Developed by Honda Performance Development, the
U.S.-based arm responsible for the brand’s racing designs, the package is the
result of a comprehensive process similar to those HPD used to build its Le
Mans prototypes. Penned using the latest in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the concepts were then validated on
Driver-In-Loop simulators before becoming full-size prototypes. Testing took
place in wind tunnels at first, with final adjustments made in a series of
on-track tests with the assistance of the Andretti Autosport team.
The cockpit of the new race car is standard IndyCar,
meaning its main features are a multifunction steering wheel, a IndyCar-spec
racing seat with a multi-point harness, and all the safety bits common to a
modern racer.
Since Honda had nothing to say about the engine
powering its 2015 IndyCars, it’s safe to assume the Japanese are supplying a
mildly enhanced version of last year’s unit. All six teams will have the same
twin-turbo, 2.2-liter V-6 powerplant, with aluminum block and head, double
overhead camshafts, electronic combined direct/indirect fuel injection, and
drive-by-wire electronic throttle control. The engine comes in three setups,
generating 575 horsepower for speedways, 625 horses for 1.5-mile ovals, and 675
horsepower for road courses. These figures are identical to Chevrolet’s V-6
IndyCar mill.
Honda’s design looks much more aggressive than
Chevy’s. That’s not to say the HPD-bodied cars will be more effective at the
track, but it’s refreshing to discover that a manufacturer can still deliver a
package that’s not just aerodynamic and in accordance with IndyCars’
regulations, but also appealing to look at.
