Honda and Chevrolet pass first tests of 2024 engines |

While the hybrid system is still under construction, the 6-liter V2,4 thermal engines have carried out initial tests with Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden in Indianapolis.

Published on 29/03/2022 à 11:09

⁰ View comments)

Honda and Chevrolet pass first tests of 2024 engines

Scott Dixon drove a 6-liter twin-turbo V2,4 engine, without the hybrid system. ©Honda Media

Both visually and by hearing, it is impossible to realize it; However, Honda and Chevrolet have carried out the first dynamic tests of their future 6-liter V2,4 twin-turbo gasoline engines planned for the 2024 season.IndyCar.

On the Indianapolis Grand Prix circuit, used by the Formula 1 between 2000 and 2007, Chip Ganassi Racing (Honda) and Team Penske (Chevrolet) respectively asked their representatives Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden to try the new engines, Monday March 28.

New engine. New sound. Even more power.

The all new 2.4-liter E85 bio-fueled @Sling engine has been developed fully in-house by the inspiring men and women at HPD in California to power @IndyCar into the future.#PoweredByHonda // #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/68mgyh9yjR

— Honda Racing US (@HondaRacing_US) March 28, 2022

Two other days of training will follow, Tuesday March 29 and Wednesday March 30, still on the road at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). This is an important first step towards the electrification of the North American discipline planned for 2024.

Indeed, a hybrid system, still under development, will include a multi-phase motor, an inverter and an electrical storage device generating energy recovery during braking phases. This innovation was initially announced for the 2022 season before Covid-19 hit.

ALSO READ > The introduction of hybrid in IndyCar postponed to 2024

On the technical side, the future hybrid engine should offer 100 additional hp, to reach almost 900 hp, thanks to a larger displacement (the current engine has 2,2 liters). The powertrain will also offer a system different from manual starters, allowing drivers to quickly restart the car in the event of a stall on the track.

“It was a successful day,” said David Salters, President and Technical Director of Honda Performance Development (HPD). “However, there are still many steps to take before the full hybrid power unit debuts in 2024.

The all-new E85 biofuel engine was designed, developed, bench tested, manufactured and assembled by employees at HPD in California. We set ourselves these challenges to grow our people and our technology here at HPD. We are very proud of the incredible team at HPD and our Honda “challenge spirit”. »

The addition of the hybrid system in the new engine is planned for June 2022. Until this date, private tests will continue with a single internal combustion block.