The Porsche 3512 was a racing engine designed by Porsche for use in Formula One racing during the 3.5-liter normally aspirated era of Grand Prix racing. The engine was a V12 configuration, with an 80-degree vee angle, and displacement was just under 3.5 liters (hence the designation 3512). The engine was also unusual for having a power take-off from the center of the engine.[1] The engine was used by the Footwork team at the start of the 1991 Formula One season. The engine was Porsche's first complete design for Grand Prix racing since 1987.
The Porsche 3512 was intended for the new Footwork FA12, but the size and bulk of the engine meant the car had to be re-designed to install it properly,[2] so the 1990-based car called the A11C was used for the first three race meetings.[3] Both Michele Alboreto and Alex Caffi failed to qualify for the United States GP, but Alboreto managed to qualify the car at Interlagos until retiring from the race. Alboreto also qualified for the San Marino GP, but failed to qualify for the Monaco, Canadian, and Mexican Grands Prix. Alex Caffi failed to qualify for the next three events, and was replaced for the North American rounds after sustaining injuries from a road accident.[4] Stefan Johansson took his place at Canada, qualifying for the race but retiring with an engine failure. Stefan failed to qualify for the Mexican GP, which would ultimately be the last appearance of the Porsche 3512 engine at a World Championship event.
One possible reason the Porsche engine was uncompetitive was the weight of engine; when items like the clutch, flywheel, and other ancillaries were installed, it weighed 418 pounds, compared to the Ferrari V12 (308 lb.) and the Honda V12 (352 lb.) racing at the same time.[1] The novel method of drawing power from the center of the engine led to oil pressure problems.[1] By the time the Footwork team appeared at the French Grand Prix, the team switched back to the Ford-Cosworth DFR 3.5 V8 engines for the rest of the year, in a modified version of the car designated the FA12C.[5] Porsche pulled out of Formula One again a few months after the French Grand Prix. The announcement was made around the time of the 1991 Japanese Grand Prix.[6][7]
A replacement for the 3512 was in development at the time of Porsche's withdrawal from Formula One. This V10 engine would not be completed until several years later, when it was modified for use in the stillborn Porsche LMP project in 2000. The engine eventually became mass-produced when a further variant was chosen as the powerplant of the Porsche Carrera GT supercar.
