MODERN ENGINES

Motori Moderni was a Formula One engine manufacturer from 1985 through 1987. It was established by the experienced Italian engine designer Carlo Chiti.
Chiti, a former Alfa Romeo Formula One chief engineer, formed Motori Moderni to make turbocharged V6 engines for Minardi, known as the Tipo 615-90. The engines were used by Minardi in Formula One from 1985 to 1987 and by AGS in 1986.
Their debut was at the 1985 San Marino Grand Prix where Pierluigi Martini impressed the F1 community using the new engine to put the grossly overweight (over 600 kg compared to other turbo cars at around 550 kg) M185 19th on the grid. From all reports of that first race meeting, the only problem with the Motori Moderni was a broken fuel pump belt in practice.
In late 1988 Chiti was commissioned by Subaru to design a new 12-cylinder boxer engine, known as the 1235 for the new 3.5-litre normally aspirated F1 regulations. This was tested by Minardi. The Japanese car company then bought the Coloni team. The program was a complete disaster. In June 1990 Subaru withdrew and sold the team back to Enzo Coloni.

After abandoning Formula One, the engines found use in the Alba Racing Team's AR20 entry in the 1990 World Sportscar Championship, but were once again unsuccessful. The engine later saw use in offshore powerboat racing.