INDYCAR has officially unveiled its next-generation race car, introducing the Dallara IR-28, the first all-new chassis the series has debuted in more than a decade. The new car is scheduled to make its competition debut at the start of the 2028 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

The IR-28 features a completely redesigned look while officials say it places a strong emphasis on improving competition, safety, and performance. Series officials say the car is engineered to produce faster lap times, create cleaner airflow for improved overtaking opportunities, and provide the safest IndyCar ever built.

Among the biggest changes:

• Approximately 100 pounds lighter than the current DW12-based chassis.
• Powered by new 2.4-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid engines from Chevrolet and Honda producing up to 760 horsepower.
• A new battery-based hybrid system replaces the current supercapacitor design, storing significantly more energy while reducing weight.
• Redesigned aerodynamics are intended to reduce turbulent air behind the cars, allowing drivers to race closer together.
• An integrated aeroscreen creates a sleeker profile while improving visibility and airflow.
• New safety upgrades include stronger side-impact protection, improved driver cooling, and a more stable chassis.

The chassis will continue to be built by Dallara, while Chevrolet and Honda remain the series’ engine manufacturers. Firestone will continue supplying tires.

People Speak Out

INDYCAR President Doug Boles called the IR-28 “an exciting new era” for the series and credited Dallara, Chevrolet, Honda, Firestone, and Shell for their collaboration in bringing the project to life. Broadcaster Will Buxton described it as, “An all-new car designed to break track records and improve upon the incredible racing spectacle that IndyCar is renowned for displaying week in, week out.”

Several IndyCar drivers also shared their excitement about the new car. Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward said he was “looking forward to finding its limits,” while Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyffin Simpson imagined the car wearing Sunoco colors. Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alex Rossi called the design “amazing.”

“We all wanted a new and modernized car that was lighter, and looked futuristic and fast, but still with the incredible safety advancements that IndyCar is known for,” Rossi said. “This one delivers on all those fronts. There’s a lot to work on in terms of on-track testing and seeing how it reacts to the different types of environments it’ll be exposed to, but from a visual standpoint, it’s incredible. This is something people will be excited about.”

The outgoing DW12 chassis debuted in 2012 and, aside from the addition of the aeroscreen and the hybrid system, has remained largely unchanged for 16 years. The hybrid system has generated considerable debate because the DW12 was never designed to accommodate its additional weight, leading to handling and performance concerns. Several drivers have been outspoken about the added weight and the challenges it created.

What’s Next

The first on-track testing of the IR-28 will begin this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This gives teams nearly two years to help refine the package before its competitive debut in 2028. Many fans are skeptical of the claims that the new car will break track records, but voiced excitement over the return of LED side panels. The new side panels will display real-time running order, pit stop times, and other race data.

The new car looks noticeably more aggressive, with styling that many fans say resembles a blend of modern IndyCar and Formula One while still maintaining IndyCar’s identity. INDYCAR officials hope the cleaner aerodynamics will lead to more side-by-side racing, particularly on road and street circuits, without sacrificing the close oval racing the series is known for.

The announcement represents the most significant technical overhaul for the series since the introduction of the DW12 in 2012. Rather than simply updating the bodywork, IndyCar is introducing a lighter chassis, a redesigned hybrid system, and new 2.4-liter powerplants. These changes, the series hopes, will define its next era of competition. With nearly two years of testing before the IR-28 makes its competitive debut, teams and drivers will have ample opportunity to refine the package before a new chapter in IndyCar racing begins.

Image via IndyCar