Does anyone know of any updated variant of the Motoren und Turbinen Union MB 838, with a higher horsepower than the 830hp that powered the Leopard 1?
AFAIK, the last update was the 'modernized' MTU MB 838 Ka-501. This engine put out 1,400-1,500 hp - compared with 830 hp for
Leo 1's MB 838 CaM 500. MTU Friedrichshafen (now part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, ex-Tognum) does build another 90-degree V10 - the Common Rail 10V2000 (M94) - but, at 22.3 litres displacement, it is much smaller.
MB 838 : Bore/stroke 165 mm/175 mm
10V2000: Bore/stroke 135 mm/156 mm
But MTU seems to regard the V10 layout as obsolete for tank applications - V12s being inherently better balanced. I note that the Indian Army also toys with replacing its
Arjun MBT's dated MB 838 Ka-501s with a modern V12. In the Indian case, the V12 preference is for a more closely comparable Cummins QSK38 - 38 litres (159 mm/159 mm bore/stroke) producing 920-1,260 hp (1,600 bhp @ 1900 rpm).
I don't know the external dimensions for these engines. The
Arjun is a big vehicle which may give the Indians more options than operators of
Leopard 1 variants. If you are looking at modern applications and/or
Leo 1 upgrades, probably better to ditch the old MB 838 and ZF 4HP250 in favour of a modern V12 and Renk transmission.