Starting in 2012, IZOD IndyCar Series machines will have turbocharged engines that are more powerful and efficient than the current powerplants, can pump out 550 to 700 horsepower, feature up to six cylinders, and have a maximum displacement of 2.4 cubic liters.
The ICONIC Advisory Committee, formed earlier this year to determine the future path of IndyCar in regards to its next engine and chassis platform, recommended the upcoming specs. According to an Indy Racing League press release, the organization hopes to make a final chassis decision by the end of this month.
League CEO Randy Bernard said that the new engine platform is the best way to emphasize the speed, competition and diversity inherent in the sport.
“We feel this open and all-inclusive platform will make our sport an attractive option to engine manufacturers, while allowing development of a relevant and innovative platform to the current and future automotive industry by highlighting efficiency, performance, durability, quality, environmental responsibility and safety,” he said.
More of Bernard’s comments in the release seem to position the League as a place that wants to once again be a stage for manufacturers to show off their contributions to the evolution of automotive technology. The IZOD IndyCar Series teams currently run the eight-year-old Dallara chassis and all of them have been powered exclusively by Honda since 2006.
“Now that we have a platform in place, it is our job to put this package in front of the automotive industry to attract the type of participation that will elevate the sport,” said Bernard. “We truly want to challenge manufacturers to once again make our sport a proving ground and a platform to showcase technology that will benefit the future of their industry.”
The release also said that the new platform will force the series to apply new rules in order to equalize the competition between the different engines that may get involved.
“For example, we could see a V-6 competing against an Inline 4 at all IZOD IndyCar Series events in the future,” League president of competition Brian Barnhart said. “We will require reference engines as a benchmark in performance while looking at sonic air restrictors, fuel flow restrictions and more as key criteria for competition.”
