{"id":789674,"date":"2026-07-28T17:03:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T17:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/789674\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T17:03:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T17:03:12","slug":"indycar-unveils-faster-lighter-2028-race-car-built-to-shatter-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/789674\/","title":{"rendered":"IndyCar unveils faster, lighter 2028 race car built to shatter records"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In a major step forward for open-wheel racing, IndyCar has officially revealed its next-generation machine: the IR-28. Set to make its competitive debut at the start of the 2028 IndyCar season, the newly designed chassis and engine package promises faster lap times, unprecedented safety, and enhanced wheel-to-wheel action across all track disciplines.<\/p>\n<p>Developed in partnership with long-time chassis supplier\u00a0Dallara, the IR-28 represents a ground-up redesign aimed at setting new benchmarks for motorsport competition while maintaining the series&#8217; distinct identity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are pleased to unveil renderings of the new\u00a0NTT IndyCar Series chassis that will take our sport into an exciting new era,\u201d IndyCar president J. Douglas Boles said. \u201cAs you can imagine, a project of this magnitude takes an incredible amount of planning, collaboration and execution. I would like to thank all of our partners including Dallara, Chevrolet, Honda, Firestone and Shell, who have worked tirelessly to create a package that will enhance IndyCar\u2019s already incredible competition and industry-leading growth.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith initial testing to begin this week, there is still plenty of work to do before 2028, but we are well on our way to showcasing a new era of\u00a0IndyCar, which will include enhanced wheel-to wheel competition, track records, standards in raceability and new benchmarks in safety. We are confident the IR-28 is the ideal package to move IndyCar forward for our teams, drivers, partners and fans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read Also:<\/p>\n<p>Dallara USA chief executive officer Stefano dePonti added: &#8220;We are honored that IndyCar has chosen Dallara once again. After more than a decade of partnership, their continued trust is the greatest recognition of our team&#8217;s efforts.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This achievement demonstrates the dedication, expertise and collaboration of many individuals who worked tirelessly to create a car that meets today\u2019s needs while looking toward the future. It also reflects\u00a0Dallara\u2019s ongoing commitment to investing in innovation and education, sharing the knowledge developed in motorsport with academia and beyond.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nAiming for track records &amp; reduced weight<\/p>\n<p>The IR-28 is engineered to surpass current lap times and take aim at long-standing track records across North America. Crucially, this includes the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) speed records set in 1996 by two-time Indianapolis 500\u00a0winner Arie Luyendyk.<\/p>\n<p>To achieve these record-breaking speeds and improve\u00a0raceability, the new car undergoes a massive weight reduction:<\/p>\n<p>Overall weight loss: The IR-28 will weigh approximately 100 pounds less than the current race car.<br \/>\nPower-to-weight ratio: The lighter frame will significantly improve acceleration and braking performance, allowing drivers to follow closer and push harder in wheel-to-wheel battles.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sleek aerodynamics &amp; cutting-edge design<\/p>\n<p>While maintaining iconic\u00a0IndyCar styling cues, every inch of the IR-28 bodywork has been re-engineered:<\/p>\n<p>Purpose-built wake architecture:\u00a0For the first time, aerodynamic airflow has been designed specifically to optimize the wake behind the vehicle, reducing dirty outwash and encouraging easier overtaking.<br \/>\nWing configurations: Features new front and rear wings that provide an aggressive stance on road and street circuits, alongside a\u00a0high-downforce, low-drag package for superspeedways (including a more aerodynamically stable front wing for IMS).<br \/>\nIntegrated aeroscreen: The safety aeroscreen has been purpose-built directly into the chassis architecture, resulting in a lighter, sleeker, and more aerodynamic profile with a distinctive &#8220;fighter jet&#8221; look.<br \/>\nCockpit innovations: Mechanical anti-roll bar knobs and handles are replaced by electronically controlled driver-adjustable anti-roll bars, cleaning up cockpit space for safety while improving setup responsiveness.<br \/>\nCustom AXIS inertance suspension system: Built around a lightweight, shared damping architecture, the AXIS platform offers multi-mode spring, damper, and inerter tuning options without driving up costs. Notably,\u00a0IndyCar\u00a0will remain the only major motorsport championship to allow both front and rear third-element inertance systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/indycar-2028-race-car.jpg\" alt=\"Indycar 2028 race car\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"title\">Indycar 2028 race car<\/p>\n<p class=\"photographer\">Photo by: IndyCar<\/p>\n<p>Visual &amp; commercial enhancements<\/p>\n<p>Digital car position display: Mounts directly on the car to show real-time track position during practice, qualifying, and races.<br \/>\nTransparent engine window: A window built into the engine cover showcases Chevrolet and Honda branding.<br \/>\nSponsorship real estate: Expanded and optimized surface areas across the bodywork offer heightened visibility for teams and series partners.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Powerplant: Hybrid performance &amp; lighter drivetrain<\/p>\n<p>Powering the 2028 grid will be a 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 internal combustion engine capable of producing up to 760 horsepower, with official commitments secured from both Chevrolet and Honda.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEveryone at Chevrolet is looking forward to this next era of the\u00a0NTT IndyCar Series and the debut of the IR-28 in 2028,\u201d GM vice president of global motorsports competition Eric Warren said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis new car builds on more than a decade of collaboration with\u00a0IndyCar, and we\u2019re confident the new 2.4-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine will deliver the performance, sound and excitement IndyCar fans expect from team Chevy \u2014 the same standard that has produced 16 manufacturer championships and 13 Indianapolis 500 victories.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Honda Racing Corporation USA president David Salters added: \u201cFor more than 30 years, Honda has built upon its racing heritage as a key partner of the NTT IndyCar Series, and we are excited to begin this next chapter with the IR-28 powered by our new American-made HRC V6 Hybrid powertrain.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;IndyCar delivers some of the best racing on the planet, and this evolution of the formula creates new opportunities to enhance it \u2014 a lighter car, a more powerful hybrid powertrain, an even safer chassis and exciting chassis, and aerodynamic engineering challenges for our Honda associates and teams.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTogether, these advancements will help usher\u00a0IndyCar into a new era. Honda is proud to be part of that future, supported by the long-term commitment we made to the series earlier this year. We can\u2019t wait to see the IR-28 on track entertaining our IndyCar fans.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Helix hybrid integration: UK-based supplier Helix \u2014 known for F1, Formula E, and\u00a0hypercar technology \u2014 manufactures a low-voltage hybrid unit positioned neatly inside the bellhousing between the engine and gearbox.<br \/>\nBOLD Technology\u00a0ESS: Featuring its first battery-based Energy Storage System (ESS) in series history, Spain- and Michigan-based BOLD Technology delivers roughly 14 times the energy storage capacity of the previous supercapacitor system, allowing drivers complex deployment strategies.<br \/>\nXtrac transmission: Longtime partner Xtrac provides a newly engineered transmission unit that sheds 25 pounds from the current car.<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785258192_51_indycar-2028-race-car.jpg\" alt=\"Indycar 2028 race car\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"title\">Indycar 2028 race car<\/p>\n<p class=\"photographer\">Photo by: IndyCar<\/p>\n<p>Uncompromising safety standards<\/p>\n<p>Engineered to exceed both IndyCar and FIA specifications (whichever is more stringent), the IR-28 introduces critical safety enhancements:<\/p>\n<p>Wider cockpit dimensions: Designed to comfortably fit a wider variety of driver heights and body structures, complemented by improved internal airflow and driver cooling systems.<br \/>\nAdvanced side-impact structures: Reinforced side architecture absorbs higher kinetic energy levels during high-speed lateral impacts.<br \/>\nOptimized crash dynamics: Improved vehicle dynamics help keep the car grounded during sliding, spinning, or &#8220;nose-up&#8221; airborne events.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Testing rollout\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Track testing for the IR-28 begins immediately, featuring an extensive evaluation schedule at venues including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (oval and road course), Sebring International Raceway, and additional facilities to be announced.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Read Also:<\/p>\n<p>            We want your opinion!<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-auto\">What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?<\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"#\" class=\"ms-link text-link font-bold\">Take our 5 minute survey.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-1 text-body\">&#8211; The Motorsport.com Team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In a major step forward for open-wheel racing, IndyCar has officially revealed its next-generation machine: the IR-28. 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