Without hybrid unit, the first test of the new IndyCar engines goes smoothly: President Jay Frye also likes the sound of the new power units
The first test with the new IndyCar engines has been a complete success. Not only the manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda are satisfied. IndyCar president Jay Frye is also extremely pleased with the premiere of the new drive units.
“Obviously we’ve been working on it for a long time and I think it’s just absolutely spectacular and amazing that the only problem with the last three days was basically the cold weather of the first two days,” he told ‘RACER’. “To drive as much as they did without any problems is a big credit to Chevrolet and Honda.”
That things went so smoothly with the 2.4-litre V6 twinturbos, which are due to replace the current 2.2-litre V6 twinturbos from 2024, prompted Frye to make a remarkable statement: “It felt like we could race with these engines tomorrow. It felt so good straight out of the pits, which is just absolutely spectacular. “
However, part of the truth is that a very crucial part was missing during the first test drives with the new powertrains: The electric motor provided by Mahle. From 2024, the IndyCar Series will also rely on hybrid power. For this reason, the alternator from the current 2.2-litre engine was installed during the tests.
IndyCar President: Definitely more robust sound
Valid conclusions can therefore only be drawn when the new engines, including the hybrid unit, are on the track. The test drives at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on the other hand, allow us to draw a different conclusion: in terms of sound, the IndyCar Series is still at the top of the league with the new generation of engines.
“We’ve always talked about this new formula being fast and loud, and it definitely feels like it’s growling a little bit more; you could definitely hear it,” Frye enthuses. “It’s obviously going to be exciting to see a lot of cars out there at the same time, racing together. But it definitely has a more robust sound.”
It remains to be seen when the IndyCar manufacturers will next try out their new powerplants on the race track. The 2022 racing calendar gives two possible major slots: one between Long Beach (April 10) and Barber (May 1) and one between Elkhart Lake (June 12) and Mid-Ohio (July 3).
“As always, you have to go through all the data, assess things and evaluate them,” Frye said he doesn’t want to commit to that question yet. “Theyll come back to us and tell us when they are ready to do more kilometres,” Frye continued. The new hybrid engines were supposed to debut this year, but have since been postponed until 2024.
