A third automobile manufacturer will join the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2012. Lotus will build an engine and aero kit for the next-generation car in the series.
This will be the first time Lotus has produced an engine for IndyCar competition. The addition of Lotus gives the IZOD IndyCar Series manufacturer representation from the U.S. (Chevrolet), Europe (Lotus) and Asia (Honda).
Based in Norfolk, England, Lotus has competed in a variety of motorsports disciplines since the legendary Colin Chapman founded the company in 1952, including Indy car racing, Formula One and sports cars. Jim Clark drove a Lotus chassis to victory in the 1965 Indianapolis 500, and Lotus sponsored the KV Racing Technology car driven by rookie Takuma Sato in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series.
The IZOD IndyCar Series announced in June that that its next generation of engines would be more powerful and efficient than the current formula – along with being relevant to the public and automobile industry.
The 2012 platform allows manufacturers to produce engines with a maximum of six cylinders. The engines will be turbo charged producing between 550 and 700 horsepower to suit the diverse set of tracks on which the IZOD IndyCar Series competes. All engines will run on E85. Additional details on the fuel platform to be announced at a later date.