The new 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine that will debut in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2024 underwent its first test March 28-30 on the Formula One layout of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
Engineers from Chevrolet Performance and Honda Performance Development working with the new powerplant had identical grades after three days of laps in chilly conditions – straight A’s.
Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power shared testing duties for Chevrolet, with Newgarden on track Monday and Power turning laps Tuesday and Wednesday. Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing tested for Honda.
The engine was not tested in its final configuration. Development, testing and work to incorporate the hybrid component will continue throughout the year. The introduction of the hybrid energy recovery system was delayed due to global supply chain issues.
SEE: Chevrolet Trackside Video | Chevrolet Pit Lane Video | Honda Video
Chevy reported more than 600 miles of testing over the three days.
"We’ve had a very successful and productive three days with the new Chevrolet 2.4L INDYCAR engine,” said Rob Buckner, Chevrolet engineering program manager for INDYCAR. “This was a big milestone as we have progressed from initial concept of the 2.4L design a few years ago and running extensively on the dyno to installing the engine into a car and now the landmark event of turning our first laps at the Indianapolis road course.
"We are incredibly appreciative of the all the men and women at Chevrolet Performance and our partners at Ilmor for their commitment to a highly successful on-track debut for the 2.4L engine platform. We could race this engine tomorrow, which is the highest praise possible for a new engine. Special thanks to Team Penske for quickly building a reliable and safe test car along with Josef Newgarden and Will Power for looking after our prototype engine with first-rate feedback.”
Said David Salters, HPD president and technical director: “A big shout out to the inspiring Honda men and women at HPD back in California, where the Honda INDYCAR engine is designed, simulated, manufactured, assembled and dyno-tested. The engine ran well throughout the three days, and we completed all planned test items, thanks to Chip Ganassi Racing and Scott Dixon.
“The car ran flawlessly with great collaboration and feedback, and we learned a lot. It’s great to get our new powerplant on track. We set ourselves these challenges to develop our people and technology here at HPD. Very proud of the amazing team at HPD and our Honda ‘challenging spirit.’ It’s great to see all this hard work roaring round the legendary Indy track, very special and certainly emotional for all of us.
The development of the 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with hybrid technology involves cutting-edge innovations unique to INDYCAR. The new engine will give the most exciting and competitive racing series in the world a roaring and powerful 800 horsepower as a baseline. The addition of the hybrid system will give an additional boost of 100 horsepower to ultimately produce 900.
Power already was enthusiastic about the performance of the new engine, even without the hybrid components.
“Today was a great step in getting the 2.4-liter engine package ready to go for the 2024 season,” Power said. “It was clear immediately that Chevy has put a lot of work into this already. It will obviously continue to get better and better. The Verizon 5G Chevy team did 150 laps, and I was impressed with the power of the engine throughout the day. I’m very excited about this addition to the series and can’t wait to continue to help develop it.”
A group of fans witnessed the test from the Viewing Mounds in the IMS infield, and Salters was impressed with their ability to pinpoint a different engine sound from the new engines.
“Props to the extremely well-informed fans out there in social media land who noticed a deeper, gnarly tone from our new HPD INDYCAR racing engine,” Salters said. “It is an entirely new design from HPD, and it certainly grabs your attention. Not bad for a bio-fueled, super-efficient racing engine. Well done to those HPD racing magicians.
“We had a great test at Indy these past three days. Despite the chilly temperatures our HPD racing engine is warm and ready for its hybrid friend to join the party. We can’t wait to integrate the hybrid technology, boost the powertrain performance and further enhance the great racing that is INDYCAR.”
The 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season continues Sunday, April 10 for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach, California. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. (ET) on NBC and simulstreamed on Peacock Premium. Coverage is also available from the INDYCAR Radio Network with audio available via the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.