From Design to Material: Engineering Applied to Performance
The project for Manuel Dondi’s Fiat X1/9 continues, with Tubi Style providing one of its top engineers together with state-of-the-art technologies, complementing our know-how built through decades of success in motorsport.
The complete exhaust system, from the exhaust headers to the rear silencer, has been engineered entirely with race performance in mind. The primary objectives are to achieve the greatest possible weight reduction while targeting a benchmark output of 150 hp per litre.
To ensure maximum performance across every circuit of the championship, Tubi Style developed a unique header design together with two distinct, easily interchangeable configurations. More specifically, a 4-2-1 layout was designed to deliver a broader, more usable torque curve in the mid-range, making it ideal for technical circuits featuring numerous corners and frequent acceleration zones. The alternative 4-1 configuration focuses on maximizing power at high engine speeds, making it the perfect solution for faster, more flowing tracks.
From a technical standpoint, the 600 mm primary headers are manufactured from 0.8 mm Inconel, a material selected for its ability to withstand extreme temperatures while keeping weight to an absolute minimum. The secondary pipes, meanwhile, are made from 1 mm Grade 5 titanium, combining exceptional lightness with outstanding structural strength.
At the heart of the car lies a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Alfa Romeo-derived inline four-cylinder engine, a platform with a long-standing heritage in both Italian and British touring car racing. Tubi Style had previously collaborated with N.Technology (formerly Nordauto Squadra Corse), one of the leading names in touring car motorsport throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
For this reason, development has been approached with the utmost engineering discipline, combining **CAD design, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis, and simulations based on official technical data**, all of which will be validated through on-track testing.
A key element of this collaboration is Manuel Dondi’s vision. His development strategy has focused decisively on reducing the vehicle’s overall weight while taking full advantage of the current regulations. This is a deliberate choice, considering that the naturally aspirated engine is already operating very close to its technical limits, thanks to extensively lightweight components whose service life is comparable to that of a Formula racing engine.
The complete exhaust system will soon be tested in both configurations, allowing us to evaluate its real-world performance. At Tubi Style, we fully understand the difference between simulation and reality on the racetrack. This is why the continuous dialogue between the workshop, the circuit, and the engineering department remains a defining aspect of our special projects, where every detail matters and nothing is left to chance.
