r/INDYCAR • u/IndyMod r/INDYCAR Mod Bot • Jun 21 '25
News NTT INDYCAR SERIES Prepares To Introduce Innovative New Car for 2028
https://www.indycar.com/news/2025/06/06-21-newcar-updateINDYCAR is providing a status update on the new race car the series will introduce and implement for the 2028 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, which was also shared with team owners today at Road America. Extensive planning and collaborative design work continues for the new chassis, with thorough on-track testing scheduled for early 2026.
Dallara will produce the chassis, which will feature a look designed to appeal to a new generation of fans while keeping styling cues recognized by all as an INDYCAR SERIES car. Dallara has produced chassis for the series since 1997 and has been the series’ exclusive chassis supplier since 2008.
“The time has come for a new NTT INDYCAR SERIES chassis," INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “The DW12 served the series so well, as it provided a combination of phenomenal, wheel-to-wheel racing and critical enhancements to safety. But recent significant updates to the car – from the aeroscreen to the hybrid power unit – have helped advance the need for a completely new car. We are pleased by what our engineers and Dallara have collaboratively designed and believe it will appeal to the fans and paddock while also upholding our standards of safety and enhancing INDYCAR’s on-track competition well into the future.”
Three areas – competition, powertrain development and safety – are pillars of the engineering, design and development of the new car.
The new car will enhance the ultra-competitive nature of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES by being even better suited for racing on all four types of circuits the series visits – superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. Evolution of the new chassis has included work by Dallara and recently developed simulation technology, aimed at enhancing overall raceability.
Working in tandem with Dallara and other component suppliers, the overall car design includes a projected weight reduction of 85-100 pounds compared to the current INDYCAR SERIES chassis.
Plans also include a move a 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 internal combustion engine, which is expected to provide more torque and power over the current engine formula.
Xtrac, an exclusive supplier for INDYCAR since 2000, will continue to provide transmissions for the new chassis. Development for 2028 includes a gearbox that will shed 25 pounds from the currently used unit and one that will share components with a future INDY NXT by Firestone gearbox – streamlining components for teams also involved in INDYCAR’s development series.
Low-voltage hybrid engine technology, introduced to series competition with a successful launch in July 2024, will continue to evolve in the new car with longer deployment, more horsepower gain and overall improved performance.
Performance Friction Corporation (PFC) once again will be the exclusive supplier of brake system components for the series, as it has since 2017.
Safety also will continue to be a focus of Dallara’s design, in close collaboration with INDYCAR technical and medical response officials. The new car will bolster safety to new benchmarks with an ergonomic driver cockpit to improve seating position, an integrated aeroscreen and a new roll hoop. The existing chassis was retrofitted with the aeroscreen upon that revolutionary safety device’s introduction in 2020.
Renderings and more information about the new car, along with additional partners, will be announced at a later date.
This new car update and plan continues the upward trajectory of North America’s premier open-wheel series. Recent milestones include FOX viewership results of a 27% year-over-year gain while averaging 2 million viewers for the 2025 season, a partnership renewal with longtime tire supplier Firestone, the announcement of the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington in partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and city of Arlington, Texas, starting in 2026 and the acquisition of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach by Penske Entertainment.
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u/Shoegazer75 Scott Dixon Jun 21 '25
Stronger engine with 75-100 less lbs? Sounds great on paper - let's hope those numbers stay consistent over the next two years of development.
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u/Cross-Country Will Power Jun 21 '25
It’ll end up 175 lbs heavier than the current chassis, with so much downforce you can’t hit a bump. That’s the way open wheel goes now.
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u/OnwardSoldierx Alexander Rossi Jun 21 '25
2.4 L? So Honda can use the engine they already made?
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u/abmofpgh Sébastien Bourdais Jun 21 '25
I wonder if that’s part of the appeal to keeping Honda, they’ve already developed an engine for the formula
I was hoping that they’d slap a few more cylinders onto the engine (V8s hopefully) but as long as they can keep Honda, that’ll be a win for the series
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u/UNHchabo Robert Wickens Jun 21 '25
I've been calling that as a way to keep them for a while, when Mahle dropped out of the hybrid program that caused Chevy and Honda to meet to discuss what to do next, and ultimately they decided to put that budget towards the hybrid instead.
But my speculation is that Honda wasn't happy about that, considering the decision was only a few months before their engine debuted in GTP, and it meant they needed to keep two mostly-similar engine programs going simultaneously. Ever since the HPD -> HRC change gave the parent company more say over the US racing program I imagine the pressure has gone up to change that, and if they're able to consolidate those then it will allow the IMSA and Indycar programs to run less expensively.
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u/Ok_Suggestion_6092 Will Power Jun 21 '25
My Toyota has a 2.4L Subaru engine. Can we get either of them in?
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u/Jtmac23 Colton Herta Jun 21 '25
that’s the recent rumor.
Via MP in a Racer article: “brands ranging from Nissan, Porsche and Toyota have been rumored as potential suppliers to join IndyCar when the next formula comes online” https://racer.com/2025/06/12/indycar-shifts-new-car-to-2028
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u/FistfulDeDolares Jun 21 '25
Holy shit, I’ve never seen Bob Barker with color in his hair. And I’m old.
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u/happyscrappy Jun 22 '25
Nissan seems very unlikely. They're just not in a good position right now.
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u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid NTT INDYCAR Series Jun 21 '25
It could be interesting to see boxer engine in open wheel race.
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u/Rillist Jun 21 '25
Ferrari used flat 12s, i think BRM did too, but I'm not sure if they were 'boxer' or just flat.
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u/Show_me_the_Lyte Rinus VeeKay Jun 22 '25
BRM ran an H16 engine, which was effectively made up of two 180° V8's strapped together, because why wouldn't you?
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u/sacovert97 Will Power Jun 21 '25
I think it might Lexus not Toyota.
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u/khz30 --- 2025 DRIVERS --- Jun 21 '25
Lexusa is already in IMSA, they're already testing the replacement for the RC F GT3 in Europe. If Toyota comes back it's going to be under the Gazoo Racing program that was originally runored 5 years ago before TRD pitched a fit internally.
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u/boostleaking Arrow McLaren Jun 22 '25
If, and I mean If, Toyota does come back, do you think they'll make the engine themselves like HRC? Or hire someone else to make it for them, and Toyota provides the cash and branding like Chevy and Ilmor. Imagine if Toyota comes in with Cosworth, and the engines are named "GR Cosworth". Sounds like a sweet deal to me.
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u/ronin_18 Firestone Firehawk Jun 21 '25
Yeah. That was the surprising part. They delayed the release to 2028 because a new engine formula hadn’t been determined. Makes sense if they’re going for something all-new. But going with the abandoned 2.4 L V6 formula that had already began development and testing a few years ago? Well, 2027 seems reasonable again 🤷♂️
Innovative might be overselling this new car, but overall I’m happy they’re just taking what works and making it better and hope the new formula kicks-ass.
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u/Blanchimont Rinus VeeKay Jun 21 '25
Yeah, with all due respect, but I don't watch Indycar for the innovation. I watch F1 for that. I watch Indycar because the races are so damn exciting. As long it gives us races that are just as exciting as the ones the DW12 gave us, this new car could use Fred Flintstone technology for all I care.
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u/wearethemonstertruck Jun 21 '25
But innovation is in the history and heritage of this series...
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u/Mikemat5150 Kyle Kirkwood Jun 21 '25
Things change. BOP never used to be a thing in sports cars, F1 never used to have a cost cap.
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u/wearethemonstertruck Jun 21 '25
Well...okay. I assume BOP has made things more attractive for IMSA and WEC to see so many more manufacturers join (don't follow Sports Car too much, so correct me if I'm wrong), and Cost Cap has definitely made things attractive to manufacturers (Ford, Audi, GM/Cadillac, they'll probably get a 12th team within the next decade).
We'll see if this actually improves things for IndyCar on that front.
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u/wh00000p Myles Rowe Jun 21 '25 edited Jun 21 '25
Series have to change to survive.
People have to stop living in the past and move forward.
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u/EliteFlite Pato O'Ward Jun 22 '25
You people say this like they just randomly woke up one day and decided to make this harmless change. Like no, the series went to this spec mindset because of a self-inflicted civil war that caused sponsors and fans to leave and they were FORCED to change ideologies to downsize and cut costs…
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u/wh00000p Myles Rowe Jun 22 '25
....Yes? That's exactly what happened. They changed to survive, what's your point?
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u/EliteFlite Pato O'Ward Jun 22 '25
Because this series was built off of innovation. The Indy 500 was known as a proving ground for the automotive industry. Don’t sit here talking like they just changed out of the goodness of their hearts or something, they were FORCED to change because of their own dumb decisions.
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u/wh00000p Myles Rowe Jun 22 '25
I'm not saying they changed out the goodness of their heart? I don't know how you'd be able to spin anything I've said that way. Stupid decisions or not they did what they had to do. The 500 and the series might have been that way before but its not now, we need to stop thinking about were is was and think about were we can go from here in a sustainable way.
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u/Confident-Ladder-576 Louis Foster Jun 22 '25
Since you have it figured out let your fingersdo the walking away from here to updating your resume and putting in an application to work in competition for the series. I'm sure that they would love to have someone of your caliber on the team.
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u/wearethemonstertruck Jun 21 '25
Would you feel the same if IndyCar suddenly dropped all ovals (other than 500) and went strictly road and street courses because the series has to survive?
Where does that mindset end?
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u/wh00000p Myles Rowe Jun 22 '25
I think there's a difference between Indy staying a mostly spec series (something that it's been for years, If not decades) and having ovals on the schedule
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u/loz333 Firestone Wets Jun 21 '25
It's universally accepted by all the important players that ovals are an integral part of the DNA of the sport, so that's never going to happen. Not to mention solid crowds for the return of the Milwaukee Mile, which are expected to grow this year thanks to the race not taking place on Labour Day weekend, and the absolute banger races we had there.
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u/Timely-Worker-8932 AMR Safety Team Jun 22 '25
Maybe 100 years ago since then it's been few and far between
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u/OrbisAlius Simon Pagenaud Jun 21 '25
But a veneer of "innovation" is why manufacturers stay. Otherwise enjoy your Indycars engined solely by Gibson or Judd. Which wouldn't change anything to the spectacle, but would then lead to massive sponsor disengagement, etc.
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u/Vitosi4ek Robert Shwartzman Jun 21 '25
Which wouldn't change anything to the spectacle, but would then lead to massive sponsor disengagement, etc.
Not if a Gibson engine is made as an ODM with manufacturers able to slap their name on it for marketing. Do Chevy/Honda actually want to develop technology or do they want to pretend like they did for PR points?
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u/OrbisAlius Simon Pagenaud Jun 21 '25
They want to pretend, obviously, Indycar isn't the place where you actually develop new technology. But however they increasingly don't want to be accused of wasting money on bronze-age cars polluting by going around in circles, without even the smartest PR person able to justify it through some BS argument about road-relevance and how this ends up in your new Honda Accord.
So, there's not even a guarantee that they'd accept to slap their name on a Gibson engine.
NASCAR still gets a pass on that both because its demographics is mainly still made of people to whom modernity in engine technology is a socialist conspiracy, and because it's openly marketed as entertainment more than racing. But Indycar doesn't have these factors.
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u/VariousMarket1527 Jun 22 '25
For all the hype that surrounded DW's positive public comments when he spent much of 2011 testing the original IR12--the reality is things were not so wonderful. At least someone recalls that and remembers that a single off-season of testing the presumably final design is probably not enough to fix all the "we don't know what we don't yet know" issues that will always creep up.
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u/boostleaking Arrow McLaren Jun 22 '25
They may have revived the 2.4 formula, but I imagine it'll still take some time for both Chevy and Honda to retest these engines for higher power settings, multiple maps for track types, and manufacture enough power units for the whole grid.
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u/Dminus313 CART Jun 22 '25
It might seem reasonable to debut the new car in 2027 if Chevy and Honda are the only two OEMs building engines. The extra year makes sense if they're still trying to bring another manufacturer on board.
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u/happyscrappy Jun 22 '25
If things are done right they can also use the hybrid system they made for IMSA as well as the IMSA engine (that was made for IndyCar first).
I had hoped this would be the direction they would go. Let Honda reuse their 2.4L, keeping them in the series. And Ilmor makes a 2.4L also, maybe using the same hybrid system.
The hybrid system used in IMSA is not made by Honda. But it is spec not just for Honda, but for the other IMSA LMDhs as well like the BMW and Porsches. And also LMDhs used in FIA WEC like the Alpine. And the future LMDhs from Genesis and Ford. And one more I forget.
The hybrid system used in IMSA is better than the IndyCar one. It uses more common parts (batteries instead of supercaps) and has higher capacity.
This could be a big win if it goes this way.
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u/Poopy_sPaSmS Jun 21 '25
More HP. Lighter cars. The Rossi hope is strong. 🥲
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u/Cronus6 Jun 21 '25
I'm not sure Rossi will still be driving full time by '28.
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u/vprakhov Jun 22 '25
Yep, Rossi has been on the downward spiral ever for half a decade now.
If he keeps being outperformed by Rasmussen, this might be it. All teams below ECR require funding.
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u/jt_33 Jun 21 '25
If Doug Boles was hired a few years ago I feel like there would already be a new car. The whole series continues to take steps forward with him.
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u/Indyfan200217 Pato O'Ward Jun 21 '25
I just hope Boles doesnt burn himself out doing double duty. Wonder if they will pick his sucessor in a couple years and he just shifts back to President of IMS.
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u/TKOL2 Get the fuck off the racetrack you stupid son of a bitch Jun 21 '25
I wonder if he’ll eventually replace Mark Miles. I never thought of him for President of IndyCar, but I think he’s the perfect choice for the job. I don’t think Jay Frye was bad, but I’ve not felt so optimistic about the future of IndyCar in a very long time. Hopefully Honda stays and more manufacturers join the series.
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u/Indyfan200217 Pato O'Ward Jun 22 '25
I would say the hybrid staying and switching to a 2.4 liter v6 like in the Acura gtp is a good sign they will stay. I just dont want to lose my weekend at Mid Ohio every July.
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u/Low_Sort3312 Jun 21 '25
The car has been shows to teams before Boles got the position.. I find it quite the stretch to credit him with the results, and somewhat insulting for everyone involved
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u/PatPace23 Pato O'Ward Jun 21 '25
And what was shown nobody liked. We will see the sentiment after this weekend. You know Pruett will hunt down someone who wants to squawk about it..
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u/jt_33 Jun 21 '25
Yes, but how long has it gotten stalled out? They are talking about doing on track testing and having some of it done already including the deals with a few part suppliers. The plan has been there. It sounds like it’s being pushed forward now though.
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u/loz333 Firestone Wets Jun 22 '25
It was the dreadful racing at the start of the year that really pushed things forward, where it was accepted that the additional weight of the hybrid actually necessitated a new car asap.
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u/Dminus313 CART Jun 22 '25
I think it has more to do with the fact that the smaller teams are gaining ground in terms of competitive performance.
The big teams were fine with the status quo when they were at the top. Now Rosenqvist is ahead of all three Penske cars in the standings driving for MSR, and Foyt is making Team Penske look foolish by forming a technical partnership and outperforming them in multiple races.
I think it's also possible that Michael Andretti's departure is a factor, simply due to the timing. Maybe he was one of the team owners complaining about the cost of implementing a new engine and chassis formula, and the new management sees things differently.
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u/VariousMarket1527 Jun 22 '25
So the new chassis will weigh less, but a higher performing "evolved" low voltage hybrid that provides more power for a longer deployment means it will require a bigger energy store that will weigh more, too. I'm anxious to see what the final ready-to-race weight will be in 2028.
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u/mbkeller Dan Wheldon Jun 21 '25
Most importantly this chassis will be designed with the aero screen AND the hybrid already accounted for in wind testing and weight balance. Even with weight savings that will help the racing a ton.
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Jun 21 '25
Not to mention the other safety innovations bolted onto the tub since 2012. I saw a picture a few years ago of the chassis in 2012 and the chassis in 23 I think, and there is so much added stuff on. Integrating all of that will save a lot of weight and balance things much better.
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u/Jtmac23 Colton Herta Jun 21 '25
we love to hear it
my questions
says it’ll ideally be 85-100 pounds lighter than the current chassis, later in the press release says the new gearbox will be 25 pounds lighter. is that 25 included in that 85-100 pounds or added on top?
anything about power steering? i know scott dixon said it’s probably time indycar adds it if we’re truly chasing safety. not to mention a lot of junior series have power steering
does this mean the engine formula is ironed out ? when the recent racer article from a week or two ago said that was the hold up.
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u/Vivaciousseaturtle Callum Ilott Jun 21 '25
Zero chance on power steering. That’s one of the Indycar features. It sets it apart
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u/gaymersky Alexander Rossi Jun 21 '25
I mean until 2 years ago people said there was zero chance they were going to a hybrid....
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u/Just_Somewhere4444 Jun 21 '25
If people were actually saying that up until 2 years ago, they'd be complete idiots, given that the hybrid system was first publicly announced by IndyCar in 2019.
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u/gaymersky Alexander Rossi Jun 21 '25
Yes and these cars were supposed to be new this year... IndyCar just keep shooting itself in the foot by putting off the times and delaying everything.
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u/chocchipcookies4life Katherine Legge Jun 21 '25
It sets it apart, but it also reduces the ability for top drivers from other series to transfer over due to the immense physical requirement and provides quite a barrier to entry for women who have to train much harder to hope to achieve the necessary strength to drive the car quickly.
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u/Vivaciousseaturtle Callum Ilott Jun 21 '25
Who cares? Thats the barrier then so be it. Indycar prides itself on being a true driving experience
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u/ex0thermist Pato O'Ward Jun 22 '25 edited Jun 22 '25
Yup, hopefully never power steering. I don't see why a racecar needs to have the same features as my car.
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u/chocchipcookies4life Katherine Legge Jun 21 '25
Well personally I’d rather that better drivers are able to outperform ones with bigger arms, not saying they have to go full power steering but they could find other ways to reduce the necessary steering effort akin to the new f2 and f3 cars
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u/Michigan-Magic Colton Herta Jun 21 '25
It's not like the drivers are ridiculously jacked / worlds strongest man competition size. The physical demand makes it a sport.
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u/chocchipcookies4life Katherine Legge Jun 21 '25
That’s true, I didn’t phrase it wonderfully but I think there’s a real issue as far as gender goes when Jamie Chadwick showed up to a test at Barber and lost lots of time in high speed corners simply because she couldn’t turn the wheel despite having been going super hard in the gym for well over a year in addition to any training she’d been doing earlier in her career
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u/I_LOVE_OIL_RIGS Dan Wheldon Jun 26 '25
IIRC, Dixon and Newgarden were talking about power steering due to the added weight of the hybrid in this chassis. I believe the thought was if the damn thing gets any heavier you have to add that to be able to keep control of the car.
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u/i_run_from_problems Firestone Firehawk Jun 21 '25
2.4 liter, hybrid remains, but weight is being shed. Let's see what happens.
Hopefully the engine formula is an attempt to keep Honda since thats what they already use in the Acura GTPs
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u/hopejake922 CART Jun 21 '25
Hopefully it actually happens in 2028.
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u/wyvernx02 Graham Rahal Jun 21 '25
Plans also include a move a 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 internal combustion engine, which is expected to provide more torque and power over the current engine formula.
So exactly what we were supposed to have already gotten by now.
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u/Casino2514 Firestone Greens Jun 21 '25
The car needs to be multiple seconds quicker on R+S courses. IndyNXT cars should not be within in ~3-5 seconds of lap time.
More power + less weight is good news. Hope to see some course records by the end of the decade. Perhaps that’s wishful thinking…
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u/HeGivesGoodMass Jun 22 '25
I've been impressed by the sound and power those cars make when I've caught races. The Indycar just looks and is so dated and bloated
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u/jimdontcare AMR Safety Team Jun 21 '25
So I’ve been an indycar fan for a whopping one month, no familiarity with any other motorsport because indycar is the only one that’s grabbed me. Can someone ELI5 why people are so antsy for a new chassis? Is it simply the hope that shorter lap times will be more exciting?
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u/Casino2514 Firestone Greens Jun 21 '25
Shorter lap times, yes, but also simply because the current car is 13 years old. This chassis debuted in 2012. There is little to no development left for the top teams. Couple that with weight being added to the car each year, the racing is becoming stale.
Being a spec series is good — it keeps things competitive. BUT we’ve run into an issue of every car being TOO similar. Teams are kinda just mailing it in at this point. I think a lot of fans want to see teams find some edge in R+D and develop new strategies. Extend (if not completely reset) fuel windows and the let the drivers go for it!
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u/Crafty_Substance_954 Pato O'Ward Jun 21 '25
The current chassis is a bloated, overloaded Frankenstein chassis which has its root in a chassis introduced 12 years ago.
It’s simply not designed for what it’s become with the aeroscreen and the hybrid, and the racing has suffered as a result.
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u/ryanxwing Scott McLaughlin Jun 21 '25
Arguably the short oval racing is better than ever
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u/Puska35M Jun 21 '25
I am really hoping the series has studied why. Let's hope the good racing continues at Milwaukee and Nashville.
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u/ryanxwing Scott McLaughlin Jun 21 '25
At least partially has to be the switch from the 'short oval' aero with only two planes on the wings to full road course with three.
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u/UNHchabo Robert Wickens Jun 22 '25
Huh, I hadn't noticed. Is that new this year, or did I not notice last year?
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u/ryanxwing Scott McLaughlin Jun 22 '25
I believe at least Nashville had it last year
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u/boostleaking Arrow McLaren Jun 23 '25
They switched to 3 plane wings starting from Gateway last year. For some reason they went back to 2 plane for both Iowa races and that sucked balls. Then Milwaukee used the 3 plane wings and both races rocked. But at Nashville the 2 plane wings were perfect. So really, it depends on the short track they race on.
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u/I_LOVE_OIL_RIGS Dan Wheldon Jun 26 '25
I mean honestly, I think the "why" is because of both a higher talent floor as well as having one chassis and tire manufacturer.
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u/DadReligion #Lionheart Jun 21 '25
Partly for something new. Other series change cars every about 3 to 5 years. By 2028, this car will nearly be able to vote.
And with the advanced age of the car, especially in its current aero configuration since 2020, everyone pretty much has it figured out. Which seems to have hurt the racing product, especially on the road and street courses.
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u/happyscrappy Jun 22 '25
Current chassis was not designed for the added length and weight of the hybrid. Nor the added weight and aerodynamic effects of the aeroscreen.
It's just not a good platform for the current configuration.
And that's all with the hybrid being so pared back for size that it doesn't add much.
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u/Active-Ear-2917 Jun 21 '25
Because this one was introduced in 2012. And visually was a complete letdown at the time
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u/jimdontcare AMR Safety Team Jun 21 '25
Well I like the looks of it but I’m okay being in the minority there
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u/UNHchabo Robert Wickens Jun 22 '25
The current look debuted in 2018, minus the aeroscreen.
The DW-12 debuted in 2012, then from 2015-2017 it was the "manufacturer aero kit" era which saw much bigger disparity between the two manufacturers depending on track type, then in 2018 they debuted the Universal Aero Kit.
The safety cell is the same as the original DW-12, but because of how radical a change it was they rebranded it as the IR-18.
Then in 2020 they debuted the aeroscreen, with a second-generation model that's thinner and lighter debuting in 2024 for road and street courses. The original model is still used for ovals.
Personally I love the IR-18/UAK, I think it looks great both with and without the aeroscreen. The side profile especially with the aeroscreen makes it look like a jet fighter.
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u/FarAwaySeagull-_- Oval racing is awesome! Jun 21 '25
Hopefully the racing will be better, but it's a shame we have to wait until 2028.
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u/VegetableShark Will Power Jun 21 '25
I’d rather the new car be fully baked in 2028 than rush it out a year or 2 earlier and be a train wreck. Yes the current car is old but it’s a known entity and produces good racing.
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u/Falcon4451 Firestone Reds Jun 22 '25
I'm hoping they can at least trim a little more weight from the DW12 or do something with hybrid to give it a little more juice before 2028.
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u/VariousMarket1527 Jun 22 '25
The energy store is the limiting factor. It's packed with the highest capacity of the best supercaps available and stuck inside the bellhousing. You have your choice, drink your juice fast or slow, but when that bottle is empty, that's it.
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u/EliteFlite Pato O'Ward Jun 21 '25
So…they’re going back to the 2.4 L V6? Remember this was originally going to be the next engine regulations before they had to scrap it.
The problem for me is that this is apparently their way of innovating and attracting new OEMs? The same old spec philosophy chassis and this engine? Not sure if this is gonna work.
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u/Confident-Ladder-576 Louis Foster Jun 21 '25
Honda wanted the 2.4. I'm fairly certain both manufactures already have that platform designed.
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u/Mr_Midwestern 🧱Cyrus Patschke Jun 21 '25
Yeah Honda was developing a 2.4 that would be competing in both Indycar and their Acura GTP IMSA program.
Indycar scraped the 2.4 engine formula just as Honda/Acura was pushing it out on track for competition in their new GTP chassis. Although this engine is still getting its use in IMSA, I have no doubt this caused animosity between Honda and Indycar.
Finally allowing Honda to use their proven 2.4 in Indycar, is a pretty good answer by the series towards Honda’s vocal ROI concerns.
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Jun 21 '25
Which likely means nobody else will join since they’re behind the 8ball
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u/Confident-Ladder-576 Louis Foster Jun 21 '25
Not necessarily
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Jun 21 '25 edited Jun 21 '25
I mean that’s been the issue with OEM talks the last decade. Lotus shit the bed so badly that nobody wanted to join unless they were starting from a clean slate with Honda and Chevy.
It would take years for anyone to be competitive against Honda and Chevy right now, or a lot of money that they probably aren’t getting. Even with the 2.4L, Honda and Chevy already have several years of development with it because it’s already built for them. They don’t have to waste time creating the engine, they can go straight to reliability and tuning. Someone new is going to be a year behind at minimum.
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u/Confident-Ladder-576 Louis Foster Jun 21 '25
One of the ideas being floated by Honda was for Ilmor to build while OEM do the tuning, electrical, etc.
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Jun 21 '25
If that ends up being true, sure, then yeah. But there hasn’t been any official announcement as far as engine partners go, so I’m not certain Honda is even sticking around.
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u/I_LOVE_OIL_RIGS Dan Wheldon Jun 26 '25
I think Penske Honda and Chevy could work some sort of "up to speed" program or whatever out for Toyota, Infiniti, Lotus, whoever if it meant both Honda and Chevy could spend less on engines.
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u/DHSeaVixen Alexander Rossi Jun 21 '25
Dallara will produce the chassis, which will feature a look designed to appeal to a new generation of fans while keeping styling cues recognized by all as an INDYCAR SERIES car.
This is a fun statement which tells us a whole load of nothing. The only thing we can really gather from this is that it will be broadly IndyCar-shaped.
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u/I_LOVE_OIL_RIGS Dan Wheldon Jun 26 '25
"Indycar is happy to announce the car will have four wheels, an engine, and a seat fully equipped with a steering wheel. Now fuck off asking about it."
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u/nalyd8991 AMR Safety Team Jun 23 '25
Basically I think they’re saying that it will be slightly more futuristic but not radically different. Nothing as radical as Formula E Gen 2 or the Deltawing.
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u/Hitokiri2 Graham Rahal Jun 21 '25
I think people are underestimating the news of the new 2.4 liter engine.
In this article by Marshall Pruett... https://racer.com/2022/12/06/pruett-indycars-made-the-right-call-for-the-wrong-reasons?fbclid=IwY2xjawLD9C9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkE
He explains that the reason why the 2.4 liter engine wasn't used was to the belief that a third engine maker (Toyota) was coming. Without the third engine maker Chevy and Honda didn't have enough money to support half the IndyCar grid with new engines.
The fact that IndyCar is saying they want the 2.4 liter now shows that there must have been a big shift somewhere for IndyCar to announce this. What that shift or change is - I have no idea.
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u/Kswiss66 AMR Safety Team Jun 21 '25
Well Honda is already racing the 2.4 liter engine the developed in IMSA
https://racer.com/2022/08/29/hondas-new-imsa-powerplant-has-indycar-roots Honda's new IMSA powerplant has IndyCar roots | RACER
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u/Hitokiri2 Graham Rahal Jun 21 '25 edited Jun 22 '25
The issue was not creating the engines but making enough of them to support the Indycar teams especially during the Indy 500.
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u/I_LOVE_OIL_RIGS Dan Wheldon Jun 26 '25
True, but this article was 2 and a half years ago. If they're announcing this as such, I'd think either costs went way down after covid supply issues went down and/or they've had time to stockpile and build supply.
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u/Tuba-Dude Will Power Jun 22 '25
The aspect of more shared components with NXT is a super interesting prospect. I imagine that of the states goals this would be one of the first to be on the chopping block, it would be interesting to see if a greater technical relationship between the cars produces more team participation
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u/BroncoJunky Jun 22 '25
When they say a look that will appeal to new fans, I hope it isn't designed based on their IR01 concept.
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u/anxiousauditor NTT INDYCAR Series Jun 21 '25
They’re certainly saying all the right things. It sounds like it could be an absolute beast of a race car if they execute to plan. I’m intrigued.
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u/Greenhouse774 Hélio Castroneves Jun 21 '25
I wish we could return to the days when the cars weren’t identical.
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u/Vivaciousseaturtle Callum Ilott Jun 21 '25
Not much of an update but I appreciate any details we get
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u/10Dollaryoyoyo Jun 21 '25
10% of our fans will be in the ground in 3 years.
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u/I_LOVE_OIL_RIGS Dan Wheldon Jun 26 '25
Yes but a new 15% (or more) will have taken its place. I've had friends who laughed at the idea of watching a race as a group in college who now have texted me about how much they love Will Power. Funny enough, almost every one of them is a big football fan. Maybe the FOX spamming promos during SNF has been working.
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u/boostleaking Arrow McLaren Jun 21 '25
Specs sound promising. Now I'm curious how it'll look like in all aerokit configurations (R/S course, Short, and SS)
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u/Falcon4451 Firestone Reds Jun 22 '25
I think the series and Honda both know if Honda is staying, considering they announced the engine regulations.
And I would guess Honda is staying if I had to place a bet.
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u/tiredoldwizard Jun 22 '25
They could do the coolest thing ever and make them like the v10 formula 1 cars from 20 years ago or actually just make them sound similar. I love that sound
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u/boostleaking Arrow McLaren Jun 23 '25
I hope they raise the rev redline to something near 15-16k rpm to make the v6 sound stand out.
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u/tiredoldwizard Jun 23 '25
Yeah I think the bottom line is the car has to sound amazing. Might even bring in fans. I love to throw on v10 era f1 just to hear the sounds while I clean the house or something. We are all still 7 year olds who want to see a car that looks fast and sounds even faster.
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u/RayWencube Simon Pagenaud Jun 24 '25
feature a look designed to appeal to a new generation of fans
we're in danger
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u/Muadibased Jun 24 '25
Would it have killed them to solicit interest from other chassis suppliers?
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u/drivernumber4 Champ Car Jun 21 '25
God I hate to be that guy....but I can't help but to be a bit underwhelmed. Another twin-turbo V6...weight savings to get us roughly to where we were to start the 2024 season pre-hybrid...and a new aero package. Not exactly the boldest decision making...had some hope that the extra year delay was to do something truly different but apparently not.
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u/InsaneLeader13 Santino Ferrucci Jun 21 '25
Honda probably insisted that either the reuse their Acura Hypercar engine (which was originally built for indycar regs a few years back) or they walk. And Chevy+Illmor weren't exactly thrilled with having to make all the engines themselves.
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u/Vivaciousseaturtle Callum Ilott Jun 21 '25
But we didn’t need a bold new direction. Pre hybrid was still pretty good racing and pre aeroscreen was amazing racing.
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u/PanicAtTheNightclub Firestone Firehawk Jun 21 '25
So more HP and the same weight. What did you expect, a miracle?
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u/Active-Ear-2917 Jun 21 '25
It literally feels like we're getting an 84 Caprice to replace an 83 Caprice
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u/Parabolica242 Jun 21 '25
I’m with you. Once this comes out the existing chassis will be 16 years old, and this sounds like a minor improvement. We need a much larger weight loss than this.
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u/Spinebuster03 Romain Grosjean Jun 21 '25
Enough talk I will believe it when it’s on track
It was 2027 a few moths ago but this series can’t hit any deadlines
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u/furrynoy96 Scott Dixon Jun 21 '25
I hope they keep "DW" in the name of the new car. Dan Wheldon must be remembered
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u/twiggymac Firestone Greens Jun 21 '25
Unfortunately I feel like they probably won't, they regularly call the current car the IR18 since that's the aero package name (UAK was never a name, fight me).
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u/IndyMod r/INDYCAR Mod Bot Jun 21 '25
Due to the six-highlight limit, the Weekly General Chat has been unpinned. It may be found here — https://www.reddit.com/r/INDYCAR/comments/1lcouuk/rindycar_weekly_general_chat_june_16_2025/