{"id":4080,"date":"2026-10-16T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4080"},"modified":"2026-10-16T12:06:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T15:06:51","slug":"indycars-2028-revolution-takes-shape-as-dallara-builds-first-six-ir-28-chassis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/indy\/indycars-2028-revolution-takes-shape-as-dallara-builds-first-six-ir-28-chassis\/","title":{"rendered":"IndyCar&#8217;s 2028 revolution takes shape as Dallara builds first six IR-28 chassis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dallara has manufactured six IR-28 monocoques<\/strong>, marking the beginning of production for IndyCar&#8217;s 2028 chassis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chevrolet and Honda are expected to receive their first cars in <strong>November 2026<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The manufacturers will begin integrating and testing their new <strong>2.4-litre twin-turbo V6 hybrid engines<\/strong> ahead of the 2028 debut.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dallara has begun manufacturing the first production chassis for IndyCar&#8217;s new IR-28<\/strong>, completing six monocoques as the championship prepares for its biggest technical transformation in more than a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The development, revealed by <em>RACER<\/em> on Thursday, October 15, marks a significant milestone in the programme to replace the DW12-based car that has been used since 2012. With the first major structural components completed, attention is turning towards delivering development cars to Chevrolet and Honda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two engine manufacturers are expected to receive their initial IR-28 chassis in <strong>November<\/strong>, allowing them to begin preparations for the installation and validation of the new 2.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid power units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The programme has already progressed through tests at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Sebring International Raceway, providing engineers with the information needed to approve the principal chassis structure for production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Alex-Palou-IR-28-Teste-Sebring-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1020318244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Alex-Palou-IR-28-Teste-Sebring-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Alex-Palou-IR-28-Teste-Sebring-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Alex-Palou-IR-28-Teste-Sebring-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Alex-Palou-IR-28-Teste-Sebring-2-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Alex-Palou-IR-28-Teste-Sebring-2.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00c1lex Palou drives the new IR-28 (Photo: Indy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chevrolet and Honda prepare for first IR-28 deliveries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IndyCar vice-president of competition and race engineering Mike O&#8217;Gara confirmed that the two manufacturers are approaching an important stage in the development process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Honda and Chevy will be getting cars soon,&#8221; O&#8217;Gara told <em>RACER<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The official explained that receiving the cars would allow the manufacturers to begin assembly, component installation and structural testing before their next on-track development sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first cars are not expected to run with the new manufacturer-specific engines until spring 2027, giving both organisations several months to prepare the equipment and complete additional validation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">O&#8217;Gara indicated that the teams would use the initial period for work including chassis assembly, body fitting, torsional stiffness measurements and seven-post rig testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These procedures are particularly important because the IR-28 represents a complete redesign rather than another aerodynamic update to the existing DW12 platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IR-28 completes crucial Sebring testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The beginning of production follows a successful two-day test at Sebring on October 12\u201313, when <strong>\u00c1lex Palou and Alexander Rossi evaluated the IR-28<\/strong> on one of the most demanding surfaces used in American motorsport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sebring&#8217;s combination of asphalt, concrete and substantial bumps provided a different challenge from the smoother Indianapolis road course and oval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/indy\/indycar-takes-2028-car-to-sebring-for-first-test-outside-indianapolis\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO reported from the latest IR-28 development programme<\/a>, the test was designed to examine how the new car responds to uneven surfaces and the demands associated with street circuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Palou represented Honda during the first day, while Rossi drove for Chevrolet on the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sessions followed earlier running at Indianapolis, including the car&#8217;s first road-course tests and its initial oval evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rossi had previously <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/indy\/video-rossi-puts-indycars-new-ir-28-through-its-first-oval-test-at-indianapolis\/\">completed the IR-28&#8217;s first oval test at Indianapolis<\/a>, helping Dallara assess aerodynamic stability and mechanical behaviour at higher speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The results have allowed IndyCar to advance towards full production approval, although some smaller components remain subject to further refinement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New IndyCar engine becomes the next major challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The IR-28 is being developed around a new generation of <strong>2.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid engines<\/strong>, replacing the current 2.2-litre power units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Initial chassis testing has used an Ilmor-built development engine, allowing Dallara and IndyCar to evaluate the car before Chevrolet and Honda introduce their final 2028 specifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">O&#8217;Gara acknowledged that the current test engine does not represent the performance that the manufacturers expect from the completed power units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next phase will therefore involve integrating the new engines with the chassis and ensuring that the complete package operates reliably under racing conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IndyCar, Dallara and Firestone will continue supporting the manufacturers during that process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new car is also designed to be approximately <strong>45kg lighter<\/strong> than the existing machine, with improved aerodynamics intended to reduce turbulence and make it easier for drivers to follow competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Safety improvements include a redesigned cockpit, enhanced side-impact protection and an aeroscreen integrated into the chassis structure from the beginning of the design process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The full package was detailed when <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/indy\/indycar-unveils-next-generation-car-stepping-into-a-new-era-for-2028\/\">IndyCar unveiled the IR-28 in July<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When will the IR-28 make its IndyCar debut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Dallara IR-28 is scheduled to enter competition at the beginning of the <strong>2028 IndyCar season<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current DW12 platform will remain in service throughout 2027, allowing teams and manufacturers to complete testing and prepare for the transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next major development milestone is the delivery of the initial production chassis to Chevrolet and Honda, followed by the first tests using their new-generation power units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> will continue following the development programme and the championship&#8217;s technical transition through its <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/indy\/\">IndyCar coverage<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dallara has already completed six monocoques for IndyCar&#8217;s next-generation IR-28, with Chevrolet and Honda preparing to receive their first development cars as the 2028 technical revolution moves into production.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020318245,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"\u00c1lex Palou","42wp_featured_image_credits":"IndyCar","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_ai_content_disclaimer":"","42wp_is_ai_content":false,"42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":7,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[753,851,9,150],"42wp_author":[7],"class_list":["post-4080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indy","tag-chevrolet","tag-dallara","tag-indycar","tag-ir-28","42wp_author-victor-martins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4080","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4080"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4080\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4081,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4080\/revisions\/4081"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020318245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4080"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=4080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}