Summary
When it comes to performance cars, defining the “best” is always subjective. However, few companies have earned a reputation as strong as Cosworth when it comes to developing world-class engines for high-performance vehicles.
Working alongside manufacturers such as Gordon Murray Automotive, Aston Martin, and Red Bull, the British engineering firm has transformed decades of motorsport expertise into some of the most advanced road-going engines ever built. Although Cosworth is no longer competing at Formula 1’s highest level, its influence on modern performance engineering remains stronger than ever.
During this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, CarBuzz spoke with Chris Willoughby, Cosworth’s Commercial Director, who believes the company is experiencing a new golden era—one that rivals its legendary Formula 1 success.
Cosworth’s New Golden Era Is Fueled by Engineering Innovation
While many enthusiasts remember Cosworth for the iconic DFV Formula 1 engine and its long-standing partnership with Ford, today’s company focuses on developing cutting-edge powertrains for some of the world’s most exclusive automobiles.
Its recent projects include:
- The Red Bull RB17 with a naturally aspirated V10 capable of revving to 15,000 rpm
- The Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 featuring a V12 with a remarkable 12,100-rpm redline
- The all-new Bugatti Tourbillon, powered by an ambitious V16 engine developed with Cosworth’s engineering expertise
These projects have once again placed the Cosworth name at the center of automotive innovation.
When asked whether the company is enjoying another golden era comparable to its Formula 1 dominance, Willoughby—who has witnessed both the company’s greatest successes and its quieter periods—believes the excitement inside the business is stronger than ever.
“With cars like the Aston Martin One-77 and the Valkyrie at Goodwood and beyond, the place has definitely got a real buzz back to it.”
— Chris Willoughby, Cosworth Commercial Director
Today’s Success Rivals Cosworth’s Formula 1 Legacy
Willoughby joined Cosworth in 1990, giving him firsthand experience during both its Formula 1 championship years and its more challenging periods.
Reflecting on the company’s history, he says today’s atmosphere closely mirrors the excitement of its racing dominance.
During its Formula 1 era, Cosworth celebrated victories with legendary drivers such as Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, creating an environment driven by constant innovation and success.
According to Willoughby, that same energy has returned.
He acknowledged that the 2000s were comparatively quieter, as the company shifted much of its attention toward engineering consultancy. However, with today’s portfolio of groundbreaking hypercar projects, Cosworth has once again become a hub of ambitious engine development.
Groundbreaking Projects Are Driving the Company’s Momentum
Developing some of the world’s most advanced combustion engines requires years of planning and collaboration.
One of Cosworth’s most exciting recent unveilings at the Goodwood Festival of Speed was the Red Bull RB17, created in partnership with the Formula 1 team and legendary designer Adrian Newey.
At the heart of the RB17 sits a naturally aspirated Cosworth V10, engineered to deliver both extraordinary performance and an unmistakable soundtrack.
Willoughby explained that hearing the engine outside the test facility for the first time was an unforgettable experience.
“On the dyno you’ve got three layers of glass and a science exhaust, so hearing it properly for the first time was incredible. It immediately brings back memories of Formula 1 in the 1990s.”
He also emphasized the emotional significance of building a modern V10, describing it as a project that inspired enthusiasm throughout the company.
Creating engines like these doesn’t happen overnight.
Willoughby revealed that the team spent approximately a year refining the engine concept before formal design work even began.
That meticulous development process has produced some remarkable achievements.
The GMA T.50’s V12 ranks among the fastest-revving production engines ever built, while the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s V12 weighs just 451 pounds, highlighting Cosworth’s relentless focus on lightweight engineering and performance.
Beyond serving exclusive hypercars, these technological breakthroughs may eventually influence engine development across the wider automotive industry.
What’s Next for Cosworth?
With a growing list of headline projects, the obvious question becomes: where does Cosworth go from here?
The company has already developed ultra-high-revving V10, V12, and V16 engines while continuing to explore technologies such as:
- Hydrogen combustion
- Hybrid powertrains
- Synthetic fuel compatibility
Despite these advancements, Cosworth remains firmly committed to piston engines.
When asked which engine configuration he would most like to tackle next, Willoughby paused before acknowledging that few realistic options remain beyond the V16.
He briefly mentioned H-configuration engines—essentially two flat engines stacked together—as an interesting possibility, although he admitted they are largely impractical for modern applications.
More unconventional alternatives, such as rotary engines, appear unlikely.
According to Willoughby, Cosworth’s expertise, manufacturing equipment, and decades of engineering experience are all centered around piston-engine technology.
As he explained, piston engines continue to be one of the most effective methods of converting liquid fuel into usable power.
Why Cosworth Still Matters to the Automotive Industry
For most drivers, companies like Cosworth operate behind the scenes.
For automotive enthusiasts and engineers, however, these specialist manufacturers often shape the future of mainstream engine technology.
Throughout its history, Cosworth has introduced innovations that eventually became common across the industry.
Among its notable achievements are some of the earliest mass-produced four-valve cylinder head designs, while the legendary DFV Formula 1 engine pioneered the concept of using the engine as a structural chassis component—an engineering principle later adopted by performance cars such as the Porsche Carrera GT.
Willoughby also pointed to another breakthrough currently making its road-car debut.
The Red Bull RB17 is expected to become the first production vehicle equipped with air valve spring technology, a system previously reserved for Formula 1.
Unlike racing applications, however, these technologies must also be engineered for everyday ownership rather than operation by a dedicated team of race engineers.
Final Thoughts
Cosworth’s resurgence represents far more than the success of a single engineering company.
At a time when tightening regulations and electrification have raised questions about the future of internal combustion engines, Cosworth continues to demonstrate that innovation within traditional engine design is far from over.
Through advanced combustion technology, lightweight engineering, alternative fuels, and record-breaking naturally aspirated engines, the company is proving that piston-powered performance still has room to evolve.
Rather than following conventional industry trends, Cosworth continues to push technical boundaries—offering enthusiasts hope that the most exciting chapters in the history of the internal combustion engine may still lie ahead.