INLET PLENUM
Hollowed out from the inside, the inlet plenum has a fairly low profile design.
When removed (see the image above), one can notice that the intake manifolds make a 90° bend and belong to a complex airflow-guiding system positioned ahead of the intake trumpets – which are probably variable.
These 90° curves spawn from Honda engineers’ willingness to reduce as much as possible the volume of the inlet plenum. Like most of the engine, it is made out of aluminium, though a carbon-made version has also been used several times (see comparison below).
It’s worth noticing that, before entering the intake manifolds, the compressed airflow travels through an air-to-air intercooler placed inside the MP4-30’s right sidepod. Renault has a similar component, whereas Mercedes and Ferrari use an air-to-water intercooler. The only difference is that the device is lodged within the monocoque on the Silver Arrows when it sits within the vee of the ICE on the Italian power unit. Both installations share the same goal however, namely to free up sidepod space and curb internal airflow resistance.
