IndyCar today unveiled the next‑generation IR‑28 chassis, slated to hit the grid in 2028 and promise faster laps, higher safety standards, and intensified side‑by‑side action across all circuits.
Design and Performance Gains
The IR‑28, crafted with Dallara, pushes the package lighter by roughly 100 lb, giving a dramatically improved power‑to‑weight ratio that enables tighter braking and sharper acceleration for tighter battles.
- Weight – 100 lb reduction provides smoother handling.
- Power – a 2.4‑liter twin‑turbo V6 from Chevrolet and Honda delivers up to 760 hp.
- Hybrid – Helix places a low‑voltage unit in the bellhousing, while BOLD Technology supplies a 14‑times‑larger battery‑based energy storage system than the prior supercapacitor.
- Transmission – Xtrac delivers a unit 25 lb lighter than its predecessor.
Aerodynamics and Cockpit Innovation
The body has been re‑engineered for clearer wake management and reduced turbulence, enabling cleaner overtakes. New front and rear wing arrangements provide aggressive downforce on streets and a low‑drag, high‑downforce package for ovals. The safety aeroscreen is now a structural part of the chassis, slimming the external profile and improving aerodynamics.
Inside the cockpit, driver‑adjustable electronic anti‑roll bars replace manual knobs, giving teams faster setup changes while keeping the cockpit tighter and safer. A transparent engine window showcases the V6 branding from Chevrolet and Honda, adding a new visual touch for teams.
Safety Enhancements
Engineered to exceed both IndyCar and FIA standards, the IR‑28 features a wider cockpit for drivers of varying statures, reinforced side‑impact structures that absorb higher kinetic energy, and revised crash dynamics that help maintain ground contact in spinning or airborne incidents.
“The new package will raise safety standards across the industry,” said Dallara CEO Stefano dePonti, adding that the partnership with IndyCar reflects a decade of shared commitment to innovation.
Marketing and Sponsor Visibility
Expanded surface areas on the bodywork, a digital car‑position display, and large transparent engine panels offer teams and series partners more real‑time and static visibility. Sponsorship real‑estate will be optimized over the next season to deliver higher brand exposure.
Roadmap to 2028
Testing commenced this week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s oval and road course, followed by exams at Sebring International Raceway and additional venues scheduled for the coming months. IndyCar president J. Douglas Boles highlighted the extensive collaboration behind the IR‑28, emphasizing that “the initial testing to begin this week gives us confidence that we will showcase a new era of IndyCar.”
Chevrolet’s Eric Warren and Honda Racing Corporation’s David Salters welcomed the hybrid‑powered V6, noting the engine’s heritage of 16 manufacturer championships and 13 Indy 500 wins, and the opportunity to enhance competition with a lighter, more powerful drivetrain.
The IR‑28 promises to set new lap‑record benchmarks, especially at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, challenging records that date back to 1996. As the test program unfolds, the next‑generation IndyCar will further solidify its position as a premier open‑wheel series.
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