IndyCar is prepping for its biggest technical overhaul in more than a decade, showing off the all-new IR-28 race car that will debut in the 2028 NTT IndyCar Series. The sanctioning body boasts the car will put out more power, weigh less, and a sport a design aimed at producing even closer racing.The new chassis, developed by longtime supplier Dallara, replaces the current IR-18 platform that has served as the mainstay of the series since 2018. The IR-28 introduces major aerodynamic, mechanical, and hybrid powertrain changes designed to make the cars faster and more raceable.Among the biggest changes is a weight reduction of approximately 100 pounds. IndyCar also expects the new car to produce faster lap times and potentially break long-standing track records, including Arie Luyendyk’s Indianapolis Motor Speedway qualifying speeds that have stood since 1996.Red and white IndyCar race car with sleek design on a reflective surface against a dark background.Power will come from a new generation of 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines from Chevrolet and Honda producing as much as 760 horsepower. Also, the updated hybrid system replaces the current supercapacitor setup with a battery-based energy storage system developed by BOLD Technology and an electric drive unit from Helix. IndyCar says the new system stores roughly 14 times more energy while reducing weight by about 20 pounds, giving drivers more flexibility in how they deploy hybrid power during a race.Aerodynamics have also been completely redesigned. IndyCar says the car’s bodywork has been optimized to reduce turbulent air and allow competitors to follow more closely through corners, increasing overtaking opportunities. A more integrated aeroscreen improves both aerodynamics and visibility, but also gives the IR-28 a fighter-jet look.A top-down view of a sleek red and white IndyCar race car on a dark background.That slimmer aeroscreen gives the appearance of a smaller aperture, but IndyCar says the cockpit is actually larger and designed to accommodate a wider range of driver sizes. Electronically adjustable antiroll bars replace the current manual controls, simplifying cockpit ergonomics and improving safety, while a new suspension package featuring the Custom AXIS Inertance Control System offers teams greater setup flexibility.IndyCar fans will notice other additions, including digital position displays on each car and transparent engine-cover windows that show off the powerplants beneath. And important on the moneymaking side of things, the chassis also creates more visible space for sponsor branding.Safety improvements on the IR-28 include stronger side-impact structures, a more stable chassis designed to stay grounded during incidents, and improved driver cooling. The new car debuts in the 2028 season but testing begins immediately at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Sebring, giving team engineers nearly two years to refine the package.“It’s incredible,” driver Alexander Rossi said. “We all wanted a new, modern-day car that is lighter and looks futuristic and fast but still has all of the incredible safety advancements that IndyCar is known for.”
+55 others
