INDYCAR has announced that all engines for the IZOD IndyCar
Series from 2014 forward will be equipped with twin Borg-Warner turbochargers.
After Lotus dropped out of competition due to a problem-filled 2012, returning
engine manufacturer Chevrolet squared dual superchargers against Honda's
single, and dominated the season. Next year should show better performance and
a more level playing field.
IndyCar engines represent remarkable feats of engineering
and experience. These 2.2 liter (135.25 cu in) turbocharged V6 engines weighing
a mere 114 kg (250 lbs) might be an appropriate size for pushing along a
mid-sized sedan, but pump out about 650 horsepower at up to 12,000 rpm. A
combination of direct and indirect fuel injection allows these tiny engines to
swallow the enormous amount of fuel needed to achieve such power.