Sauber took the wraps off its C31, the car that Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez will field in the 2012 season of Formula 1. The C31, no surprises, also features a stepped nose and has a unique pull-rod rear suspension.
Team principal, Peter Sauber said that the team is hoping to finish in the points on a regular basis.
Meanwhile chief designer Matt Morris had this to say 'The C31 is revolutionary where we had fresh ideas, particularly at the rear of the car, and it is an evolution where we knew we could carry over certain approaches. We had to improve on the weaknesses we identified on the C30, but at the same time we wanted to maintain its strengths. We expect quite different tyre characteristics in 2012. Pirelli is in its second year, so is now beginning to refine its compounds and the tyre’s profile. The compounds generally tend to be heading to slightly softer solutions, slightly more biased to a stronger front tyre than last year. This, of course, changes the way you balance the car.
SPECIFICATIONS
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Sauber C31-Ferrari
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Chassis
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carbon-fibre monocoque
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Front suspension
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upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers (Sachs Race Engineering) actuated by pushrods
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Rear suspension
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upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers (Sachs Race Engineering) actuated by pullrods
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Brakes
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six-piston brake callipers (Brembo), carbon-fibre pads and discs (Brembo)
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Transmission
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Ferrari 7-speed quick-shift carbon gearbox, longitudinally mounted, carbon-fibre clutch
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Chassis electronics
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MES
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KERS
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Ferrari
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Steering wheel
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Sauber F1 Team
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Tyres
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Pirelli
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Wheels
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OZ
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Dimensions
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Length 5.195 mm
width 1.800 mm
height 1.000 mm
track width, front 1.495 mm
track width, rear 1.410 mm
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Weight
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640 kg (incl. driver, tank empty)
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Ferrari 056 Motor
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Type
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naturally aspirated V8, 90° cylinder angle
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Engine block
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sand-cast aluminium
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Valves / valve train
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32 / pneumatic
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Displacement
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2,398 ccm
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Bore
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98 mm
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Weight
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> 95 kg
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Electronic injection and ignition
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