MGN JH22 W12-MGN

    Guy Nègre is an automotive engineer with a long militancy, as an engineer, in Renault who in 1978 set up on his own to found his atelier specializing in the preparation of racing engines called MGN, acronym for Moteur Guy Nègre. Taking advantage of the return to the aspirated, less complex and expensive than the turbo, Nègre plans an ambitious landing in Formula 1 first as an engine supplier and then, subsequently, as a manufacturer. His idea is truly original and very different from the solution undertaken by the major manufacturers of the moment. In fact, Nègre designs a 12-cylinder engine with a 60° W configuration, an architecture that includes 12 cylinders arranged on three asymmetrical banks, each made up of 4 cylinders, a concept that has not been seen on the track since the 1930s.

the W12-MGN engine

   the asymmetry of the three banks is necessary to find the space for the intake trumpets of the right and central banks which are next to each other, as well as in order to reduce overall dimensions and better manage temperatures. In this way, in fact, the discharge of the outermost banks is positioned outside the W, that of the central bank is necessarily located inside the W, on the opposite side with respect to the intake trumpets. The real peculiarity of the W12 MGN, however, is in the “floating” distribution, ie with rotary valves. In this case, the French technicians opt for a system consisting of two discs that rotate in the upper part of the head. In these discs, which move parallel, the exhaust ports are obtained, duly timed to each other. This configuration gives a very compact appearance, at least in height, to the French engine, lacking classic heads with poppet valves. On paper, this particular W configuration should ensure considerable power, estimated at around 630hp at 11,500 rpm, but in a small and compact space and with an overall weight of around 120kg, around 30 less than the classic Ford-Cosworth DFZ.

MGN JH22

   The engine is extensively tested and modified on the bench and, when deemed ready, Nègre looks for a chassis to attempt a track test. He asks his friend Henri Julien for help and he makes available the chassis 033 of the AGS JH22 which has participated in the 1987 World Championship on two occasions. The car, renamed MGN JH22, is modified to accommodate the W12 MGN, the rear body remodeled and the engine, still under development, totally uncovered and without a special bodywork. In September 1989, testing began on the Circuit du Grand Sambuc, a small track located in the South of France. The engine proves to be sufficiently reliable but the performances are much lower than expected and the estimated 630hp remains a distant mirage.

MGN JH22, Philippe Billot

test on Grand Sambuc circuit

   The very few chronicles report the name of a local driver, Philippe Billot, as test-driver, but there is no certain information on the outcome of those tests, nor time and kilometer measurements available. What is known is that the power of the engine turns out to be much lower than expected, so much so that Negre is forced to deeply revise his project but, in the meantime, he loses any possibility of an outlet in Formula One. Despite the unsuccessful attempt in 1990 to equip the Norma M6, a French Sport-Prototype car, to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the few laps made on the small circuit near Marseille remain the only ones in the history of the W12 engine MGN.