-valve engine (probably Golf sourced).
I hope this helps.
Yes it does. Thank you for sharing. I am also happy that my theory proved correct 🙂
Another brasilian guy here. In case you got interested with ours AP, recommend you search for VW Gol DTA or VW Gol FLD. DTA and FLD are famous categories on brasilian drag races, with most powerful variations of the AP, with 8, 16 and 20v
I will search for those projects. Thanks.
Hey, buddy! in fact the brazilian 1/4 mile record for FWD cars, on FLD category (something like “Free Power Front”) is 7.948s, which is incredible.
http://www.autodynamics.com.br/recordes-listar.php?pista=1
This Gallardo received the 20v EA827 turbo temporarily. After some tests the V10 engine again picked up and unfortunately it crashed at the end of the year 2016.
As far as I know, it’s being recovered.
The Lamborghini engine used in the prototype came from another crashed Gallardo.
Thanks for the correction.
Did they race the AP, or was it used only for chassis development?
Good question. I assumed it was raced but I don’t know for sure.
A bit of a tangent, but there is a Audi R8 with a 2.0 TFSI running in the German Bergcup (hillclimb) by driver Keith Murray. In that case mostly due to reglement, as with its 5.2 or 4.2 litre engine is would have to run against the open class monsters
I will research that car. Thanks for sharing.
Soon publication with all the features about this car in http://www.blogdopassatao.com
Here it is! A video showing the car with an interview with Luciano Mottin, the “father” of this project!
http://www.blogdopassatao.com/2020/06/lamborghini-com-motor-ap-um-projeto.html
Thanks Niltão. Is there any chance you could add English subtitles?