INDIANAPOLIS – IndyCar has locked in its two engine manufacturers – Honda and Chevrolet – through the end of the decade.
IndyCar President Jay Frye, along with Honda Performance Development President Ted Klaus and General Motors President Mark Reuss, announced contract extensions to remain with IndyCar for six additional years.
Saturday’s announcement included the plan for the new engine rules and when they will be implemented.
“Fast, loud, and authentic, along with a history of innovation – that’s our racing roots and will continue to be the sport’s legacy,” Frye said, “This announcement keeps that in mind while celebrating a stable and bright future.
“Today is obviously huge news. OEM participation is the lifeblood backbone of any series. So, to have the runway that we’re announcing today, which is a long time, we’ve got a good plan, a good future, and together with Chevrolet and Honda we couldn’t be more excited about the future.
“We wanted to make sure that we had a long-term extension with both of our current partners who are phenomenal partners. Today bodes well for that. They see what we’re doing, where we’re going, that we have a good path. In ’21 and ’22 we’ll have the 2.2-liter twin turbo V-6; ’23 going forward we’ll have the 2.4 hybrid technology.
“I think they know where we’re going, they know what we’re doing. We’ve got two great partners that are already lined up, so we’re excited about the future, and we’re excited what that could look like down the road.”
Because of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown to facilities around the world, the introductions of the 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 with hybrid technology will be delayed to the year 2023.
Working in partnership with Chevrolet and Honda, the new engine will give will produce an additional 100 horsepower and ultimately produce more than 900 horsepower.
“We were all basically shut down for months at a time,” Frye explained. “And that’s just not us, there’s vendors, suppliers, there’s other things. So, it became very clear that we needed to delay it for a year, and simultaneously, which was great, we were able to work on something that goes beyond that year. So, we’re well into the future now, we’ve got a good plan, a good path, know what we’re going, and again, we’ve got great partners that we’re going to go into the future with.
“To be able to announce a long-term, multi-year extension with our two great partners is phenomenal. It’s an exciting time in IndyCar with the innovations in the car, the new 2.4-liter engine and hybrid technology.”
The newly designed powertrain system also will provide a departure from the traditional, manual handheld starters and will let drivers restart the car quickly should it stall on the track. This will benefit the AMR IndyCar Safety Team as it reduces exposure time on track and adds to the fan experience by potentially reducing the number of caution flags on track, leading to better flow and time of races.
“Chevrolet has enjoyed great success since joining the NTT IndyCar Series in 2012 with our 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V6 engine,” Reuss said. “We are thrilled to be moving forward with IndyCar because it’s the perfect showcase for our engine technology, in the only open-wheel racing series in America, a high-tech, growing series that Roger Penske and his team are absolutely taking to the next level.”
Klaus, who earlier this week announced he would be retiring from his position at Honda effective Dec. 1, was proud to get this arrangement completed during his tenure.
“Honda welcomes this step to the future by IndyCar, action that mirrors Honda’s efforts to develop and manufacture high-performance, electrified products that will meet industry challenges and delight our customers,” Klaus said. “At Honda, we race to develop our people, to innovate technologies and to engage fans. We are proud of our uninterrupted, 27-year leadership in INDYCAR, and look forward to delivering a next-generation Honda 2.4-liter hybrid power unit with more than 900 horsepower.
“Today is a culmination of a lot of effort by a lot of people, and it’s great to have the fans here. That’s why motorsports is in our blood. Really, really proud of our 27-year continuous commitment to IndyCar, and it has paid dividends over and over again.”