Dallara IR-28: IndyCar’s 2028 car targets more power, less weight and closer racing
Dallara’s IR-28 brings a new shape, more power and a lighter hybrid system to IndyCar, with revised aerodynamics and safety measures designed to produce closer racing and finally challenge Arie Luyendyk’s long-standing Indianapolis records
Joe Skibinski
It’s been ages since we had a new Indycar
Sure has. The current Dallara DW12 – named in honour of the much-missed Dan Wheldon – was introduced back in 2012 as its title suggests, but that car will still be in use until the end of 2027 due to cost and production timescales.
This looks futuristic
In many ways it is. IndyCar has stuck with Dallara for the project, and the new car features a sleeker, more modern design with entirely new front and rear wings, a digital position indicator plus a glass engine cover – a really nice touch that adds a bit of classic road-racing feel and allows fans a glimpse at the Honda or Chevrolet units that will power each team. Revised aerodynamics should allow drivers to follow more closely through corners and tighten up the field.
Sleeker design should lead to closer racing
Chris Owens
Is it more powerful?
Oh yes. The current 2.2-litre twin turbo V6 engines will be ditched for the start of 2028, with the new car instead using an enlarged 2.4-litre version capable of producing 760bhp. It will be coupled with an evolved low-voltage hybrid system that’s around 10kg lighter than the current version. All in, we should see about 100bhp more in a car that weighs 100kg less.
It’ll be quicker then?
That’s the plan. IndyCar and Dallara hope the result will be capable of breaking long-standing track records – specifically the qualifying record at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where both the single-lap (237.498mph) and four-lap average (236.986mph) records were set by Arie Luyendyk way back in 1996 and have since proved untouchable, with last year’s Indy times falling a good 4mph short of that. Scott McLaughlin came closest under the current ruleset during 2024 with a 234.220mph four-lap run.
It will be on track from 2028 onwards
Indycar
You say it’s safer too?
IndyCar claims the IR-28 will have the safest monocoque in its history with a wider cockpit to better accommodate a range of driver sizes; stronger, more efficient side-impact structures; and improved stability to remain grounded during spins or slides.
When will we see it run?
It already has. Alexander Rossi and Álex Palou conducted the first shakedowns at Indy in early August and it will go on to have a full test programme. Teams aren’t set to get their hands on it until the end of the 2027 season though.